It’s not like rescue dogs don’t already have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Dana Holden says of Leonard, her Dachshund mix, “They think some sort of tumor is forming, impacting on his spine.”
Leonard responds to Dana’s call and lumbers along the floor on his hind legs to get to her. She is grateful for his persistence and sends him compliments, peanuts, and affection. Dana replies, “His leg is just not getting the messages.”
Leonard, despite his mobility problems, is as charming and cuddly as ever. The screen-saver image on Dana’s laptop, which she uses at work as a fifth-grade teacher, showed off Leonard’s charms in all their glory.
“When I would project it for the class, they just thought he was really funny,” Dana says. “They just love him. They loved hearing stories about Leonard.” It was only a matter of time until 9-year-old Leonard came to meet Dana’s 11-year-old students.
“They were so excited,” Dana says. “Lenny the celebrity.” It was during that school visit that Leonard’s legs caught the eye of one particular boy.
Emmett Rychner was his name. You might recognize him.
Emmett was three years old eight years ago. Formed a friendshipWith his next-door neighbour, WWII veteran Erling Kindem. Emmett & Erling became viral thanks to a viral video.
Millions of people spent time sharing articles about the couple via social media, which appeared on KARE 11, and NBC Nightly News.
Emmett is 11 years old when he saw Leonard fall last spring. Emmett’s thoughts began to circulate. “And I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to make a wheelchair for that dog, and the entire class agreed.”
Emmett was the class problem solver. Are you looking for a fountain that can be used to water your dog? Emmett designed one. Do you want a cool bag to hold your lunch? Emmett also designed one.
But Emmett’s biggest task would be making a wheelchair for Leonard. Emmett never lost sight of his goal over the next few months. His teacher was impressed.
“I mean, a lot of kids will say that they can do something, but to actually have that follow-through and persistence,” Dana says is something she doesn’t often see in her fifth graders.
“I think he has just an empathy, and whether that’s from Elring, or just who he is, he’s got that in him already,” Emmett’s former teacher continued. Emmett didn’t want to lose interest.
“He was just the sweetest dog ever and I thought I’ve got to do something to help him,” Emmett says. Emmett’s first design was a bust. A trial run with Leonard in front of Emmett’s classmates ended in disappointment.
“It was not big enough, it was not long enough, his legs couldn’t slide all the way down into it,” Emmett says. “He looked sad at first, I was worried,” Emmett’s mother, Anika Rychner said.
Emmett’s father, Bryan Rychner, says the let-down his son felt was fleeting. “Then it was home, ‘I’m going to do this and make it better.’” Emmett was prepared for Leonard to try a different design a few weeks before the start of the new academic year.
After learning from his mistakes, Emmett built a wheelchair with bigger wheels. For nighttime walks, Emmett added rear and front lights. Leonard was taken by Dana to Emmett’s basement workshop after being lowered down his stairs.
Teacher and pupil sat down together, and the friendly Dachshund was placed in the chair. The seatbelts were adjusted.
Dana shouted at Leonard to come, as she took a few steps back. It was effortless.
Leonard glided through the room effortlessly, his front legs pulling along his movements while his rear legs pulled him along.
“Lenny, oh my goodness,” said Emmett, smiling broadly.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I just love finally seeing him walk.”
And yes, there are companies that make dog wheelchairs, in fact, one recommended by Leonard’s vet.
Dana smiled and recalled the conversation. “I said, ‘Nah, I’ve got somebody I know.”
Source: Kare
