Have you ever met a happy dog in a wheelchair? Here we have one: Pumi was miraculously rescued by the Terra Canis Dog Sanctuary team in the summer of 2024.
Pumi is about 3 or 4 years old, has already had several puppies, and, at barely 7 kg, is a small bundle of energy with an immense amount of love and gratitude for life.
Our friend Lee, who regularly fosters rescue dogs from the Terra Canis Dog Sanctuary with special needs in her own home, recounts how Pumi was rescued:
„An intuition led us to visit a place, where we had previously seen dogs mistreated, and there we discovered Pumi. When she saw us, she crawled out from the bushes and dragged herself across the road towards us. Her fur was matted, she was covered in parasites, and her hind legs dragged across the rocky ground. The wounds on her little legs were deep, some to the bone.“
Pumi sat up and howled—a sound that cut deep into the heart. The desperate cry of a soul sensing its one big chance: ‚Take me with you!’“
A neighbor told them that Pumi had been attacked and bitten in the back by a large dog a few weeks earlier. The attack had broken one of her vertebrae. Her owners—people living in very difficult circumstances—likely decided, perhaps out of financial hardship, not to take her to a vet. When the team saw Pumi’s emaciated and dehydrated body, they knew that Pumi likely had only hours left to live.
At the hospital, Pumi received treatment for ten days. The doctors said surgery was no longer an option because her spine had already healed in a misaligned position. However, the X-ray showed something interesting: medically, she shouldn’t have any reflexes or sensations in her hind legs, yet reality seemed to tell a different story. The doctor said improvement was still possible. And with a wheelchair she can even move around again.
Witnessing Pumi’s suffering so closely, feeling her pain in her own heart, Lee was confronted with a deep understanding.
„I am profoundly touched by her absolute will to live and the joy of life she radiates. She never seems to feel lacking or inferior. She is remarkably self-confident, proudly takes on the role of guarding the garden gate, and races (or rather, rolls) joyfully alongside the other dogs—always winning.“
„The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.“ — Mahatma Gandhi
Lee shares that their family background played a big role in shaping her connection with animals. Her mother, a child refugee of World War II, carried a profound love for nature, and a heart full of compassion for both people and animals.
„Because of her, I grew up in a small home that often resembled a zoo, where different species coexisted in harmony under her loving guardianship. Compassion for animals in need was a fundamental value in our family, something that was uncommon in the village where I grew up. Life was hard, and animals were simply seen as utilitarian—’livestock,‘ just as humans in history were once reduced to ’slaves.’“
„130 years ago, the church remained silent because it was ‚only‘ Black people. 60 years ago, the church remained silent because it was ‚only‘ Jews. Today, the church remains silent because it is ‚only‘ animals.“
— Christa Blanke
Lee is not only a passionate advocate for animals but also a gifted painter. Her deep connection with nature is reflected in her artwork, capturing raw beauty, vitality and resilience, reminding viewers of the sacred bond between humans and animals.
Through Pumi, Lee came face-to-face with a victim of human negligence. Holding her in their arms, she had a choice—does she see her life force and beauty, or does she sink into despair and view Pumi as a burden? Lee experienced both perspectives.
„Part of me knew it was no accident that I found her—that she represented a deep healing mission. At the same time, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain. What was I supposed to do? A paralyzed dog, a being needing so much care, would undeniably impact my life.“
Lee is incredibly grateful that she chose to follow their heart.
„Pumi’s presence, her resilience, and her joy touch me deeply. Over time, I have learned to structure my daily routines so that they align with both my responsibilities and my life’s work. I have also learned to ask for help when needed.“
„The true measure of a person’s character is how they treat those who can do nothing for them.“ — Samuel Johnson
Pumi now has an off-road wheelchair that allows her to zoom happily around the garden. Soon, she will receive one custom-made just for her. She is fully accepted by the other dogs and carries herself with remarkable confidence. In fact, other dogs treat her with great respect.
Pumi got her name because she looks like a little puma—wild and authentic. „We help each other,“ says Lee, expressing gratitude to Pumi, „Thank you for the moments of deep connection. Thank you for the principle of grace. May the mighty call of life continuously knock on our hearts and remind us of the truth beneath the surface.“
If you would like to support Lee, practically (if you live in the area) or financially, in the daily care-taking of Pumi, or to receive regular updates, please write to Lee at dogs@tamera.org
