When Your Dog’s Mobility Loss is Caused by a Traumatic Injury

There are many ways for a dog to lose their mobility, but most of the disabled dogs I write about have lost the ability to walk due to a medical condition, a birth defect or an accident. The story below covers another classification. It’s when your dog’s mobility loss is caused by a “traumatic injury” or a “traumatic event.”

Traumatic injuries in dogs refers to sudden physical or emotional harm that needs immediate medical attention, like being hit by a car or falling from a high place. 

It also means experiencing physical harm at the hands of an abuser.

That’s what happened to a sweet puppy named Giorgi when he was just 6 weeks old. The event forever changed his life. It set into motion a journey that took Giorgi to new home in a new country thousands of miles away. 

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Giorgi’s new pet mom

My friend Jill Murray is an extraordinary Registered Veterinary Tech (RVT) and Veterinary Tech Specialist (VTS) who has an endless passion for pets with mobility loss. Over the years she’s cared for dogs, cats, ducks, goats and a deer who needed a wheelchair.

At her day job at the University of Guelph, Ontario Canada, Jill teaches veterinarians about resources for disabled animals and how to get them up and rolling.

In June 2025, Jill took on another challenge. She adopted Giorgi after he and his family fell victim to a machete attack by a group of young children. The traumatic injury left the puppy without use of his two front limbs.

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Giorgi’s story, told by Jill

Giorgi is a mini-Labrador who was born on the streets of Tbilisi, the largest city in the Eastern European country of Georgia. The name of Giorgi was given to him as a reminder of the country where he was born.

Giorgi, his siblings and their mother were street dogs. That means they didn’t have a family to protect them, and they didn’t have a home. Giorgi’s mother tried to keep her puppies safe, but the family was brutally attacked. Giorgi was the only survivor. At just 6 weeks of age, he lost everyone he knew and loved, and he lost both of his front limbs.

Thankfully volunteers at a local animal rescue organization saved his life. They called him Casper because his body had turned white from losing so much blood.

Against all odds, Giorgi survived the ordeal, but due to extremely limited resources, the rescue group knew they couldn’t help the puppy much longer. They reached out to Jill for assistance. They asked if she could become Giorgi’s foster mother.

The group realized that the best chance for the puppy’s survival meant that Giorgi be relocated to a safe home in a stable country. Jill agreed to the arrangement. She would become Giorgi’s foster mom if the group could get him to Canada.

Over the next 10 months, Giorgi waited for his ride to a new family. But despite sharing his story on social media, no one stepped forward to help him get to Canada.

Finally in June 2025, Giorgi got his freedom flight with a kind person to watch over him. They traveled from Istanbul to Washington DC and then drove by car from Maryland to Ontario, Canada. Altogether the trip took 48 hours to complete.

Giorgi’s new home

“Giorgi settled into our home and family life quickly,” said Jill. “And after 3 weeks it was evident that he chose us as his family. We were happy with Giorgi’s decision and immediately changed our plans from foster family to Furever Family. Giorgi was home.”

Giorgi also acquired 4 new dog sisters who are all former street dogs. They include Ayana, Malee and Adey from Ethiopia and Little Gracie from the streets of Oklahoma.

Giorgi became particularly fond of Ayana. The two share the unique bond of using a wheelchair to get around.

“Ayana made taking care of Giorgi her personal project,” said Jill. “She waits in anticipation each morning for Giorgi to wake and every evening for him to come home from work with me, so they can play together.”

What the future hold for Giorgi

Jill reports that Giorgi is a happy, energetic little guy who “always finds a way” to accomplish his goals. He loves to snuggle, play with toys, test everything with his mouth and copy his sisters’ behaviors.

“He loves to sleep in his big dog bed and then come into my bed in the early morning hours, so I can wake up to his big brown eyes,” said Jill.

Giorgi has also taught himself to stand upright and walk on his two hind legs, hopping and using his elbows and nose to support himself when he is tired. Giorgi can even hop 2 stairs at a time and race up and down ramps.

In addition, the puppy has recently started working with a veterinary neurologist. The doctor treats Giorgi’s phantom pain, a problem for most amputees, and is exploring ways to reduce the pain and inflammation he feels from walking on his elbows.

In addition, the Bionic Pets company has fitted Giorgi for prosthetics for his two front limbs, and a custom wheelchair is expected in 2 weeks. The design of the prosthetics and the front wheelchair will enable Giorgi to walk, hike and run with his sisters.

Giorgi’s future looks bright. To help him fulfill his needs a Go Fund Me page and an Amazon Wish List have been opened for him. Each will help meet Giorgi’s needs now and, in the future, as he grows and matures.