A two-legged pooch who was rescued from the streets of Afghanistan has made a remarkable recovery—and loves running on his two legs.
Maz the Labrador cross was struck by a car that crushed both of his back legs in 2013, and was left to roam the streets of the war-torn nation.
UK NHS doctor Helene Svinos said she saw a video of the ‘friendliest dog’ online on Valentine’s Day in 2015 and couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Despite his severe injuries, Maz was ‘full of joy’ and Helene decided she had to bring him back to her home in Manchester, England.
After contacting old friend Louise Hastie, a former soldier who rescues dogs from war zones, the dog was taken to Kabul and eventually flown to the UK in May that year.
Maz has joined a gang of other pups at Helene’s home, as she has six rescue dogs including paraplegic Pomeranian Bambi and blind Husky Inka, both from Romania.
Despite having both of his back legs amputated after they were fused together, Maz has remained upbeat and is always raring to go for runs.
Helene said the pooch has repeatedly refused to wear wheels or walking aids as he loves to ‘scuttle around as fast as lighting’.
Marvellous Maz has even beaten Helene’s three springer spaniels in a sprint, despite them competing in CaniCross races.
Helene said: “Maz is just a complete and utter star. You can’t feel sad or unhappy around him as he’s full of joy—except for when it’s raining.
“Maz has never let anything stop him from doing all the things he wants to do—including rolling in mud!
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“He just lives in the moment and he doesn’t focus on what happened in the past.”
Helene, who works on the frontline as an A&E doctor at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said coming home to her dogs has helped her throughout the Covid crisis.
She said: “I’m an A&E doctor working during lockdown, but coming home he just puts things into perspective.
“It’s been difficult at times during lockdown, feeling lonely, but then I come back to these happy dogs.”
The intelligent pooch somehow found his way to a vet where he befriended one of the doctors and would always leap up to greet anyone despite his injuries, Helene said.
They tried to keep the friendly pooch healthy but with limited resources, they were unable to do much more and posted an appeal online.
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Louise Hastie from War Paws, a charity she set up to help dogs in areas of civil conflict, helped bring Maz to Manchester where he is now ‘full of life’.
He had two four-hour surgeries to remove his back legs in May 2015 before he finally found his forever home with Helene.
Helene said: “He’s just the most wonderful dog and I’m so grateful to have him in my life.
“There are so many incredible dogs in the world who need homes, and they will bring you as much joy as you give them.
“I have a special love for disabled dogs, and I think people are worried that they may have problems but that’s just not true.
“They get overlooked often but they can live a full and happy life.”
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Beautiful boy <3
Bless you for saving him…I am sure that in his own way, he has saved you :>)
At my sanctuary, I have a wolf dog that has 3 legs & 1 ear & NOTHING slows him down at all.
We can learn so much from K9’s & Nature.
Thank you again for giving him such a wonderful life!
Special dog with a special owner. Win-win. So happy for all of you.🌻