When Huck’s family purchased him from a breeder, they immediately noticed that something was different about this Bulldog puppy.
The family started to find that the little dog was unable to control his potty habits and they were fearful that something seriously wrong. Returning to the breeder, they tried to give Huck back, but they refused. Instead, they gave them another healthy puppy instead.
The family was too scared that something would happen to Huck if they didn’t try their best to take care of him, so they decided to take both dogs to the vet clinic. Both puppies needed an exam, and the family was hoping for more information on why Huck was experiencing his bathroom issues.
While at Harbor Point Animal Hospital, Dr. Laity performed some x-rays and was certain that Huck had spina bifida.
According to the Spina Bifida Association, spina bifida “happens when parts of the spinal cord and nerves come through the open part of the spine. It causes nerve damage and other disabilities.” After hearing this diagnosis, the family thought it would be best to surrender Huck to the vet clinic.
Dr. Laity ended up taking Huck home for the weekend while she waited for a neurologist to officially confirm the diagnosis. Sadly, a few days later – the spina bifida diagnosis was validated.
Dr. Laity had fallen in love with Huck over that weekend at her home, so she decided to adopt him.
“Dr. Laity couldn’t resist Huck and she and everyone at Harbor Point fell in love with him instantly,” Amy Laity, practice manager at Harbor Point Animal Hospital and Dr. Laity’s wife, told The Dodo. “She couldn’t give him up and risk that he would end up in a home that couldn’t properly care for him, or even worse, end up euthanized.”
Of course, Huck’s condition meant that he would require a lot more care than most dogs, but since Dr. Laity was a vet, it wasn’t going to be a problem at all.
The little puppy needs to wear a diaper all of the time, wears a belly band, and requires a lot of baths – but Dr. Laity doesn’t mind and neither does Huck.
“He loves trying to hop into the bathtub and seems to really enjoy the water,” Amy Laity said. “He has quickly learned to stand and hold still for his frequent diaper changes, and is a really good sport about wearing all of the silly outfits we put him in!”
Since Huck requires lots of attention and assistance, he can’t be left alone for very long. To help deal with this, Dr. Laity came up with a simple solution – just bring him to work! It wasn’t long before everyone that came into the clinic started to swoon over this special little puppy.
Every day, Huck joins Dr. Laity at the vet clinic – since then, he’s become a bit of a local celebrity.
“He participates in doggy day care to help him learn good socialization skills,” Amy Laity said. “In between play sessions, he mostly hangs out with the receptionists and helps greet our clients. People will come in just to see him and take pictures! Last week a client came in just to take a selfie with him and told us that his kids were going to be so jealous because he’s ‘famous.’”
When Huck isn’t hanging out at the receptionist’s desk, he loves to hang out with his three doggy siblings at home – two labs and a boxer. The Laity’s say that the Bulldog puppy is dying to play with his cat siblings too, but they aren’t quite as excited to do the same.
“You really wouldn’t know anything was wrong with him if he didn’t have his diapers,” Amy Laity said. “He is a happy, healthy, playful puppy!”
Want to keep up with Huck and his adventures? Follow him on his new Instagram account!
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