Maltipoo Loses Use of Hind Legs—But What He Does After Months of Therapy Is Unforgettable
When Tyrion, a playful Maltipoo, was six years old, he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that left him paralyzed from the waist down. One moment he was racing through open fields, chasing birds at full speed—and the next, he couldn’t use his hind legs. The sudden change devastated his owner. But soon after his diagnosis, Tyrion was fitted for a wheelchair and began physical therapy to regain some mobility. (Watch Video Below)
@diggydagg I’m officially the proudest mom in town 🥹 #dogsoftiktok #wheelchairdog #animallover #paralyzeddog #fyp #hope ♬ Hometown Glory – Adele
Although his life had taken such an unfortunate turn, Tyrion still maintained a cheerful, optimistic spirit. He didn’t let his paralysis get in the way of him enjoying the simple pleasures of life or break his spirits. Tyrion braved through every physical therapy session with the determination of a dog who was willing to regain what he had lost. But for Tyrion’s owner, watching her lovely pup go through the physical therapy journey was anything but easy.
A Tough Journey
Months after starting physical therapy, Tyrion still struggled to stand on his hind legs without human support. During meal times, he’d scoot on the floor as he moved toward his bowl, eager to enjoy his food while standing on all fours. But no matter how hard he tried, his hind legs would give in after a few seconds. It was during moments like this that Tyrion’s owner would feel discouraged. Still, this sweet pup never stopped trying.
And as they say, just because the results are taking longer to manifest doesn’t mean the effort is in vain. Even though Tyrion wasn’t showing significant progress on the surface, the physical therapy sessions were doing wonders in the background. Every session he completed made his hind legs a little stronger than they were during the previous session. Although Tyrion was still experiencing difficulty standing on his own several months after starting physical therapy, truth is, it was only a matter of time.
The Unforgettable Victory
After a year of consistent physical therapy, Tyrion’s owner witnessed the one thing she yearned for ever since her pup became paralyzed: seeing him stand on all fours without falling.
In a touching TikTok clip recently posted by the overjoyed owner @diggydagg, Tyrion can be seen dragging his hind legs on the floor as he heads to his meal station. Then, without any help, he stands upright — not for one or two seconds — but for the entire time he is eating. For the first time in months, Tyrion didn’t need extra support from his human to steady his hind legs as he enjoyed his food. He stood so confidently, like it was the most natural thing to do. While Tyrion may not be aware of the huge milestone he’s just achieved, to his mom, it means everything.
“I’m officially the proudest mom in town,” Tyrion’s owner captioned in the video.
Tyrion has proved to the world that, indeed, the biggest milestones often come from consistent efforts. Though he still has a long way to go, his progress is enough proof that the best is yet to come.
“Tyrion is a symbol of resilience and persistence. The countless hours of physical therapy are paying off, and there’s no doubt that he’s destined for a bright future filled with endless possibilities,” pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka says.
