Sun Citian outfits injured dog with wheelchair

For Bernard Christelle, having a dog is a lot like being married.

"You have them for better or for worse," said the 75-year-old resident of The Fountains in Sun City.

For Jasper, Christelle's dachshund, the worst happened years ago when the dog tried to jump off a couch and onto a chair. Jasper missed the chair, broke one of his vertebrae and separated his spine.

Christelle took the pet to the animal hospital emergency room, where the veterinarians told him the dog would have about a 50 percent chance of recovering.

Doctors suggested buying a doggie wheelchair.

"They told me that Jasper was still healthy but just couldn't use his back legs, so I thought why not just give it a try, and it works perfect," Christelle said.

Many people have asked, Christelle said, why he didn't euthanize Jasper after the dog's injuries failed to heal.

"I wouldn't even think about it because this dog means so much to me," he said.

Christelle bought Jasper almost four years ago, when his wife was alive. Two years later, she died, and the dachshund has always been by his side.

"(Jasper) has been of great companionship to me and helped get me through hard times with my wife, and I appreciate that so much," he said.

The ex-jockey and retired math teacher waited six weeks before he bought the $800 wheelchair for Jasper.

Known as a doggie cart, dogs are placed in the wheelchair with the back legs strapped in. The wheels help them maneuver as they walk on their front legs.

"When we put Jasper in the wheelchair, he didn't have any hesitation about walking because he's so fearless," Christelle said.

The dachshund walks and runs around in the wheelchair, Christelle said, as if he has all four his legs.

"I remember when he was trying to chase a bird and he flipped over, so I had to go and turn the cart over for him," he said, laughing.

Elaine Beals, an employee at The Fountains, said they've watched as Christelle nursed his dog back to health.

"(Bernard) was terribly distressed about the pup and knew it would be a lot of work, but he's done a marvelous job," she said.

Christelle said he's pleased with the wheelchair "as long as Jasper is happy."