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Little girl without feet gets puppy without a paw

A special puppy for a special little girl.  On Monday, nine-week-old puppy, “Lt. Dan” was given to three-year-old Sapphyre Johnson who is missing both of her feet.

“Lt. Dan, named for the character in Forest Gump who lost his legs, was the only one missing a paw,  owner, Karen Riddle,” said to Greenville online.

Other breeder’s suggested that Riddle should end the puppy’s life, but she knew the pup was meant for something special.

“She knew that was never a consideration. Many of her dogs have become therapy dogs or gone to people with special needs, she said. Instead, the Greenville woman began looking around for special child or wounded veteran with whom the sweet bundle of fluff could find a home, and his special purpose.”

Riddle contacted Shriners Hospital where she found 3-year-old Sapphyre Johnson who was born with a birth defect according to her mom, Ashley Johnson.

“They don’t know what caused it,…But she had just two really long toes on each foot. And when she was 1, we had them amputated so she could be fitted for prosthetics.”

When Sapphyre was shown a picture of the puppy, Lt. Dan, she felt an instant connection.

Elaine Hardin who works at Shriners Hospital said, “The first time I showed her a picture of the dog, she looked at it for a moment, and she said, ‘That’s my puppy. He’s just like me,’ ”

 

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