new yorkie puppy - no kneecaps??
 

We adopted a new puppy over the weekend. His name is Howie and we adopted him from a local rescue. He was dumped at the rescue by the breeder because he was "unsellable" due to being born without any kneecaps in his back legs. Everyone at the rescue adoption would look at him and say "oh he's so cute, we'd take him if it weren't for his legs" and when I heard that it sealed the deal for me and I took him home that day!!

We meet with the rescue's vet in a couple of days to go over Howie's previous treatment plans and get his records/xrays to take to our own vet. I've never heard of a dog being born without kneecaps. His back legs do not bend AT ALL. His hips move, and actually they tend to fly out to the side (so he waddles like a duck - which is where is name came from - Howie is short for Howard the Duck). Anyway b/c of his hips being like this I have to tape his back legs together, hip width apart, for 10-12 hours a day.

He doesn't seem to car about his legs as he can still run and play. He has even figured out how to get up ALL the stairs in our house!! He just hasn't figured out how to get down yet without rolling. lol. He is a fast little booger and does his darndest to keep up with his big sisters.

You can check out pix of Howie here .

What a wonderful story. I wish the best for Howie and you. Howie has definitely won over your heart. :)

He is simply adorable.
I am glad you adopted him, he looks very happy!

He is adorable - what an awesome story! I totally admire people like you!

Wow! Ive never seen anything like that before... poor baby! I hope the vets can do something for his hips so he does not need his legs tied anymore! Other than that, he is ADORABLE! I can see why you took him, what a SWEET SWEET pup!!! Congrads to you on your new baby! :)

Awwww..what a cutie! :thumbup: Five Gold Stars for you for adopting him. He looks incredibly happy to be in your home!:thumbup:

Oh, he's the cutest little thing! Bless you for bringing him into your heart and home!

Thanks everyone. He has definitely won our hearts over for sure! He is such a little lover boy. He has found his voice too (probably thanks to his big sisters teaching him I'm sure) and has the cutest little bark. Its so much fun seeing him wrestle with Tinkerbell. I put the girls in Howie's pen at the rescue so they could get acquainted and see if they would get along. He and Tink took to each other INSTANTLY, playing, etc. Its like they were made for each other. Stormy (our chihuahua mix) is a little unsure of him. I think its a mix between jealousy b/c she's not the baby anymore, and uncertainty of this little puppy that she's afraid she'll hurt since she's a bit bigger than Tink and Howie (Stormy is 12 lbs versus the 6 and 7 lbs of Howie & Tink). I'm sure she will warm up to him soon though.

We will be opening up our pool in a few weeks (if the weather cooperates) so I'm going to talk to the vet about doing water therapy with him. We've let him swim in the bath tub and he really seems to like it, and I would think it would be good to help strengthen his little hips. I'll keep ya'll posted.

OMG! He is so darn cute! You can just tell he has loads of personality! Cheers to you for rescuing this baby! Love his name too - what a doll!

He's adorable and that was great of you to do! When I was up rescuing Coco last weekend, the rescue also had a young Peke pup with the same issue. She had no kneecaps and her hips were way out to the side. She ran and played and had such a fabulous personality. I wanted to take her home so badly but she was spoken for. Sadly the person who spoke for her still hasn't shown to get her. But regardless, I can understand how your heart went out for this little one!

Congragulations on your new home Howie!!!! Howie is very lucky to have you!!!

Aw, what a cutie Howie is! That face! He's so fortunate to have an angel like you!

Awwww, I hope the adoptive parents show up soon. If they don't show up within a certain amount of time would the rescue let you have her?

I dunno...I took another one home that day (the puppy mill Yorkie that I came for). I am definitely staying on top of it. They have a very hefty price tag on her as well of course!

O he is just adorable! Howie is soo lucky to have you. Congrats!!