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Paralyzed Pooch Finds her Legs Despite Accident

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ANDOVER, N.J. -- It is hard enough for stray dogs to live on the streets of New York City, but one dog had her luck pushed –- when she became paralyzed after being hit by a car.

It happened on Thanksgiving Eve 2007, the stray dog, nicknamed Ellie, was struck on Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive in New York City.

In a twist of serendipity, the accident placed the stray dog, estimated to be about five years old, at the right place and time to meet Beth Mersten.

"We are driving in New York City, took a bunch of wrong turns -- thanks to our GPS, that I put the wrong address in," said Mersten, board member of Shelter Showcase, who was lost trying to drive to the Animal Medical Center.

Mersten and another board member, David Cruz, came across the accident, where a police cruiser had responded to the scene and was keeping Ellie protected from oncoming traffic.

“She look lost, she just looked out in the air, into the distance just holding herself up in pain,” Mersten said. “She didn't know what to do. She was going into shock."

That's when Beth kicked into action.

"We all together loaded the dog onto the back of our SUV,” Mersten said. “(And) drove her to the closest emergency hospital."

During the drive, Mersten says Ellie kept edging closer to the front of the vehicle to be near Cruz and herself.

“We could see how Elle was getting worse and we were afraid she wouldn't even make it to the hospital,” Mersten said.

Ellie did make it -- and after getting treated -- she was in stable condition. But the prognosis was dim.

“Initially we were hopeful,” said Dr. Karin Dashfield. “However when we found she had no deep pain, we felt the chances of her walking again were very, very slim."

Ellie was suffering from Ellie suffered from a dislocated hip and bruises to her spine.

Dr. Karin Dashfield explains that -- at that point -- she felt that Ellie would survive but only as a wheelchair dog

The poster-child for canine happiness, Ellie makes it hard to believe, looking at her now, that a couple months ago she was expected to never walk again.

But the true survivor has walked away from tragedy with a new lease on life, honoring her namesake of Eleanor Roosevelt.

After she was found on FDR Drive, rescuers noted her gender and stoicism to aptly name her after the late First Lady of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"Saving her life was worth it -- it was the right step,” Mersten said. “We could save her and even if her prognosis wasn't good, her prognosis for living, as Dr. Karin said to me that day, was 99 percent good."

Given those odds, Mersten asked Dashfield to do everything possible to help Ellie, including surgery. Dashfield agreed.

"We should give it a shot because she's a great dog and deserved every chance she can get,” said the vet.

After the surgery -- Dr. Dashfield and Mersten had an unexpected, pleasant surprise.

"It was a couple of weeks before she was able to do anything and the first thing she did that showed us she had nerve control was she started to wag just the very tip of her tail," Dashfield said.

And by Christmas Eve -- amazingly against all odds -- this cheerful dog took her very first step after the accident.

Now, Ellie has completely healed from the surgery and is getting used to walking and running again.

While Ellie’s life is just getting back to normal, Mersten says the dog’s outlook has always been the same.

"We couldn't have a conversation without kisses being constant -- I mean the number of kisses going on were just incredible,” Mersten said. “So it really showed me that she has the ability to bond and whoever gets to have this dog as their dog is going to get a very loving, cuddly dog."

Ellie has been staying at the Pequest Valley Kennel since the accident.

She has been receiving canine therapy and is now ready for a permanent home.

"I think her perfect home would be someone who is looking for a very special dog with a special story," Mersten said.

And the special story includes this little thing called fate since Beth accidentally found Ellie right after she was hit.

"Where we found her was absolutely no where where we were supposed to be,” Mersten said. “We were not supposed to anywhere near that location.

"We weren't supposed to be there but clearly we were meant to be there, that was really special.”

For more information on Ellie, or if you are interested in adopting her, visit sheltershowcase.com or e-mail Beth at beth@sheltershowcase.com.

Tell us what you think about “Paralyzed Pooch Finds her Legs Despite Accident” below, and be sure to watch the video of this story at the top of your page. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.



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187 comments found.
1 2 3 4
 
Ann P.
Ann P. (basadorheeler)
7 months ago
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It made me cry. What a happy story.
 
buckking
buckking
7 months ago
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it was sad the dog was hit but 2 angels picked her up and took her on to help, glad things worked well
 
Alison L.
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Great story. I am glad that they helped her. What a pretty baby!
 
MICHELLE G.
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I did just check Sheltershowcase.com and see that Ellie was adopted! No more details were given, I hope she is happy.
 
Renee  M.
Renee M. (rap7176)
7 months ago
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Aww! Wouldn't it be great to hear an update!
 
MICHELLE G.
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I think back and wonder about many stories I have read on here. I would of loved to adopt Ellie, she was so cute!
 
Laura  J.
Laura J. (LAJess)
7 months ago
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Thanks for posting the update - glad she was adopted. I'm sure someone compassionate and caring has her and she'll have a great life!
 
MICHELLE G.
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This was a great story. It was fate that brought them together. I'm so glad this dog was helped, I would love to hear an update to see if he has a forever home. What a lucky dog!! And he is a beautiful dog too!!
 
Chris G.
Chris G. (Kelpie)
8 months ago
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That is just amazing, what a heart warming article. WONDERFUL
 
Joanne S.
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This dog and this story touched my heart. Our spirits are so much stronger than we realize if we just tap into them.
 
blackie1
blackie1
8 months ago
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Wonderful story
 
Gail  H.
Gail H. (coopiedo)
8 months ago
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Hope Ellie is living happily ever after in her furever home.
 
