Living with a pack of eight rescue dogs brings a delightful mix of organized chaos and boundless affection into my daily life. I’m Danielle Wagner, a news anchor right here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My journey as a dog owner kicked off back in 2006, and today, the Wagner Pack proudly numbers eight wonderful canine companions.
My deep commitment extends beyond just providing homes for my own dogs; I have a genuine passion for connecting shelter pets with their forever families. In addition to my adoptions, I host a regular television segment titled ‘Wagner Tails,’ where I spotlight adoptable animals from various shelters and rescue groups throughout eastern Iowa, helping them find the loving homes they deserve.
What follows is the heartwarming tale of my eighth rescue dog, a special soul I welcomed into our family soon after he suffered a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, unable to use his hind legs at all.
It all began in March when Hunny was traveling through Iowa with his former family. During their stay, he managed to slip out of a securely fenced yard and was tragically struck by a vehicle. He was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic, where he spent the night under close observation before being moved to a specialized veterinary hospital for advanced care.
Unfortunately, his previous owner faced financial constraints that made it impossible to cover the extensive medical treatment required. With a heavy heart, she chose to relinquish him to a rescue organization. That’s when Fur Fun Rescue, based in Lisbon, Iowa, heroically intervened. They assumed full responsibility for Hunny, including all his mounting medical expenses, ensuring he could continue receiving the critical treatment at the hospital without interruption.
Diagnostic imaging of his spine and pelvis revealed no fractures, which was a small mercy, but scans identified three to four sites along his spine showing signs of herniated discs. Surgery was deemed unnecessary, yet post-accident, Hunny remained completely unable to bear weight on or move his back legs, dragging them helplessly behind him.
On March 17th, just one day after the accident, I came across the rescue group’s social media post detailing Hunny’s plight. There was no logical explanation for it-just an undeniable gut instinct telling me that this brave dog was destined to become part of the Wagner Pack. Having successfully adopted from this very rescue before, I immediately contacted them, volunteering to foster Hunny with the strong intention of making his adoption permanent if things progressed well.
By March 29th, I made the drive to finally meet him in person. During that visit, the rescue team provided thorough instructions on using a custom-made supportive brace to assist with bearing weight on his hind legs during necessary outdoor excursions. They also demonstrated specific therapeutic exercises designed to gradually rebuild strength and mobility in those injured limbs as his healing process unfolded. To safeguard against additional damage, Hunny was required to remain strictly confined within a spacious playpen for nearly two full months, minimizing all unnecessary movement. From the outset, I fully understood that complete recovery was far from certain and would demand patience and dedication.
To create an optimal healing environment, I reconfigured parts of my home accordingly. In the living room, I set up a secure playpen enclosure where Hunny could rest comfortably during my work hours. This setup allowed him dedicated time for uninterrupted recovery while preventing any risky solo attempts to navigate stairs. It also protected him from overly enthusiastic play sessions with the rest of the pack that might accidentally exacerbate his injuries. Remarkably, my other seven dogs adapted beautifully to his presence and condition. It truly seemed as though they intuitively understood his vulnerability, responding with exceptional gentleness and care. They would rotate shifts, taking turns to lie calmly beside his playpen, offering silent companionship and emotional support throughout his confinement.
Outside of his playpen time, I personally transported him nearly everywhere to avoid slips on our home’s vinyl flooring and composite deck surfaces, which could have led to further trauma. I openly confess that the physical demands of constantly monitoring his safety while still encouraging a measure of independence proved quite tiring at times. Additionally, I took great care in how I lifted and carried him, always mindful to avoid putting pressure on sensitive areas that might intensify his discomfort.
Initially, the strategy was to delay formal adoption until veterinary clearance confirmed his stability. However, I soon realized that to advocate effectively for his health, I needed legal authority to make prompt medical choices on his behalf. In particular, I drew from positive prior experience using laser therapy on one of my other dogs, which had yielded impressive results. Eager to explore its potential benefits for Hunny, I moved forward decisively.
On April 3rd, I officially adopted Hunny into the family. Just two days later, on April 5th, we attended our inaugural laser therapy session, completing a total of six treatments over the ensuing weeks. Even after that very first appointment, I observed visible signs of reduced pain in his demeanor and movements. By the conclusion of the series, he demonstrated newfound ability to distribute more weight onto his hind legs and could manage extended periods of walking in the backyard without collapsing. Throughout this phase, I diligently recorded videos of his daily progress, allowing me to meticulously track improvements from one week to the next. Early on, his gait was profoundly unsteady and lopsided, with running entirely out of the question-mere standing required heroic effort.
Upon finishing the laser sessions, our veterinarian suggested advancing to hydrotherapy on an underwater treadmill as the next logical step in his rehabilitation program. Although the nearest facility equipped for this was a 30-minute drive away, I was convinced the investment in time and travel would pay dividends in his recovery. We commenced hydrotherapy in May, attending sessions approximately every other week all the way through July. The results were nothing short of transformative: Hunny’s overall mobility and hind leg strength surged forward dramatically. Following the accident, he had been particularly reluctant to load any weight onto his left rear leg, but the buoyancy-assisted exercises powerfully rebuilt those atrophied muscles, smoothing out his stride into a more balanced, confident rhythm.
Uncertain as I was about the exact path his rehabilitation would take when we began, I’m overjoyed to share that Hunny is now thriving beyond all early expectations. What started with him scarcely able to support himself on his hindquarters has evolved into full-fledged running and joyful play alongside his pack mates. He’s utterly obsessed with pursuing birds across the backyard-and yes, he can sprint after them with impressive speed and agility! Stairs, once an insurmountable obstacle, are now navigated effortlessly up and down. Leisurely walks have become a cherished routine. Strangers encountering him during outings often express sheer astonishment when I recount his history of being hit by a car and struggling to walk just months prior. Hunny embodies pure joy and gentleness, delighting in accompanying me to community events and eagerly greeting every new friend he meets.
