My name is Wyatt!

Hi- I’m Wyatt! I'm a special guy because I don't have use of my 2 hind legs! Some of you have seen all my adorable pictures and videos and have been following me since the day I was rescued! If you haven’t I recommend you go search my name on the AZ Happy Tails Facebook page so you can see how I move & what I’ve been up to!

As cute as I am, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a LOT of work! My mom and I thought it might be a good idea to describe a typical day in our lives so interested families could have a better idea of what it takes to care for me. What comes next is pretty long, but what can I say- I’m a busy puppy! Also, after you read what I have to say, my mom lets you know what will make the best forever home for me. Here we go…

When I wake up in the morning my foster mom gets my breakfast ready while I wait in my crate. I bark and hop in my crate in an attempt to get her to hurry, and let her know I'm starving, but she tells me to be patient and that there are four others that need to be fed, too. I’m a puppy, waiting is HARD!

Before I go in my play pen area to eat, Mom changes my belly band that is soaked from the night. I wear a belly band all day because I have no bladder control and if I’m not wearing one, I pee all over- all day long. Next, she checks my crate - sometimes I poop in there in the morning. If I have, Mom cleans my crate and replaces the sheet that's in there. I have to wait in my play pen this whole time! Without breakfast!!

After I gobble up breakfast and get a big drink of water (the water bowl can't be left in my crate or pen or I try to show Mom I can carry it, but instead dump it out), Mom waits for my morning poop if it hasn’t already happened. Once I've pooped, she wipes me, and it's time to get in my wheels! During my first 10-15 minute wheel time, Mom does another round of cleaning-up after me and changes any papers in my pen that have poop or pee.

My mom’s gotten really good at this, so from start to finish this takes about 30 minutes and then it's time for Mom to start work - good thing she works from home. Mom set up another play pen for me right in her office so I can see her because I will bark and bark if I don't get to be in the same room.

During our 8 hour work day, I periodically get a water bowl and since I have no bowel control, Mom cleans up my poop, wipes my bottom, and changes the papers in my pen as needed. Every two or three hours my belly band gets changed and I get 10-15 minutes out in my wheels. I love the other dogs and the cat in my house, but Mom has to keep an eye on my foster sister's when I'm rolling. I move a little different, so I can make them nervous.

Most days after work is when we get to do my swim therapy. We don’t have a pool at home, so my mom loads me into the crate in our car and we take a trip to a friend’s pool! We swim 10-15 minutes, which I’d rather not, but my physical therapist says it’s good for me.

When we get home, that usually means it's dinner time! Like breakfast, I wait in my pen while she gets everyone's dinner. I still try to get her to go faster. It doesn't work.

After dinner there are more belly band changes and wheel sessions and poop clean up. Of course, we always make sure to spend time snuggling and playing- I’m just a puppy and I’m always ready to play!

When Mom puts me in my crate for bed, that's when she starts the daily laundry. There are lots of sheets and belly bands every day. Mom also replaces all the papers from under both of my pens and cuts new papers so they are ready for the next morning.

Man, I'm a busy guy huh?!

 
Wyatt is an amazing puppy, but he’s looking for a very particular forever home.

Right now, Wyatt is just a puppy. His body is still growing so his continued therapy is our number one priority because we anticipate, when full grown, he will be close to 50 pounds. He is behind in his motor skills, but he has already shown improvement in strengthening his weak and atrophied muscles. To continue the progress and to ensure Wyatt reaches and maintains peak physical development, he must have time to swim daily along with multiple opportunities to cruise in his cart. Although at this point, he is small and pretty easy to put into his harness and cart, he will need someone who, even when fully grown, is able to physically lift and maneuver him or get him back on his feet when he tips over his cart.

Wyatt needs a steady stable high protein diet. The highest quality nourishment will support his optimal growth. Wyatt will NEVER have bladder or bowel control. Aside from bed time, he requires a diaper change every 3 hours, so he cannot be crated for long periods of time and he’ll need a family with flexibility to be home when he needs them. We do not use a full diaper; only the male diapers to contain urination. If he wears a full diaper and sits in poop, it will burn his skin. With a proper diet and consistent feeding schedule, he is on a fairly regular poop schedule, so it can be easier to predict when he will poop.

Wyatt needs home with a yard, a fenced pool, and little to no stairs! He needs BIG spaces with flat surfaces. Due to the size of his cart, he needs BIG open spaces with flat surfaces both indoors and out. He needs room to run and turn because even with open spaces it is likely he will knock over things and run into people.

As a bonus, Wyatt would do best with a patient, playful dog in the house as both a playmate and a teacher. In addition to his special needs, Wyatt has many of the traits of a typical puppy- he chews, cries, whines, and barks. He needs a home with a lot of patience along with clear rules to help him become a well socialized and well behaved dog.

Wyatt is neutered, micro chipped, and up to date on his vaccines. His adoption fee is $300.00. For the chance to bring this amazing pup into your home, please complete an application at happytailsaz.org.