Nolan and Luca came into Wags and Whiskers at 8 weeks of age.  They were thrown away like trash and found in a ditch on the side of the road in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  They were extremely underweight, very small and unable to walk properly.  When they first got to MN, we thought their inability to walk was due to malnutrition.  As the weeks progressed, the boys grew but never could walk. 

Over the next couple months the boys were seeing the vet regularly to monitor their progress.  X-rays were taken to see what was causing the boys to scoot around, rather than walk.  The bones were not fusing together properly, and due to the lack of proper nutrition, their bones were mush.

Splints were made to help form the bones and also assist the boys in standing.  This was done in the hopes that as the boys stood and walked; their muscles would become stronger and they would eventually be able to walk. 

Nolan and Luca’s splints were changed every three days in the hopes that they would be able to walk after 6 weeks of splinting.  Some time passed and the splinting did not seem to be doing what the vets had hoped; so off to a specialist Nolan and Luca go…

Nolan and Luca met with an orthopedic vet.  This was a sad day for Wags and Whiskers…

Nolan and Luca were diagnosed with Osteopenia. (Osteopenia refers to bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal.) They were also found to have chondrodystrophic dwarfism.  This would mean that the boys were going to struggle with life for as long as they were around.

What this meant to Wags is that Nolan and Luca would never leave so we made the decision to make them our official mascots.

Nolan and Luca became the meaning of “rescue.”  They would require physical therapy, numerous trips to the vet, many more meetings with specialists and at some point might require surgery.  Wags could not adopt out Nolan and Luca and not know for certain that their special needs were going to be met.

The chondrodystrophic dwarfism brings many problems.  The boys have a weak immune system and may never be able to completely walk without some sort of assistance.  The dwarfism can cause seizures, problems with their jaws and it shortens their lifespan.

Nolan and Luca are two of the happiest, loving dogs you will ever come across.  They do not discriminate with their love…they love other dogs –big and little; people-young and old.  Their tails start wagging like crazy as someone approaches them.  Their desire to fight and live is like no other, these two boys are truly amazing – which is why Wags cannot ever give up on these two boys.

They touch the lives of everyone they meet.  Luca appears to be smiling all the time, even in his sleep. They scoot over to anyone willing to just say “hi” and give them a friendly pat or rub behind the ears.

Wags has created the chip-in to ensure that Nolan and Luca will always receive the best care available.  Whatever surgeries are needed, whatever vet bills need to be paid, whatever splints or wheelchairs need to be ordered.  These two boys are truly little angels full of love and only deserve the best.

Any funds contributed via the chip-in or the “Nolan and Luca” merchandise will be saved and used to benefit Nolan and Luca for as long as we are lucky to have them.

So please spare what you can, forward their story, stop up at any Wags and Whiskers events and meet our rescue mascots, Nolan and Luca…as kind words and loving pats on the head makes their days.

They are going to be pricey little buggers…but after you meet them, they will find their way into your heart in no time and you will see that they are both worth whatever the dollar amount comes too.