'Brutus' the Rottweiler walks again on four new 'paws'

LOVELAND, CO. – Opportunities for a second chances come in many forms.

For a Rottweiler named Brutus, he's taking steps towards a new lease on life – steps that wouldn't be possible without prosthetic limbs.

As a young pup, Brutus was left outside in freezing temperatures, suffering frostbite on all four of his paws. His breeder attempted a botched amputation at home, leaving Brutus maimed and unable to walk.

Not much of a life for a Rottweiler who yearned to run, play, and chase.

Colorado State University's James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in partnership with Denver-based OrthoPets, picks up the story from here.

Together, they believe Brutus' tale will have a happy ending.

Now two years old, Brutus' adoptive family raised enough money through an online fundraising site to pay for corrective surgery on his paws and, even better, to receive four prosthetic 'paws' which will help him learn how to walk again.

Watch the video above to see Brutus run through an obstacle course on his new paws.

The effort raised nearly $12,500.

The surgery at CSU, performed by Dr. Trent Gall, removed bone fragments, dew claws, and two toes left from the botched amputation.

Brutus' new 'paws' are designed with the same technology humans would use if they needed orthotics.

The prosthetic 'paws' from Denver-based OrthoPets have three purposes: to protect and make Brutus' limbs more comfortable, to support his front collapsed legs, and to realign each leg to an equal length.

Now Sasha Foster, a CSU certified canine rehabilitation therapist, is working with Brutus through underwater treadmill therapy, balance activities, exercise balls and other neuro re-education therapies to help him adjust to his new limbs.

Foster said her work is motivated by helping her patient – and the animal's family. "When you improve the quality of life for a dog, you improve the quality life for the entire family," Foster said.

Follow Brutus's recovery on Facebook and Instagram.

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