We saw the most amazing story of a Siberian Husky’s medical miracle on the local news. It was about a dog named Triumph who survived having her two back legs amputated, who came to Denver to get a chance at a normal life with prosthetic legs!

prosthetic legs for dogsTriumph’s story began in Turkey where she was found beside the road bleeding–her rear legs had been cut off. She was taken to a shelter where the first of many miracles began – they treated her wounds and kept her alive instead of having her euthanized as most would have. Her story was put in the paper there and for the next two months they tried to find her a home. Unfortunately, no one came forward; but two volunteers who worked with the shelter took a liking to her and began the huge effort of trying to find someone who was willing. They contacted a friend in Philadelphia who put the story up on the Siberian Husky rescue sites with a picture of the dog standing on a stainless steel table with a look that was hard to ignore. It was sent via email to a woman in Nashville who has worked for years with the most severely abused dogs, damaged either physically or emotionally. Marion Moeller, “Moe” as her friends call her, said when she first read the story and saw that the injured dog was in Turkey, she deleted the story thinking there was nothing she could do. Then later that same day, another person sent the same photo with the same plea, “can you please help this animal”. To Moe this was a sign she was supposed to do something and so she began getting more information. Ultimately Moe after 6 weeks of effort, was able to get a plane reservation for the dog, but it took a lot of money and a lot of convincing to get an international airline to agree to transport Triumph in her condition. Most of the $2100 was paid out of Moe’s own pocket.

Moe knew of a man in another town who made prosthesis for humans. When called, Tom came forward and volunteered to giveDog gets artifical legs making some prosthetic legs a try. After several trys Tom fashioned some prosthesis that had Triumph up and walking. Her story doesn’t end there however, ultimately (and after several more miracles you can read about in detail in Triumph’s story in her own words) she came here to Denver and met with Carrie at Colorado Rehab and Alameda East who introduced them to Dr. Robert Taylor who was able to offer a brand new cutting edge surgery that hadn’t been done before.

Artificial legs for dogEighteen months and seven surgeries later, “She’s runnin’ with the big dogs now,” said Moe.

Prothesis for dogs

It took months for the skin and the bone to grow into the special foam metal. Triumph fought infection, and had to have one of the prostheses replaced. Now her doctor in Denver and her owner from Nashville hope the patient can finally be a pup again.

“The reason that we did this is so that she could lead a normal life,” said veterinarian Robert Taylor. X-rays show the newest implant in the right leg looks good, but Moe had concerns about the left because Triumph was licking it constantly. Blood tests showed bacteria causing a relatively minor skin infection, something her doctor said should be easily taken care of with an antibiotic. Dr. Taylor is pleased and Moe is ecstatic that Triumph, finally can go be a dog. And apparently it’s tough to keep up when Triumph takes off. The hope is she’ll come back to Denver from time to time, back to where the beautiful husky made medical history.

Please click the image below to view the news story, you will be astonished and moved.

Dog gets prosthetic legs

You can read the complete news story on CBS4Denver.com, and visit Triumph’s own site, TriumphTheDog.net to read her history and get updates. Also, this week Triumph is being featured on an episode of Animal Planet’s “E-Vet Interns,” so you can set your Tivo and see more of Triumph’s amazing Triumph!

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