Airlie Hooton

Meet Airlie, Lab x Collie who was only 3 years old when he developed Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). He had emergency spinal surgery but was unfortunately left fully paralysed in his rear legs.

Airlie became paralysed when his owner was four months pregnant. Even so both of his owners spent two weeks sleeping on the floor with Airlie after his spinal surgery because he needed time to heal before they could use a harness or wheelchair to help him get around.

“Airlie is still a giant puppy,” says his owner. “He loves to play, chase sticks, and play football. When we’re out walking, he loves being fussed over, interacting with other dogs and he’s always smiling!”

Airlie recently found local fame when he became one of 13 winners in a worldwide 2019 calendar contest featuring dogs in wheelchairs. Airlie was voted into the calendar by popular vote out of a pool of 240 entries from 26 countries around the world.