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3-Year-Old Girl Without Feet Receives A Puppy Without A Paw
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3-Year-Old Girl Without Feet Receives A Puppy Without A Paw

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In a beautiful twist of fate, Sapphyre Johnson, a 3-year-old toddler in Tennessee who had both of her feet amputated when she was only one year old, has been given a cute puppy with whom she shares a special bond – the nine-week-old pup is missing one of his front paws as well.

Sapphyre was born with missing toes and fingers, and her feet were amputated so that she could be fitted with prosthetics free of charge by the Shriners hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Her puppy, Lt. Dan (named after the character in Forest Gump), probably would have been euthanized had his previous owner, Karen Riddle, not realized that he could be the perfect companion for someone just like Sapphyre.

More info: greenvilleonline (h/t: huffpost)

3-year-old Sapphyre Johnson’s feet were amputated when she was 1

When she first saw Lt. Dan, who was missing a paw, she said, “That’s my puppy. He’s just like me”

Some breeders suggested that the puppy’s breeder, Karen Riddle, put him down

She knew, however, that he could be a great therapy dog

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“A lot of kids don’t see other children or animals that have issues like they have,” her father told the Greenville News

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“In the future, I could see Sapphy at her first show-and-tell in school and she could bring in her dog and explain about her dog and herself,” said a hospital specialist

“Everybody loves dogs and they’ll want to know about her dog that’s special like her”

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bubamara avatar
bubamara
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always thought that kids and animals are great combination for many, many reasons! Deepest respect to both and to those that support them!

roswald_c_walton avatar
RoswaldWalton
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful to see, I hope they share many lovely memories together and show people that there's nothing wrong with being different!

gracebarclay avatar
GraceBarclay
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you to the breeder who had such stunning foresight! You have given joy & happiness to 2 soul mates.

DrMoonMusic18 avatar
SelenePats
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful and special bond they both have.

JulieFrancis avatar
JulieFrancis
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I love more than friendships between childs and dogs are a friendship like this.

catherine_persaud66 avatar
CatherinePersaud
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check out Fitz Patricks Referrals in Surrey UK for prosthetics.....he is amazing!!!!

richard_lincoln1 avatar
RichardLincoln
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a great story and an adorable dog! How could anyone have even suggested euthanizing that puppy just because it is missing a paw?

FurnishMyWay_Blog avatar
FurnishMyWay_Blog
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story is so heart warming. I think it's precious that this little girl and that precious pup have a special bond over missing feet/paw!

carol.mcclellan.5 avatar
CarolMcClellan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad that Karen realized there was work Lt. Dan could do even though he's missing that paw. The two of them have good work to do..

LazyDonkey13 avatar
Maruska
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't get why the pup should've been euthanized. People are crazy.

azirjusufi avatar
AzirJusufi
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

very cute , here i found a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHxEk0BWuY

Tiari avatar
Tiari
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do I understand this right? The girl had both feet amputated, because she was missing some TOES? That sounds barbaric to me...

SlowGepard avatar
AdamPogorzelski
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the story, but... Damn... I just imagine the feelings, when the dog will pass away. Despite that - it's gonna be great time till that

bubamara avatar
bubamara
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always thought that kids and animals are great combination for many, many reasons! Deepest respect to both and to those that support them!

roswald_c_walton avatar
RoswaldWalton
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful to see, I hope they share many lovely memories together and show people that there's nothing wrong with being different!

gracebarclay avatar
GraceBarclay
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you to the breeder who had such stunning foresight! You have given joy & happiness to 2 soul mates.

DrMoonMusic18 avatar
SelenePats
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful and special bond they both have.

JulieFrancis avatar
JulieFrancis
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I love more than friendships between childs and dogs are a friendship like this.

catherine_persaud66 avatar
CatherinePersaud
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check out Fitz Patricks Referrals in Surrey UK for prosthetics.....he is amazing!!!!

richard_lincoln1 avatar
RichardLincoln
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a great story and an adorable dog! How could anyone have even suggested euthanizing that puppy just because it is missing a paw?

FurnishMyWay_Blog avatar
FurnishMyWay_Blog
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story is so heart warming. I think it's precious that this little girl and that precious pup have a special bond over missing feet/paw!

carol.mcclellan.5 avatar
CarolMcClellan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad that Karen realized there was work Lt. Dan could do even though he's missing that paw. The two of them have good work to do..

LazyDonkey13 avatar
Maruska
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't get why the pup should've been euthanized. People are crazy.

azirjusufi avatar
AzirJusufi
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

very cute , here i found a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHxEk0BWuY

Tiari avatar
Tiari
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do I understand this right? The girl had both feet amputated, because she was missing some TOES? That sounds barbaric to me...

SlowGepard avatar
AdamPogorzelski
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the story, but... Damn... I just imagine the feelings, when the dog will pass away. Despite that - it's gonna be great time till that

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