“Joey loves playing with his dog friends in the backyard. But there’s something different about him—he only has two back legs. Instead of running, he hops around, not too keen on using his wheels.

Born without front legs in Connecticut, Joey struggled to find a home while his siblings got adopted. Luckily, he found a caring family at Vintage Pet Rescue in July. Although they usually take in older dogs, they made an exception for Joey and other pups with special needs.

Joey’s story caught the attention of many, and now he’s set to make his TV debut in Puppy Bowl XIX. Despite his challenges, Joey is full of love and ready to show the world his spirit!”

Petarca works from home, but she got to meet Joey a few weeks after he came to the rescue. “I was amazed by how cute he is,” Petarca tells Daily Paws. “He was the nicest puppy I’ve ever met, so relaxed and calm. He loves to play, but with people, he’s calm, affectionate, and adorable.” When Cathy Larson saw Joey on Facebook, she instantly fell in love. With five other dogs, including one with three legs, Larson felt Joey belonged with them. Living in Rhode Island, Larson contacted Vintage Pet and followed Joey’s journey until he was ready for adoption. When they met in person, Larson felt it was a perfect match.

Joey’s New Home

Once Larson brought Joey home, her other dogs welcomed him right away. Murphy, her three-legged dog, became Joey’s best friend right from the start. Joey also formed a special bond with Larson’s oldest dog, Shady, who can’t see.

“I brought Shady along to help Joey adjust because I knew he was used to being with older dogs,” Larson explains. “He’s really gentle with her, he looks out for her, and he cuddles with her when she’s feeling stressed.”

Even though Joey is always full of energy, he faces some challenges. He needs extra help with everyday tasks like getting water or going to the bathroom. But Larson says Joey is great at letting them know when he needs something and will bark to get their attention.

Despite having a special wheelchair from the rescue, Joey isn’t a big fan of using it. He prefers to hop around instead.

“At the rescue, he’s okay with using his wheelchair, but at home, he wants nothing to do with it,” Larson says. “We use it mainly for feeding to help with digestion, but otherwise, he stays still when we put him in it.”

Larson describes Joey as a “brave little guy” who loves playing with other dogs and meeting new people. He’s even gone with Larson to an animal sanctuary where he got to meet horses, donkeys, and goats. But what sets Joey apart the most is his sweet nature.

“He’s so friendly and loves meeting people,” Larson says. “When you pick him up, he wraps his head around your neck and nuzzles in. That’s just his way of showing love.”