Picture: Winnie before (left) and after her rehabilitation treatment.

Rehabilitation and care allows Winnie to live a normal life.

A dog who came into the RSPCA with deformed legs is now a scentwork dog, competing in trials across the UK.

Winnie, an American bulldog, was rescued by RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District Branch as a nine-week-old puppy in July 2019.

Arriving at the centre, both of Winnies front legs bent at the knee, and her legs would buckle under her weight. 

Team member at the branch, Kathy Butler, said of Winnie: “We had her assessed and a specialist clinic found she was suffering from a developmental disease of the carpus (or wrist) where the ligaments and tendons had formed abnormally and couldn’t support the joint. 

“They gave us a treatment plan and we started her therapy immediately while looking for a special foster home that could take her on and help with her rehabilitation.”

Winnie found her perfect foster home, which quickly turned into her forever home. Wendy Linge, Winnie's owner, said: “It felt like the perfect set-up at the perfect time.

“I wasn’t looking for another permanent dog but fostering sounded ideal. When Winnie arrived she was a bouncy, sweet puppy but was very disabled.

“To look at Winnie today is unbelievable; her transformation has been amazing. Her rehabilitation journey has been a long one with months and months of hydrotherapy.”

After every hydrotherapy treatment, Wendy noticed an improvement, and Winnie is now able to stand on all four of her paws.

After a difficult start in life, with the RSPCA team unclear about what Winnie's future held, the plucky dog has now joined K9 Scent and Search UK, and is taking part in scentwork trials across the UK, progressing through the various levels of training.

Wendy added: “At home, Winnie is such a friendly dog and loves everyone she meets. I couldn’t have wished for a better dog to join our family; it just goes to show that sometimes, when you least expect it, the dog you need comes along!”

Image (C) RSPCA