AWESOME ATTITUDE: INDIGO WHEELED TERRIER JONES

Abused. Rescued. Adopted. Loved. Turned Pittie Advocate. Proof That with Love Anything Is Possible!

By Tamra Monahan
Photos Courtesy of Indigo Jones

A wonderful act of kindness by a compassionate family changed a Pit Bull’s life from a nightmare into a dream come true. Indigo Wheeled Terrier Jones, “Indy” for short, was kept chained outside and was abused by his former owner. One night, as his owner beat him with a shovel and kicked him repeatedly, a neighbor made an anonymous call to 911, and the police and animal control arrived. The owner was arrested; the severely injured Pittie was placed in a shelter as evidence in the criminal proceedings against his abuser. The shelter was instrumental in helping Indy and getting him placed into Ring Dog Rescue, a nonprofit Pit Bull and bully breed rescue located in Richmond, Virginia.

The chaining and beatings had left Indy partially paralyzed and incontinent, as well as shy and mistrustful of humans. To start his road to recovery, Ring Dog Rescue contacted Katie Jones about fostering him until he was ready to be adopted. They explained that Indy was a little wobbly on his legs and might need some therapy. Katie said they would be glad to help him. When Indigo arrived, Katie says, “It was clear he was more than ‘a bit wobbly,’ and the brave Pit Bull could barely get up off the floor. He was dragging himself after a few attempts at taking steps. It also became clear that he had little control over his bowels and bladder. He had an acute urinary tract infection, a skin condition, ear infections, and a terrible cold.”

Katie remembers looking at Indy and thinking, “Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?”

But her apprehension disappeared as soon as Indy joined the family. Everyone fell in love with the sweet Pit Bull who peed indiscriminately and could barely walk. And when his adoptions fell through, the Jones family was relieved. They decided they would keep Indy and show him that humans can be gentle and kind.

“As a foster family, you prepare to lose your fosters to adoptions,” Katie says, “but the week we thought he was leaving, our family was a mess, which is unusual for us. When the adopters backed out, we sat down as a family and made the decision to adopt Indy and keep him forever. It was the best choice we could have made.”

It soon became apparent that Indy needed help walking, so Ring Dog Rescue and Eddie’s Wheels provided him with a pet wheelchair. Through continuous physical therapy and the assistance of his wheels, Indy is a new dog who loves people and travels all over the United States as an ambassador for Pit Bulls and pets with disabilities. Katie describes a typical week for Indy and says, “Lots of walks, therapy, diaper changes (Indy wears custom-made diapers from www.seasonals.com), playtime, and baths (Indy has a chronic skin condition that he needs medicated baths for). We also go swimming and hiking as we live near a state park, and Indy has plenty of room to explore in the 4 acres of land that we live on. Food is a very important part of Indy’s life. He loves his meals and his snacks, and according to him he doesn’t get enough of them! Other family activities involve cuddling on the couch, playing tag, and watching Animal Planet on TV.”

Shortly after adopting Indy, Katie started a Facebook page for their special puppy as a way to keep the dog’s rescuers apprised of his improvements and challenges. But less than three days after the Indigo Wheeled Terrier Jones page was created, Indy had over 1,000 friends, catapulting him from ordinary canine to pop-star Pittie—and his popularity continues as more friends visit him every day. With such a huge following, Katie realized she could use Indy and his Facebook page as a platform to educate people about Pit Bulls, discriminatory laws against dog breeds, and animals with disabilities.

This lovable Pitty works hard to educate people about the problems of Breed Specific Legislation by demonstrating that Pit Bulls are great dogs who make wonderful family pets. Indy gets along with everyone in his family, which consists of four humans, five other Pit Bulls, one Rotweiller, and several cats. In fact, he is so sweet-natured that he shares his toys with the cats and lets them snack on his treats. His favorite activity, aside from playing fetch, is cuddling with his family—canine, feline, and human.

Indy’s gentle nature and exuberant personality, as well as his interesting legs on wheels, have made him a star and a role model for dogs with disabilities. From a life of abuse and pain to a life of love and happiness, this remarkable Pit Bull has shown the world that he is a survivor who can accomplish anything.

“Indy is happy, healthy, and enjoying his life like I have never seen a dog enjoy life before,” Katie says. “He’s well-adjusted, and frankly we don’t even think he realizes that he has a handicap because he enjoys his life so much.”

Visit his Website at:
www.indysinjuredreserves.com

Email Indy at:
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Become a fan at:
www.facebook.com/IndigoWheeledTerrierJones