Dalmatian Dealing With Life On Wheels

There was an interesting story about a Dalmatian named Riley in the latest issue of Tulsa Pets Magazine.  Riley has a degenerative neurological disease, and spends a good part of his day in a special wheel chair.  The News On 6's Rick Wells reports you could say he's a good dog making the best of a bad situation.

Tiffany Barnes Talley has brought Riley to a park in Bixby so The News On 6 could get a look at the special rig that allows Riley to have as normal a life as possible for a dog whose back legs don't work.

Riley has Degenerative Myelopathy, and although his tail wags, he can't move his legs. Tiffany says she started seeing signs a couple of years ago when he would drag one leg.

"When he would chase squirrels he would bunny hop with his back feet," said Tiffany Barnes Talley.

She says he still likes to chase squirrels; he's just much slower now.  A veterinarian found her a dog wheelchair for Riley.

"We used to run on a regular basis," said Tiffany Barnes Talley.

So, Riley was pretty fit.  That, along with a regular regimen now of massage therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy have kept the otherwise progressive disease in check.

"We have different kinds of dog booties for him," said Tiffany Barnes Talley.

Those are designed to keep his hind legs in proper alignment.  Every now and then, Riley will forget he's got wheels.

Tiffany and her husband have rearranged the furniture so Riley has room to roam, the same way you would for a human in a wheelchair.

Tiffany and Riley have been buddies for a dozen years.  The wheelchair thing is relatively new almost a year now, but it has given them more time to enjoy each other and a great day in the park.