Labrador Who 'Can't Use Legs Properly' Finds Way to Join Dog Family's Walk

A pet owner has found a way for his Labrador, who has lost the use of his back legs, still to join the rest of his dogs on walks.

Humphrey the chocolate Labrador has been a part of James Ainscough's life from a very young age. "We got him as a puppy at 8 weeks old," Ainscough told Newsweek. "He was gifted to me by one of our neighbors."

For all of that time, Humphrey has grown up surrounded by other dogs. First, there was Billy, the yellow Labrador, and Remy, another chocolate Lab. Both have sadly passed in the years since, but Humphrey is not alone.

The dog now lives with Emmy, his daughter, who was one of a litter of puppies bred using Humphrey as a stud. There is also Percy, a yellow Labrador who came to Ainscough as a rescue after a friend got in touch about "two from the same litter who were fighting viciously" and asked Ainscough if he wanted to take one.

Despite these differences, Ainscough said the three dogs have always gotten on well, thanks in part to a shared love of swimming and eating.

There can be notable benefits to owning more than one pup. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that dogs suffering from anxiety could be calmed down through exercise with other canines.

Researchers from Tufts University in Massachusetts and the Center for Canine Behaviour Studies in Connecticut conducted tests with 1,308 dogs who had some form of anxious or fearful behavior. They found the dogs suffering from these types of disorder either improved or got better after engaging in sporting games like fetch with other canines.

It's a reminder of how important these interactions are for dogs. Sadly, recent developments saw Humphrey robbed of the ability to enjoy these kinds of activities with his canine family.

"Humphrey ruptured a disc in his spine," Ainscough said. Overnight, he all but lost the use of his hind legs. "He can't use his legs properly. He can't support his own weight," Humphrey's owner added. Since then, the dog has undergone four surgeries to try to fix the issue.

"There were complications after the first, second and third surgeries," Ainscough said. "Over six months, he had four back surgeries."

Humphrey's condition, coupled with the recovery required after each new operation all but robbed the dog of engaging in his favorite activities. However, Ainscough has found a way for Humphrey still to feel like a part of his canine family.

A few years back, Ainscough had been in a similar situation with Humphrey's brother, Remy, who also lost the ability to walk unaided. To combat this, the owner constructed what amounts to a canine bed on wheels, which he is able to pull alongside his other dogs on walks, dubbing it 'Remy's Ride.'

It might sound like a simple idea, but it has had a big impact, not least with social media's dog-loving community. Ainscough posted footage to TikTok under the handle @mylabrachildren of Humphrey using Remy's Ride on a walk with Emmy and Percy alongside a simple, yet powerful, caption: "never give up on your dog."

It was a message that chimed with many watching. "Riding like a king," one wrote, with a second adding: "My heart and soul smiled soo much seeing this." A third posted: "till the end together."

Ainscough said he has already seen a positive change in Humphrey as a result of Remy's Ride. "It helps him to feel included on the walks with others rather than on his own. It's good for him," he added.

Ainscough said that nobody knows what will happen to Humphrey and whether he will regain full use of his legs: "Humphrey is still healing. He's been through a lot. We're continuing with treadmill work and physio and just have to see what happens."

There may still come a day when Humphrey walks again, but, for now, he is just happy being out as part of the family again.

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