A dog that was abandoned and born with only two front legs has learned to adapt to life by walking on them.
The dog, Putol, is from the Philippines and has a congenital malformation. Despite this, she can frequently be seen keeping up with other dogs and exploring the streets of Casiguran in Quezon City.
Putol’s name means “chopped” in the Tagalog language, and she has become a beloved member of the community due to her courageous and lively spirit. Her owner, Danilo Codilego Jr., has helped her learn to balance and navigate the world.
Putol came into Mr. Codilego’s life when a former coworker brought four puppies to his workplace.
The rest of the puppies were adopted, but the small two-legged Putol was not chosen.
The belief was that Putol would not survive for very long, and I was the only one with the courage to take her in. Despite the uncertainty, I took a chance on her because I felt compassion for her situation. There were no words to describe our feelings except for empathy towards Putol.
At the beginning of her life, Putol struggled to walk, but after two years of practice, she developed the ability to balance herself using her front legs.
Now, at six years old, Putol is fiercely loyal to her owner and can often be seen guarding Mr. Codilego’s home.
“Putol acts like a watchdog and will bark if she sees a stranger,” said Mr. Codilego.
He also noted that she can become jealous if he gives attention to another dog, but overall, she is friendly and well-liked by the community.
When Mr. Codilego has to go out of town for work, Putol is well-cared for by others and has no problems.
Putol is not a picky eater and enjoys the food that is given to her.
However, due to her condition, she cannot become pregnant.