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Woman Adopts 6 Dogs With Special Needs And Now They’re All Living Their Best Lives
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Woman Adopts 6 Dogs With Special Needs And Now They’re All Living Their Best Lives

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Finding forever homes for pets with special needs is hard. After all, they require more attention and care. Tracey Fowler from Mendon, Vermont, however, is up for the challenge. Since she lost Hayden, her beloved German Shepherd, a few years ago, Tracey has been adopting pups others walk past in animal shelters, and now her gang consists of eight pet dogs. She calls them The Fowler Herd, and with Tracey’s help, these adorable dogs are living life to the fullest.

More info: Facebook

“Hayden crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a battle against a dog illness called degenerative myelopathy,” she told Bored Panda. The dog fought the brutal disease long and hard and eventually ended up needing a wheelchair. But the paralysis didn’t take away his spirit. Tracey said the cute dog kept playing until his last day.

Missing the rolling of Hayden’s wheels, she decided to honor his resilience and make a difference for other dogs like him. “I currently have eight pet dogs,” Tracey said. “Six being special needs and 2 being [German Shepherds I had before adopting the others.]” As you can imagine, Tracey warns her visitors not to get their feet rolled over.

Not only do The Fowler Herd constantly enjoy Tracey’s sincere love and affection, but they also have a blast with each other. Especially during the winter. When snow covers the areas surrounding her residence, Tracey swaps her pups’ wheelchairs for skis so they can continue their games outside.

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The kind-hearted woman agreed that this kind of dog adoption isn’t for everyone, but she also said taking care of them isn’t that difficult. “If you are afraid of poop and pee, maybe adopting a special needs pet is not for you. If you’re OK with it, honestly, it’s no different than if they were walking.”

As for The Fowler Herd, they plan to just keep rolling and skiing. “If we are able to show one owner there is another option besides saying goodbye [to their sick pet], then that’s what our goal is.”

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Image credits: The Fowler Herd

Watch The Fowler Herd enjoy themselves in the woods

People are applauding Tracey for making a difference

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 235 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Rokas Laurinavičius

Rokas Laurinavičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 235 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

Read less »

Mantas Kačerauskas

Mantas Kačerauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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justforfacebook avatar
ƒιѕн
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doggies on skis, love it! They get around so good and look like they are having so much fun.

haleemabibi99 avatar
Haleema
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a very special lady looking after very special dogs. Bless her and the dogs.

muriel-gillespie avatar
Muriel Gillespie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are still truly amazing people left in the world. Dogs do not have the psychological hang ups after losing a limb, they just want to get on with life and with the help of this terrific family they have been given the chance to do just that.👏

madelinemace avatar
Blueberry Woofle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep seeing dog pictures with the exact same dog toys I have! Also these special floofs are adorable!!

lisa_schwall avatar
Lisa Schwall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is such a blessing to watch the Fowler Herd everyday! They strum my heartstrings and put the biggest smile on my face on my worst days! They love their Momma and are such happy furbabies! I Love them! As always my thanks and love to Tracey for doing what she does!

miraculousladybugfanladybloglover avatar
Miraculous Ladybug Fan Ladyblog lover
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. What a lovely lady! Taking care of so many disabled dogs would not be easy, yet she still does it. Thank you.

aliyaclark avatar
Aliya Clark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you soo muuch for doing what others couldn't or wouldn't do. The dogs clearly enjoy your company or they would certainly not be as happy as they are now. also I SAW A BLUE HEELER THEY ARE THE BEST

shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a calling she has. It's beautiful how the sepherds help the other dogs and well, shepherd them.

jw_5 avatar
J W
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we need more wonderful people like you right now. I’m so glad you took the initiative to give these doggies the beautiful life that they deserve. I live each and every one of them and would be thrilled to take care of special needs pets also. Bless your gorgeous soul. 😊

nulnemoo avatar
Nul Nemo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That lady is a very, VERY special human being! 💕💞💖

3142322 avatar
Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so awesome! I think maybe one day I'll try to do the same for cats, since cats are often neglected

jamesleigh875 avatar
James Loves Japan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watching those adorable dogs. Just heartwarming. Absolutely heartwarming. We need more of that type of people in the world

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of them have the back legs gimped. Is it always the back legs with that condition? I'm amazed how fast they get around. I felt bad for the little one with the wheelchair with caked snow. That would get hard to move in fast.

justforfacebook avatar
ƒιѕн
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doggies on skis, love it! They get around so good and look like they are having so much fun.

haleemabibi99 avatar
Haleema
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a very special lady looking after very special dogs. Bless her and the dogs.

muriel-gillespie avatar
Muriel Gillespie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are still truly amazing people left in the world. Dogs do not have the psychological hang ups after losing a limb, they just want to get on with life and with the help of this terrific family they have been given the chance to do just that.👏

madelinemace avatar
Blueberry Woofle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep seeing dog pictures with the exact same dog toys I have! Also these special floofs are adorable!!

lisa_schwall avatar
Lisa Schwall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is such a blessing to watch the Fowler Herd everyday! They strum my heartstrings and put the biggest smile on my face on my worst days! They love their Momma and are such happy furbabies! I Love them! As always my thanks and love to Tracey for doing what she does!

miraculousladybugfanladybloglover avatar
Miraculous Ladybug Fan Ladyblog lover
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. What a lovely lady! Taking care of so many disabled dogs would not be easy, yet she still does it. Thank you.

aliyaclark avatar
Aliya Clark
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you soo muuch for doing what others couldn't or wouldn't do. The dogs clearly enjoy your company or they would certainly not be as happy as they are now. also I SAW A BLUE HEELER THEY ARE THE BEST

shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a calling she has. It's beautiful how the sepherds help the other dogs and well, shepherd them.

jw_5 avatar
J W
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we need more wonderful people like you right now. I’m so glad you took the initiative to give these doggies the beautiful life that they deserve. I live each and every one of them and would be thrilled to take care of special needs pets also. Bless your gorgeous soul. 😊

nulnemoo avatar
Nul Nemo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That lady is a very, VERY special human being! 💕💞💖

3142322 avatar
Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so awesome! I think maybe one day I'll try to do the same for cats, since cats are often neglected

jamesleigh875 avatar
James Loves Japan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watching those adorable dogs. Just heartwarming. Absolutely heartwarming. We need more of that type of people in the world

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of them have the back legs gimped. Is it always the back legs with that condition? I'm amazed how fast they get around. I felt bad for the little one with the wheelchair with caked snow. That would get hard to move in fast.

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