Dog Paralyzed in Hit-And-Run Makes Inspiring Recovery, Seeks Forever Home

Labrador retriever Buster was left "miserable" and paralyzed following a hit-and-run incident in the Bahamas, but following a remarkable recovery he's ready to find a new home.

Buster, a 3-year-old stray, needed to drag his hind legs alone through the streets of the for around a month after the hit-and-run, leaving him to develop kneecaps that were raw and bloody down to the bone, Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR) said this month.

FUR then discovered the poor dog's plight and aimed to transport him to the Sunshine State as the Bahamas did not have the capacity to care for a dog in his condition.

"When Lissa McCombe, the co-founder of the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness (BAARK!), called me to tell me about a dog who had been hit by a car in the Bahamas, I had minutes to decide what to do, " Mike Merrill, FUR founder and executive director, told Newsweek.

"I hadn't met Buster yet, and we didn't have a foster open, but I knew we had to help. Lissa and I agreed that we needed to do whatever we can to try to save him. We scrambled to come up with a plan."

McCombe then "jumped into action" and organized X-rays and medicine for Buster, while also bathing the injured dog as FUR worked on a plan to get him to Florida.

"Kelly MacDade, our most experienced medical foster agreed to foster Buster, but she already had a foster dog at that time," Merrill told Newsweek. "We came up with a temporary plan for [the other foster dog] Ellie, so Kelly was able to foster Buster. Thanks to a group of volunteers helping us on the transport, we got Buster here safely."

Buster's Path To Recovery

But Buster's journey to recovery faced a major obstacle as it became clear how severe his injury was.

Buster had a severed spinal cord and as it was not a new injury, surgery was not considered an option and his stomach was infected due to having to drag his body around.

But while undergoing treatment in September, Buster was considered a candidate for spinal walking where a dog learns to walk using gait patterning and reflex.

Following some treatment, the change in Buster's demeanor was noticeable and he is now a playful dog despite his handicap.

He has since been assisted by a wheelchair and now gets around with ease and has a newfound love for life.

Buster's New Love For Life

"Kelly has poured her heart and soul into helping Buster, and thanks to her love and attention, he's gone from a miserable dog who could barely move to a happy boy who is loving life," Merrill told Newsweek.

"His wheelchair from Walkin' Pets has been a game changer for him, giving him back the mobility he lost after the accident. She's also the one who took the photo of Buster showing off his new wheels at the Porsche Jacksonville event unveiling the new models. Despite his handicap, this is the best life Buster has ever had, in large part thanks to Kelly."

While Buster is currently being fostered, he is also looking now looking for a new home according to Adopt A Pet, and is described as "good with kids" and "good with dogs," as well as being "the most resilient, determined, and loving pup you will ever meet."