A Colorado woman was left stunned when she discovered her dog's wheelchair was gone from the porch on Tuesday morning. CNN
A Colorado woman was left heartbroken and shocked when she discovered that her 15-year-old disabled dog’s wheelchair had been stolen from her porch. Megan Caligiuri, from Englewood, has owned Griff, a rescued schnauzer mix, for nearly 15 years. Over the years, they’ve shared countless adventures, including cross-country trips and long hikes. However, as Griff aged, his mobility began to decline, making the long treks more difficult.
To help Griff continue living an active life, Caligiuri purchased a dog wheelchair to support his weakened hind legs. The wheelchair has allowed Griff to remain mobile, significantly improving his quality of life. "We go three miles a day, and it’s been a game-changer for him," Caligiuri explained. "Someone saw him trucking around in the snow and was like, 'He's such an inspiration!'" The wheelchair has allowed Griff to stay physically active and maintain his spirit, despite being 105 years old in human years.
But on Monday night, disaster struck. After taking Griff for his daily walk, Caligiuri removed the wheelchair, as she typically does, to clean it. The next morning, she was shocked to find it missing. "I take them off after every walk. I leave them outside because they’re dirty. He rolls around through stuff," Caligiuri explained. "The next morning, he's pretty jazzed for his next walk. I go outside and they're gone. I have no faith left in humanity that someone would steal a disabled dog's wheelchair."
In her distress, Caligiuri filed a police report and posted on the local neighborhood app, Nextdoor, hoping someone might have seen something or could help locate the missing wheelchair. To her surprise, the community response was overwhelming. More than 80 people reached out, offering donations, resources, and support. One person even mentioned seeing a man on a bike with what looked like the wheelchair’s wheels attached to a trailer.
Though the stolen wheelchair was difficult and expensive to replace, the outpouring of support was heartwarming. Griff’s story spread quickly, catching the attention of Kathryn Groenewold from Paw Prosper, the parent company of Walkin’ Pets. The company specializes in providing mobility products for pets, and Groenewold said that Griff’s situation touched their hearts deeply. “We just couldn’t leave this dog without wheels,” she said. "There’s nothing more incredible than seeing a previously immobile pet have movement and excitement and the joy of running and play come back into their lives."
In a generous act of kindness, Walkin’ Pets arranged to deliver a replacement wheelchair to Caligiuri’s home. The company’s team worked diligently to ensure the new chair was a perfect fit for Griff, so he could continue enjoying his daily walks and the freedom that the wheelchair provides. “Our team works very hard to make sure that each chair is perfectly fitting for the dog,” Groenewold said. “We hope that Griff and Megan are going to be able to enjoy more good days together as a result.”
Although Griff didn’t fully understand why he was being carried for a week, he seemed to take it all in stride. Caligiuri, overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, said, “I feel so overwhelmed by the kindness of people. This is how he gets around and how he enjoys life and experiences life. My faith in humanity has been restored. Thank you, everyone, so much.”
