Meet Cooper, A Dog Who Was Born Without A Neck And Has Half A Spine But Has Succeeded In Finding His Forever Home

“He looks like he has no neck and to look behind him he has to turn his whole body.”

Maryjane

• Published in Animal Stories
• July 24, 2023

There are times we come across stories of animals who are born with different disabilities and we can't help but feel sorry for them. Even dogs that appear a little oddly gorgeous in their own unique manner deserve loving, excellent homes.

Today's story is about Cooper who is a disabled dog but has managed to find a permanent home for himself. Despite having an extremely rare birth condition and being born at a puppy factory, Cooper is doing well with his loving family.

It's just like one extremely special dog who battled because of his peculiarities but ultimately found the ideal home. He was born with no neck and just half a spine.

A hereditary disorder known as "short spine syndrome" causes Cooper, an American foxhound, to have fused and compressed vertebrae. He is one of few 30 dogs worldwide, according to the Daily Mail, that have the illness.

“His spine is fused in two places – on his neck and on his rear,” owner Elly Keegan explained, per the Daily Mail “He looks like he has no neck and to look behind him he has to turn his whole body.”

The unusual-looking dog had a difficult early life. Given his birth deformity, he most likely came from a puppy farm near Halifax, Virginia.

He probably developed his impairment as a result of puppy factory inbreeding.

Meet Cooper, the dog that was born with a short body and no neck but has managed to find a loving family

He was transported to Secondhand Hound, a shelter in Minnetonka, Minnesota, after being discovered by rescuers in 2017. Unfortunately, the first home he was placed in didn't work out since he liked to chase the cats there.

But Elly Keegan and her family quickly became Cooper's ideal home. While many people would look past a dog with such an unusual appearance, or worse, he would have been put down due to his condition, Elly has a soft spot for dogs with disabilities and is determined to provide Cooper with the care and attention he needs.

Cooper would require medical attention, according to Elly, who had the assistance of Secondhand Hounds. The dog first experienced a few health setbacks, including a fall that resulted in a five-part neck fracture and a bone infection.

Cooper's condition has, nevertheless, improved in other ways.

Click the video to watch Cooper and his adorable family

Elly claims that due to a congenital abnormality, he essentially had his "butt on his back," but surgery has improved his ability to use the restroom alone. Cooper is the "happiest dog," according to Elly, and people are always pleased to see him.

“Wherever he goes he draws attention but he really revels in it. He has a lot of fans on Facebook,” Elly told Daily Mail. “He’s such a friendly dog.”

Even dogs with unique requirements or those with slightly distinctive appearances deserve to be loved and cared for. We are very happy that Cooper has found the ideal home where he will be accepted for who he is. 

Maryjane