CARMEL – Loki is lucky to be alive!
The 15-month-old German Aussie Shepherd, born with a congenital vertebrae disorder resulting in paralysis, was left to die along the side of a road in southern Ohio.
Thanks to a person who picked him up alongside the road and a rescue group from northern Westchester that transported the pup to Putnam County in order to receive special surgery performed by Dr. Jason Berg, a neurosurgeon and owner of Guardian Veterinary Specialists in Brewster, Loki has been adopted by Kate McGunnigle and her husband, Tim Ouimette of Lake Carmel.
McGunnigle said her prized pooch didn’t walk from January 25 to August 25, 2019.
She and her husband fostered Loki for the past year and as Katie Mac explained “we fell in love with him. His spirit is amazing because Loki loves life. I tell people: ‘You are having a bad day? Call me: You need a Loki fix!’ He is a character. Loki proves that every living thing needs a second chance at life. He can now walk and have a life thanks to the amazing professionals in our area who weaved their magic. We fed him but Tim and I have always loved the underdog.”
Kati Mac has written a number of children’s stories over the years and Loki will be the subject of her new book “The Legend of Loki.”
McGunnigle indicated that “Loki will be a special needs super hero in the book for children with special needs. Children in wheelchairs or others who walk differently due to spinal issues will be able to relate to Loki due to a power to overcome obstacles.”
Kati Mac, Ouimette and Loki are inseparable. “All you have to do is hang out with him for five minutes and are you are hooked. He’s an inspiration. Loki embodies the qualities we all wish we had,” said Ouimette.
