Diane Raible of White Oak agreed last fall to temporarily foster a small dog that was paralyzed from the waist down after being struck by a car.
It didn’t take long for Raible to fall in love with the 20-pound spaniel mix Dolly, who uses a wheeled cart to get around and must have her diapers changed every two hours.
“She has the happiest little spirit I’ve ever met,” said Raible, who wound up adopting Dolly.
Dolly had such an impact on Raible that she decided to start an offshoot group of Springdale-based Paws Across Pittsburgh called Dolly’s Dogs, which aims to get veterinary and foster care for animals with disabilities.
About seven dogs are part of the program. Paws Across Pittsburgh has about 60 dogs and 40 cats in foster homes, but they do not have disabilities, officials said.
Raible said another special-needs dog, a three-year-old named Cyan that had a leg amputated, was adopted last week.
“She will have a great life,” said Jackie Armour of Springdale, a cofounder of Paws Across Pittsburgh.
Paws Across Pittsburgh has programs in place that can help people cover expenses.
Through its LOVS (Lifetime of Veterinarian Support) program, Paws pays for medical expenses of foster care in some instances.
“We have some very dedicated volunteers and foster people who make it possible,” Armour said.
Paws volunteer and Arnold resident Joe Kubiak adopted Mikki, a Lhasa Apso with diabetes. The seven-year-old blind dog needs insulin and other care that the Kubiak family provides. Paws Across Pittsburgh is getting donations to pay for the expensive medicine and medical care so that Mikki gets a loving home even when the costs are too much for an average volunteer.
“She’s such a loving dog,” Kubiak said.
