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Rio - Source: ONE News -
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A Wellington dog with two paralysed legs has been given a new lease on life with her own doggy wheelchair.
Eleven-year-old Rio's vet says it is an example of a growing number of owners who are prepared to try anything for their animal.
Rio lost the use of her back legs three months ago but wheels help keep her paws pattering.
"She goes everywhere. She uses it a bit like a four-wheel drive. She's not aware of the wheels behind her," says Marg Coleman, Rio's owner.
An operation on a compressed disc in her back left Rio partially paralysed. But then the vet came up with a "pawfect" idea.
"Rio's wheelchair cost $700. It was shipped over from the States and it's given her a new lease on life," says Alan Probert, Rio's vet.
Coleman says the wheelchair has given Rio back her spirit.
"When we put her in it she just was happy. It was almost like she was free again so it's been a huge part of her healing process."
But it's only part of the process. Rio also gets weekly accupuncture, physio and electrotherapy sessions - a vet bill costing thousands of dollars.
"People are more prepared to look at physiotherapy, hip replacements cancer treatments, you know all of those things as options to give quality of life to an older animal these days," says Probert.
Coleman says some people look at her family "like we're absolutely crazy spending that money on a dog".
But if Rio gets the use of her legs back as hoped, it will be money well spent.
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