Pup wheels her way right into adopter’s heart

One adorable, velvety ear sits straight up, and one flops straight down. Soft, brown eyes beseech you to give her kisses on the top of her blocky little head, and if you’re not fast enough with said kisses, she wheels herself over in her custom-made cart to take matters into her own paws, covering you with slobbery kisses. Adorable.

This special little lady arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary after an accident left her hind end paralyzed. She needed a little extra help, but that didn’t slow her down one bit. Her sunny personality charmed everyone she met, including longtime volunteer Ranko Fukuda.

“During the several years I have volunteered at the Sanctuary, I’ve fantasized about bringing home practically every dog I met there. I met Kody and was smitten,” says Ranko, who has fostered pets with mobility issues before. “Her special needs didn’t faze me.”

[Big love for little dog with wheels]

It’s extra special when a pet with special needs goes home, and the excitement at the Sanctuary was palpable when Kody’s caregivers found out Ranko officially adopted Kody.

“We adore Ranko and knew Kody was going to a wonderful home,” says Tim Dempsey, Best Friends caregiver. “She has experience with dogs in similar situations, and she understands that it does not define the dog. Kody needs a cart to walk, but she can still experience joy and happiness like any other dog.”

Kody is also incontinent due to her injury and needs help emptying, or expressing, her bladder, which is a breeze for Ranko. She had already learned to express dogs from a fellow foster caregiver, which gave her confidence to care for Kody.

Dogs are most definitely allowed on her bed, which is low to the ground, making it easy for her to pick up Kody and plop her on the bed where she cuddles all night long. Kody can jump off the bed on her own and uses her powerful front legs to scoot (sometimes at lightning speed) around the house. “She’s superfast at mealtimes, which is hilarious,” laughs Ranko.

She’s even planning on bringing this adorable little nugget to the surf and sand. Ranko’s home in Los Angeles is near dog-friendly beaches, so fun days in the sun and waves abound. Ranko’s looking forward to watching how Kody reacts to seeing the stunning blue waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Adopting animals with special needs is incredibly rewarding, and Kody is no exception. Ranko just sees the sweet, goofy, mismatched-eared soul that is Kody and kisses her on top of her adorable noggin whenever Kody asks.

Nowadays you’ll often find Kody snuggled against Ranko’s legs, zooming around with her speedy wheels, or making new friends with Ranko’s foster animals. This free-wheeling pup with adorable ears is living her best life and experiencing the joy and happiness every dog deserves.

[Love at first sight for corgi in a wheelchair]

“Kody is perfect the way she is, and my goal is to give her the fullest life possible,” says Ranko. “I encourage others to consider adopting an animal with special needs.”

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.