Move over, Dominic Toretto—we’ve got our own speedster on wheels over here, and her name is Henne! This freckled sweetie with giant ears and a big Frenchie grin is on the hunt for her forever home. Maybe it’s yours!

Five-year-old Henne came to FBRN after suddenly losing mobility in her back legs and underwent emergency spinal surgery. Unfortunately, she did not regain full movement in her back legs, but fortunately, she hasn’t let a li’l ol’ thing like partial paralysis slow her down or steal her smile. Henne is as resilient as the day is long, and she’s adapted to her circumstances with heart and determination. Sure, she may drag her hind legs behind her, but that doesn’t stop her from chewing bones, chasing stuffies, and playing with her favorite ball. Henne loves going out and about in her stroller, charming everyone she meets. And now that she’s got her wheeled cart, look out! Henne almost jumps out of her skin with excitement when she sees her wheels come out, and now she can romp around the yard and play fetch with the best of them. Of course, when playtime is done, Henne is also a first-class snoozer and top notch snuggler. You won’t find a little dog with more love in her heart than this one.

Henne will require more care than the average dog, but we promise you that she is so, so worth it. Because she is bowel incontinent and has only limited control over her bladder, she wears a diaper in the house and any time she is not outside. She has gained some bladder control from her hard work at physical therapy, but she tends to leak when she scoots, likely because she can’t quite tell the difference between the muscles used for body movement and those used for peeing. Her bladder does not need to be expressed every time she urinates, but it’s good to make sure it’s empty before any sort of excursion. Due to her urinary incontinence, Henne is also vulnerable to UTIs, so she must be monitored for infection and take a daily cranberry supplement. It is possible she continues to regain bladder and bowel control, but this is where she is at currently.

It’s also essential that Henne’s new family take the utmost care to protect her back and keep her muscles fit. When moving Henne, it is important to keep her back and hind legs supported, and she must never be left unattended on furniture or near stairs. When she is sleeping or left unattended, she stays in an x-pen, as this is much easier to lift her in and out of compared to a crate. Henne also has her very own pack-n-play, which gives her an enclosed and padded area to safely hang out.

The perfect home for Henne is one with dedicated, loving people who are up to the challenge (and reward!) of caring for a paralyzed dog. Henne’s new family should have sufficient access and resources to provide her with regular PT, and also be willing to continue her at-home PT exercises and treatment. A fenced yard, preferably with grass, is also preferred, as this gives Henne the chance to regularly play outside (since she drags her legs, she cannot be on concrete or rough surfaces unless she is in her cart). Henne gets along great with dogs, cats, and kids, but any children in the house must understand her limitations and the need to protect her back. Same goes for other dogs — any resident canines should be mellow and not predisposed to wrestling and rough play. Most importantly, Henne needs a family that will include her in their daily activities. Henne loves being out and about, and would be very depressed if she were home by herself all day. She’s the type of dog who wants to join you on walks to the coffee shop, Sunday brunch, and everywhere in between!

Henne’s foster mom would (and has!) moved mountains for this darling girl, and says, “Henne is one of the best dogs I’ve fostered. She just wants to love you. She’s way more than her disability and while many people will be scared of all the work she brings with her — she is worth every bit of it. She lives life with abandon, loves her people and has so much joy – she needs someone who will help her realize her best self.”

If you think you have what it takes to be Henne’s happily ever after, then please fill out an application to adopt and tell us why you’d make the perfect match. Just be prepared to travel — Henne is enjoying the crisp autumn air and the scent of pumpkin spice in the great state of Delaware, and will not be shipped.

FBRN dogs are in foster care in people’s private homes. For the foster families’ safety, we do not disclose specific locations, and we don’t set up meet and greets prior to applications. For detailed information about the dogs in our care, please read the extensive bios on each dog.