Brutus, a quadruple amputee Colorado dog, is now learning how to walk with the help of four prosthetic limbs.
Brutus is a 2-year-old Rottweiler that lives in Loveland, Colorado. He is the second dog to receive four prosthetic legs, according to New York Daily News. Brutus' foster mother Laura Aquilina said in an interview that her dog has "peg legs." He uses them to move around relatively well inside their home. However, Brutus is still getting used to wearing the four prosthetic legs. Aquilina explained that her dog does not understand that the artificial legs will benefit him.
The Colorado resident uses exercises to help improve the canine's balance. However, she hopes that Brutus will later achieve "higher functioning" including hiking, running, and playing. Colorado State University continues to provide rehabilitation for Brutus.
Brutus lost his legs due to frostbite on each of his four paws. His breeder amputated the dog's legs himself, causing him to become crippled. Brutus' first family had many problems with the everyday demands of caring for him, such as carrying him up and down stairs. So Aquilina adopted him last June.
Aquilina and Laura Ormelas raised almost $12,500 online for Brutus' new legs and rehab, through the "Better Paws for Brutus" campaign. Brutus was given his OrthoPets during last fall.
Martin Kaufmann, founder of the aforementioned prosthetics company, described Brutus as an incredible case because he can do standard "doggy things," according to WWLP. Kaufmann's company yearly manufactures prosthetics for around 250 animals globally.
Aquilina is delighted that her pet pooch inspires other animals that have disabilities.