Paralysed puppy is finally able to go for a walk after charity donate wheelchair

Go Westie! Paralysed puppy named Pumpkin is finally able to go for a walk after charity donates wheelchair and strangers raise more than £6,000 for specialist vet care

  • Pumpkin the puppy couldn’t walk after being born paralysed in her two hind legs
  • 11-week-old West Highland terrier could only move by dragging body forward
  • Tammie Fox, 41, started a fundraiser for the pup to receive specialist treatment 
  • Finally able to walk after wheels were donated from Winstons Wheels Charity


A paralysed puppy has finally been able to go for her first proper walk after a kind charity donated a wheelchair. 

West Highland terrier Pumpkin was born paralysed in her two hind legs and could only move by dragging her body forward using her front paws. 

Earlier this month, the pup’s foster mum Tammie Fox, 41, from Lincoln, started a fundraiser for specialist vet treatment and has raised more than £6,000 in less than a fortnight. 

Nail technician Tammie was also donated a set of wheels from disabled dog charity Winston’s Wheels and is delighted that 11-week-old Pumpkin can finally run around the park.

West Highland terrier Pumpkin was donated a set of wheels from disabled dog charity Winston’s Wheels and has finally been able to go for her first proper walk

Tammie Fox, 41, from Lincoln, fostered 11-week-old puppy Pumpkin after she was surrendered by a breeder to charity Breeds in Need

Tammie Fox, 41, from Lincoln, fostered 11-week-old puppy Pumpkin after she was surrendered by a breeder to charity Breeds in Need

‘I’m totally overwhelmed,’ said Tammie. ‘It still doesn’t seem real. I only ever thought that people who knew me would donate.

‘I’m absolutely blown away by people’s generosity.’

Winston’s Wheels is a Suffolk-based charity which aims to raise money for dogs with disabilities or illnesses that prevent them for walking. 

It was founded by Rachel Wettner, whose nine-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, lost the ability to walk without a wheelchair after he was diagnosed with a tumour in 2017. 

Pumpkin's foster mum started a fundraiser for specialist vet treatment and has raised over £6,000 in less than a fortnight

Pumpkin’s foster mum started a fundraiser for specialist vet treatment and has raised over £6,000 in less than a fortnight 

The puppy, pictured sleeping at home, was given away aged 10 weeks and Tammie has fallen in love with Pumpkin since taking her in, planning to formally adopt her

The puppy, pictured sleeping at home, was given away aged 10 weeks and Tammie has fallen in love with Pumpkin since taking her in, planning to formally adopt her

Pumpkin was surrendered by a breeder to charity Breeds in Need aged 10 weeks and Tammie has fallen in love with Pumpkin since taking her in, planning to formally adopt her.   

‘When I first met Pumpkin nine days ago, I was an absolute emotional wreck’, said Tammie. 

‘It broke my heart to see her with these disabilities and unable to walk.

‘I fell in love with her instantly, and so did my husband Richard and our kids, Maddison-Belle, ten, and Ziggy, four. Even Smiggle the dog loved her.

Pumpkin was born paralysed in her two hind legs (pictured)  and could only move by dragging her body forward using her front paws

Pumpkin was born paralysed in her two hind legs (pictured)  and could only move by dragging her body forward using her front paws

Pumpkin was born paralysed in her two hind legs (pictured)  and could only move by dragging her body forward using her front paws

Pumpkin is set to visit a specialist vet in Surrey for an appointment and MRI scan next week who can tell nail technician Tammie more about her disability and future treatment needs

Pumpkin is set to visit a specialist vet in Surrey for an appointment and MRI scan next week who can tell nail technician Tammie more about her disability and future treatment needs

‘Pumpkin is a proper character, full of personality and she just loves cuddles.

‘We both decided we wanted to adopt her permanently the day we got her, it was love at first sight.

‘We know we can give her the love and care she needs – I’ll sell my car if I need to.’

Pumpkin is set to visit a specialist vet in Surrey for an appointment and MRI scan next week who can tell Tammie more about her disability and future treatment needs.   

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