Whether we realize it or not, most of us have been guilty of taking something for granted every single day. It's easy to focus on flaws and throw a pity party for ourselves, but that really just sells all the good things we've got going for us short. I know I've been guilty of that bleak outlook more times that I'd like to admit, but remembering how having even the simple ability to walk around on my own two legs reminds me to count my blessings.
The little guy in the video below, a penguin affectionately named Bagpipes at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, unfortunately suffered an accident that required them to amputate one of this flippers. When they found him in 2007, fishing line had wrapped itself so tightly around his leg that they were left with no other option but to sever it.
Since then, Bagpipes had to adapt to hobbling around uncomfortably on what was left of his appendage. That is, until recent technological developments in 3D printing finally offered him a more permanent solution. Though the makeshift cushions created from foam beer koozies eased some of the issues, his new prosthetic is a much better alternative.
Dr. Don Clucas designed the webbed foot and donated it to Bagpipes completely free of charge. You can watch as he attaches the object to the cutie's leg below, doing his best to avoid Bagpipes' nips at his hands as he goes. With his shiny new flipper, he's also become the first wild animal with an artificial limb in New Zealand.
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