Wheelchair dog becomes a model and encourages the adoption of animals with special needs

Toquinho is a wheelchair dog who lives in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul) alongside his tutors, the couple Mariana Brino and Neto Marques. With his own social networks, Toquinho exudes cuteness and still surprises with his independent lifestyle. Throughout his life, the puppy faced several obstacles, but he overcame them all and today he is a “model dog” who encourages the adoption of special animals.

O awesome.club decided to learn more about the story of Toquinho, who is an example of courage for many people. And, at the end of the post, we prepared a bonus to show you all the photogenics of this little dog. Check it out!

It all started in 2013, when Toquinho was abandoned at a veterinary clinic in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), where his tutor Mariana works to this day. At the time, the puppy was only 3 months old and was diagnosed with a serious spine fracture. Even though they were aware that Toquinho’s condition was irreversible and that the animal would be paralyzed, Mariana and the other clinic employees spared no efforts to increase the animal’s chances of survival and, thus, have a better quality of life. For this, the employees raised money among themselves for a surgery that would stabilize Toquinho’s fracture.

In addition to a very invasive surgery, Toquinho still had to face, at the same time, another battle and, this time, against distemper, a highly contagious disease among dogs that affects the nervous system, which can leave sequelae or even lead to death.

Toquinho contradicted the high mortality rates of distemper, which can reach up to 80%, and overcame all stages of this disease. However, even cured, he carries a sequel: he does not have full control of his tongue, which leaves him partially out of his mouth. This feature has become its trademark and is pointed out by many as a charm.

Spine surgery was successful but, as expected, the puppy would not move its hind legs and would need a wheelchair to get around. Thinking about it again, Mariana made a crowdfunding, together with the employees of the veterinary clinic, to buy the first wheelchair for Toquinho.

The little dog that lived in the veterinary clinic was then adopted by Mariana. And with each passing day, Toquinho surprised people with his life force. The wheelchair did not restrict the animal from running, playing or getting up to various pranks.

Mariana posted photos of the puppy on her own social networks, and it was so successful that space was too small for so many compliments. In view of this, her tutor created accounts on Instagram (@otoquinho) and Facebook (“O Toquinho”) to publicize her pet’s daily life. And she also created a YouTube channel (“Toquinho”) that brings together videos of the little dog in full action in the practice of physiotherapy, sports and participation in television programs.

With the growing popularity on social media, the public had more access to the puppy’s story. Some even started to get in touch to ask if there would be an old wheelchair from Toquinho to donate.

In the beginning, Mariana and her husband, Neto Marques, who is also Toquinho’s tutor, bought the wheelchairs for donations with their own money. But over time this became unfeasible, as they are quite expensive.

Until Mariana’s husband had the idea of ​​creating products (cap, cup, t-shirt, gourd, etc.) with the brand “Toquinho” and reverting 100% of the amount raised to the purchase of wheelchairs intended for donation to animals that have been proven needy — the “Chairs Project” began there.

What motivates Toquinho’s tutors to maintain social networks and the “Chair Project” is realizing that the dog’s history of overcoming challenges and the independent lifestyle encourage people to adopt and persevere in caring for special animals.

Much loved by his tutors and followers, Toquinho is now 6 years old and continues to show all his briskness and charm in Internet🇧🇷

Check out more photos below, in which Toquinho proves that there are no limits to cuteness.

Do you know a story similar to Toquinho’s? Do you already have or would you adopt an animal with special needs? Tell us and put your photos here in the comments. 🇧🇷