In June, Ed & Penny Woelfert of Boyne City, Michigan donated a doggie wheelchair cart to Rally. The cart belonged to their late Airedale, Bear, who had just crossed the Rainbow Bridge due to illness. Bear came from an abusive/neglectful background and always had trouble with his rear legs. Bear Woelfert left the cart to Rally in his Last Will and Testament. Here you can see Ed presenting the cart to Rally along with a three-foot rawhide bone.

This photo was taken in front of a nice hotel in Detroit, Michigan when Ed delivered the wheelchair. Rally, in his usual accommodating fashion, allowed ATRA volunteer Patty Eisenbraun & Ed to strap him into the cart and pull him along. He washed Ed's face with happy kisses. Rally was not able to support his weight in front without help - Patty held his full weight on this initial trial run. We hoped to modify the cart with extra front end rails.

Rally was not very impressed with the free wheelchair but he sure loved the big rawhide bone! In fact, this was to be his favorite possession and he chewed on it faithfully each day and also used it for a headrest when napping. Rally knew if he didn't guard the bone carefully, another of his canine siblings would snatch it when he wasn't looking!

After his bath Rally liked to be wrapped in a towel and allowed to lounge with his friends. Here he is lying next to terrier-mix Dozie and a couple of his toys.

Rally attended many public events and parties in his young life. In spite of being paralyzed, he really got around. Here he is at a Fourth of July party in Vermillion, Ohio at Janet & Ken Bartizal's terrier haven (they have adopted many rescue dogs and currently share their lives with six!)

Kate Sitzman, the greatest rescue volunteer ever, is sitting on the ground in the knee brace beside Rally. He had a ball playing with nearly two dozen other dogs at this picnic.

The most wonderful thing for Rally was spending time with friends - human and canine. It was hard for his foster mom to maintain a 'cheerleader's attitude day in and day out. Having foster 'Dales and friends 'Dales visit really pumped Rally up. Here is one of the biggest and baddest Airedales ever to come through rescue - Sir Miles Doo Bop, and his little foster sister, Dozie.

Rally loved the ladies - in May a huge six-month-old female, Lucy, came to stay while ATRA looked for her new forever home. Lucy and Rally spent some happy times together. Lucy Moosey, as this foster 'Dale was affectionately called, and Rally make a mess in the family room with their toys!

Penny, an able-bodied seven-month-old 'Dale, and Rally at eight months. These two had a ball together playing bitey-face and wrestling. Unfortunately by the time Penny came to stay in foster care Rally had grown to almost 48 pounds (the two looked a lot alike!) and could not move around much.

His foster mom would be sure to prop Rally into a semi-sit so Penny could play tug-o-war with him. Rally's jaws and teeth were normal for his age and size - maybe even super-strong!

Continue with the story of Rally HERE