Our Inspiration

Today we share with you the story of Peanut. Although Peanut was only with us for a short time, his courage and determination changed our lives.

Peanut was our first Mexican dog – a tiny 6 week old Chihuahua.

From the start he was a very special little puppy, never afraid of anything or anyone. Always full of life. He loved to go out walking and meeting our friends, but his favorite activity was to walk and play on the beach, he just loved it. Soon after, we found him a playmate Spud.

They became inseparable, eating, playing and sleeping snuggled up to each other, Spud was four times his size but Peanut was always the boss! If he wanted to eat first – he did! If he wanted the toy Spud had – one yip from him and the toy was his!

Everything was perfect until one morning we woke to discover that Peanut could not stand.He was dragging himself around on his front paws, unable to use his back legs at all.

We rushed him to the vet where he was checked over and x-rayed. It was then discovered that two of his vertebrae at the top of his spine had separated, trapping the nerves. The vet informed us that whilst not common, it was a trait with this kind of small dog and there was not much he could do.

We sadly took little Peanut home, knowing that there was really only one outcome. We just couldn’t bring ourselves to do it, not just yet.

Over the next couple of days Peanut would continually try to stand. He became distressed at his inability to go outside and relieve himself.

Over and over again, he tried to stand. That’s when Andy made the decision to try and build him a wheelchair. He had no idea how to do this, but after looking at some ideas on the internet, he constructed a wheelchair using some spare bits of materials he had lying around.

We were both amazed the first time Andy gently placed Peanut in his chair. He immediately ran off across the room – it was incredible how happy he was! We took him outside and off he went! Andy couldn’t stop laughing, Peanut’s head was darting left and right and his little tail was wagging so hard, it was a sight to see.

Although happy in his chair, Peanut still tried and tried every day to stand on all fours. His determination grew and grew until, for a 48 hour period, he did nothing but struggle over and over again to stand. Stopping only to eat, take short naps and bathroom breaks.

Imagine our shock and surprise when we awoke one morning to find Peanut standing proudly on all four feet, complete with wagging tail!

To this day we do not know how he managed to get up. Within days he was walking around unaided. Over the next couple of weeks he regained 80% use of his limbs and could even climb stairs. However, he could not run and would tire quickly. To see this once crippled puppy walking again made our hearts swell. Although he still used his chair occasionally, he was once again able to take the beach walks he loved.

Things were great for about a month when sadly, Peanut suddenly lost the use of his back legs once more. This time he appeared much weaker.

We again rushed him to the vet, only to be told that his little body was shutting down.

He appeared to have a congenital problem in his brain and this time there would be nothing we could do for him. And so we took him home as he wasn’t distressed or in pain, just weak and tired.

The next morning his strength had all but gone and we knew the end was near. We took him to his beloved stretch of beach one last time, but instead of digging in the sand and dipping his toes in the ocean he just lay on a blanket in the shade with only his gently wagging tail to show that he knew where he was.

We took him home, tucked him into his little bed with his favorite blanket and told him that although he would be sadly missed, it was ok to go.

That night little Peanut went to sleep for the last time.

The next morning at daybreak we buried him under a tree on a deserted part of the beach he loved so much. No-one but us knows where his grave is.

Peanut was only ten months old when he passed. We feel privileged to have known him as he taught us an important lesson: No matter how hard things are, no matter what life throws at us, if we don’t give up we can achieve miracles.

He was only a tiny puppy but he had such a huge heart. His courage and determination was the inspiration for the Peanut Pet Shelter .

To see a video of Peanut in his wheelchair, click here