Dog in Wheelchair at Rescue for Months Joins ‘Muttcracker’ Photoshoot in Hopes of Finding a Home (Exclusive)

Owen is ready to find a home for the holidays.

In May, an Australian cattle dog arrived at Stray Rescue of St. Louis in desperate need of TLC.

“Our mission is really to save the underdogs of St. Louis City. We take in a lot of medical cases, dogs that wouldn’t have a chance anywhere else,” Julia Gabbert, head of clinic administration at Stray Rescue, tells PEOPLE. non-profit organizations. “We don’t kill, so we’re dedicated to saving animals regardless of their problems.”

Owen came to Stray Rescue with a serious problem: a gunshot wound. Before going to Stray Rescue, Owen was rescued by rescuers in southern Missouri, who found the injured dog dragging his feet. Once rescuers realized the severity of Owen’s injuries, the dog was brought to Stray Rescue, which had the resources to treat Owen.

“We brought him in and he had all this damage to his feet and legs from just dragging himself around and we took X-rays and he had tons of bullet fragments still in his back and spine,” Gabbert says of Owen arriving.

X-ray of dog Owen showing bullet fragments from the dog’s gunshot wound.

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

Stray Rescue believes Owen was “a farm dog that got off the property and went onto someone else’s property where he wasn’t welcome and they unfortunately shot him.”

Owen spent several weeks recovering at a rescue clinic before being moved to the facility’s shelter, where he has been waiting for a home ever since.

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The dog’s injuries healed well, but the damage caused by the gunshot wound left Owen paralyzed in his hind legs. Owen didn’t let this change in mobility slow him down. He quickly adapted to using a wheelchair and returned to enjoying multiple vigorous walks a day.

“The sanctuary environment is a little rough for him because he has so much energy that he can’t really run away like a herding dog. So we take him on two to three walks a day and try to spend as much time outside as possible so he can use up as much of that energy as possible. He he’s got those herding dog instincts,” Gabbert says.

Dog Owen in his wheelchair at Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

She adds that she and the rest of the staff at Stray Rescue are shocked that Owen is still available for adoption even though “he’s a total catch.”

“He’s super laid-back, he loves attention, he loves people. He’s just a really good boy,” Gabbert says.

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To help Owen get out of the shelter and into a home where he can thrive, Stray Rescue included the dog in its annual Muttcracker photo shoot. Filming is the result of the Stray Rescue of St. partnership. Louis, Dancers & Dogs and St. Louis Ballet, where adoptable animals from the rescue pose with Nutcracker performers from St. Louis Ballet for the adorable photos taken by Dancer & Dogs’ Kelly Pratt. Kreidich & Ian Kreidich.

Gabbert hopes the extra attention will help Owen find the ideal home.

Owen the dog, a rescue dog available for adoption at Stray Rescue St. Louis.

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

“He needs someone who can take in a special needs dog and take him for a walk on his wheels at least once a day to get some energy out,” she says.

Those applying to adopt Owen should also know that due to his paralysis, he is incontinent.

“He has no control over when he goes to the bathroom. For a while we had to empty his bladder, but now because of the medication he’s on, he can urinate on his own,” Gabbert explains, adding that Owen has gotten used to using diapers.

Gabbert says foster parents shouldn’t let helping a pet with incontinence scare them away from “such a good boy.”

Owen the dog (right) with a friend.

Stray Rescue of St. Louis

“As long as you’re willing to use diapers and maybe bathe a little more often, you can have a completely normal life,” she says.

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Owen has a lot to offer a lucky adopter. “He’s more than ready for his forever home. He loves people. He’s really good with kids, he’s really good with other dogs. He’s just a really, really good dog,” Gabbert says.

“Whoever adopts this dog will be very happy,” she adds.

To learn more about Owen and other animals available for adoption at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, visit the organization’s website.

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