Joelle  T.
Joelle T. (johell)
8 months ago
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thank goodness they took a wrong turn.. it was meant to be!
 
Sylvia  M.
Sylvia M. (SylviaM)
8 months ago
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Thank goodness their GPS took them to this spot it was ment to be
 
sunnysdad
sunnysdad
8 months ago
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What a great story! Lucky, lucky dog.
 
Kristin C.
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Great story of survival and fighting to live. Glad the GPS got them lost!
 
R.T. F.
R.T. F. (rtfitch)
8 months ago
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What a lucky dog...in more ways than one!
 
Heather B.
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They are heroes for stopping to save her.
 
Jene & Jan *.
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I would have had a hard time putting the dog up for adoption after all she went through.
 
ArthurCurtis
ArthurCurtis
9 months ago
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How resiliantan animalis. We humans need to take a few lessons from them
 
CloveS26
CloveS26
9 months ago
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wow
 
oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
9 months ago
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That is amazing that Ellie is able to walk and run--what a survivor.
 
Claudia
Claudia (HSSAZ)
9 months ago
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I hope that Ellie found a good home by now. I wish her the best.
 
Jackie L.
Jackie L. (Dakotagal)
9 months ago
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It was fate that this kind woman found this poor dog and saved her. I really hope that Ellie has found a forever home. I wish there would be an update.
 
Ralph M.
Ralph M. (Ralph1)
9 months ago
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I hope by now Ellie is in a forever home.
 
kevinskats
kevinskats (ko35)
10 months ago
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There might still be hope for humanity.
 
carol  s.
carol s. (cstefonek)
10 months ago
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These people were in exactly the right spot at the right time. To become "angels" of mercy, and make the difference between life and death. Heartwarming to hear when people truly care and act towards that end
 
Missy M.
Missy M. (Mshan)
10 months ago
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People like this are amazing
 
John H.
John H. (JohnH)
10 months ago
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People like this should have automatic sainthood.
 
LilyK
LilyK
11 months ago
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I wish the care and compassion we show to animals would rub off on everyone. There was no need for these people to look after the dog and, yet, they did. I wish there would be no need for stories like this since they were the norm and not the exception.
 
Ella D.
Ella D. (dworn100)
11 months ago
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this is so great
 
Megan R.
Megan R. (CatLadyMegan)
11 months ago
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What an amazing story of an amazing dog! She is such a trooper! I am sure she will find a special and loving home, she sure deserves it!
 
jennifer r.
jennifer r. (jjenika1)
11 months ago
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What a great story!
 
Linda T.
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Great story.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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Marnie B.
Marnie B. (mb4cats)
1 year ago
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There ARE miracles all around us...hope Ellie found a wonderful home!
 
Lauren A.
Lauren A. (latkins)
1 year ago
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<span>this comment has been removed from the system</span>
 
Lauren A.
Lauren A. (latkins)
1 year ago
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<span>this comment has been removed from the system</span>
 
Sue G.
Sue G. (wingett)
1 year ago
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I hope this special dog gets a home, she deserves to live the rest of her life in a good home after what she went through. An amazing dog and an amazing person to help her.
 
Pam
Pam (pammyj3)
1 year ago
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I'm so glad everything worked out for Ellie. I just love happy endings.
 
Mary T.
Mary T. (marytorio)
1 year ago
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I'm glad to hear her prognosis is good.

But as the owner of one dog who used wheels for a year and enjoyed every minute of it and another dog who is going to need wheels in the near future, I have to point out that there CAN be positive quality of life without the use of the hind legs! This article kind of makes it sound like needing wheels was equal to low-quality of life. Please check out the video of my Joker on the beach with his wheels if you need to see it to believe it.
 
patty
patty (mikkizmom)
1 year ago
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Yes I would say fate played a part. Lucky girl!
 
beverly y.
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what an amazing dog
 
Sydney  S.
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Oh my goodness! How amazing!
 
Carol L.
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What a wonderful idea: It pleases me to death that there are still people who can come up with an idea that will be pet friendly. That dog is so pretty. I would like to live somewhere like that.
 
Margie R.
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Thank God for caring people. Sweet dog!
 
ChicoanVolunteer
ChicoanVolunteer
1 year ago
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Aww, great story! I'm glad to hear she's doing so well!
 
MaxxieBrown
MaxxieBrown
1 year ago
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If that isn't being at the right place at the right time, I don't know what is. I believe in fate, and if Ellie hadn't been hit, she may not have had a chance at a forever home. Good things come to those that have unfortunate events.
 
Rainie
Rainie (RainieA)
1 year ago
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It is amazing how some dogs are forever loving and loyal to the human race, even though a human is what led to this dog being a stray in the first place. For a stray to have that much trust in a human to care for her and also to forgive those who have injured her.

We often only see news about those dogs that have no trust of humans and seem to be forever scarred by the mistreatment they received from humans. This kind of story makes you realize that not all dogs put up those "walls" and some of them have big open hearts.
 
Judy M.
Judy M. (MMaxie88)
1 year ago
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I hope Ellie gets a wonderful forever home
 
kadiquilts
kadiquilts
1 year ago
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Dogs are incredible. Great story!
 
Wendy S.
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What a wonderful and heart-warming story. Animals are so amazing in their love and spirit.
 
Tara C.
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I'm glad this dog got a happy ending to a sad story.
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