When it comes to dogs with special needs, you have to not only be able to provide the proper care, but also willing to invest the time. That's what the people who found Duncan knew when they saw him.
Duncan, a boxer, was found as a stray in Colorado walking around on only his front legs. Due to a birth defect, his back legs were fused together underneath him, rendering them completely unusable.
Still, he managed to adapt and was able to move around pretty well on just two legs.
When he was brought to Panda Paws Rescue, a special-needs dog rescue organization, he was lucky enough to find a family who wanted to adopt him right away. But then he met Gary and Amanda Walters, the couple who run Panda Paws Rescue.
Duncan fell for the Walters, and they fell for him too. Their bond was so evident that when the original family who'd agreed to adopt Duncan met everyone, they said they couldn't take him because it was obvious he was so happy with the Walters.
"They told us that they felt like he should stay with us," Gary Walters said.
But Gary was also a little wary. Their rescue organization was still new, and he wasn't sure if they'd have time to give Duncan the love and care he needed.
"I came up [one] night and Amanda was sitting in bed sobbing, telling [Duncan] a story about how special he was," he recalled. "She said that she just felt in her heart that our home was his forever home. I caved."
It turned out that despite only having front legs, Duncan wasn't as needy as they thought. Like other dogs with only two legs, Duncan's learned to make his way through the world, and he's inspiring people everywhere.
[H/T: The Dodo]
Duncan was found with a congenital defect that caused his back legs to be fused together, making them unusable. Duncan had adapted by learning to walk on only his front legs.
After moving into a forever home with Gary and Amanda Walters, it was found that the deformed legs were weighing on him and twisting his spine, so they were removed, leaving Duncan with only his front legs. He got to keep his tail, though!
But a 50 percent loss in legs didn't seem to phase 3-year-old Duncan. He loves to run, jump, and play just like any other dog.
He refuses to use a wheelchair, preferring to get around as he always has, on his front legs. He can even navigate stairs.
And he can pop a mean handstand.
The Walters joke that he hasn't noticed the loss of his back legs.
"It's a running joke when people see him for the first time, they normally say something like, 'He only has two legs?' or 'What happened to his legs?' We always say, 'Shh, don't tell him! We haven't told him yet and he doesn't know.'"
And it really does seem like he has no idea he's any different than any other four-legged dog.
Of course, being born with immobile back legs made him learn to walk on two since puppyhood, so he doesn't know anything different.
And he's always up for an adventure with his favorite humans.
Duncan also suffers from other health issues, which means his needs aren't just related to his missing legs.
He has a breed-specific condition called boxer cardiomyopathy, which causes irregular heartbeat and fainting, and sometimes even heart failure. He's had to be resuscitated twice.
He also has trouble keeping on weight, which is why he looks so thin in these photos. The Walters, however, are dedicated to keeping him as healthy and happy as possible.
Duncan also likes to spend time with pals small and large.
And his one true love? Peanut butter.
"He would sell my soul to the devil for a single lick of peanut butter," jokes Gary Walters.
While Duncan's medical issues have their challenges, the Walters and thousands of other people are endlessly inspired by him thanks to his Instagram fame.
"He has changed the lives of thousands of people with his never-give-up attitude," Walters said.
Check him out on Instagram, and also see who else the Walters have rescued on the Panda Paws Rescue website and Facebook page.
And SHARE this incredible pooch to inspire your friends!
