Graham’s friend, who lived near a junkyard, found Dime after he jumped the fence one day. She sent a text to Graham asking if anyone around him wanted a dog, knowing that Graham was an animal lover. At the time, Graham and his wife had just started dating, but it didn’t take long for them to fall in love with Dime. The couple felt that he really needed someone to love him, and the dog quickly became attached to them and they became attached to him as well.
Dime, who is now about 9 years old, was only 3 months old when they adopted him. A year and a half ago, they noticed that he was favoring one of his feet more than usual. After a visit to the vet, Dime was diagnosed with degenerative myopathy, a neurological disorder that starts in the hind legs and progresses throughout the body. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, but the silver lining is that Dime will never feel pain from it.
In the beginning, Dime needed a harness and some assistance to get outside, which lasted for about six months. He then learned to scoot using his front legs to move his entire body and even followed his owners from room to room. For longer walks, Dime started using a wheelchair.
Living in the mountains with many stairs, Graham built ramps and other accommodations to make things easier for Dime. He is described as the ultimate good boy. He’s a sweet dog who is in tune with people and their emotions. Dime even has a special treat area that their other dog, Pork Roll, is not allowed to go near.
Pork Roll, a rambunctious dog with ‘no boundaries,’ was rescued by the couple in 2020. Initially, Dime was unsure about his new sibling, but they soon became close friends, cuddling and enjoying each other’s company.
Dime, referred to by his mom as the Brad Pitt of dogs due to his good looks, is a large dog weighing 95 pounds at his peak. Despite his size, it hasn’t stopped his owners from lifting him or helping him with his harness to go outside for walks, with or without the wheelchair.
Graham and his wife are devoted to Dime and are willing to do anything for him, even if it’s a lot of work. They are grateful for the past year and a half, during which Dime has lived a full life. They believe that Dime is a 10 out of 10– a true dime, and an inspiring example of love and resilience.
Toledo, United States.
