Abused dog cared for by Brits first to reach top of Mount Snowdon in wheelchair
Top dog Hope has hit the heights after becoming the first canine to reach the summit of Mount Snowdon – in a wheelchair.
The amazing feat happened during a special fundraising challenge to raise money for dog rescue charity Amanda's Spanish Rescue Dogs, which rescued Hope after she was severely injured and abandoned by her former owners. Hope and her family of mum, dad, two human brothers and two canine sisters reached the summit in four-and-a-half hours.
And Hope only needed a little help to complete her mission, with her brother carrying her over the most impassable section, while there was an added bonus of plenty of attention from other climbers. Owner Kerry Rushton, from Okehampton, Devon, said: "It took us longer than expected mainly because of the attention she received, but there was a very, very tough section near the top where the Llanberis path runs under the railway line.
"The terrain was incredibly tough going and along with it being incredibly steep, parts of this section were totally impassable by Hope. Luckily though, my eldest son, Harrison, was a true superhero and carried Hope on these sections." Hope had been equipped with a cross-country wheelchair to manage Dartmoor terrain and used these special wheels to climb to the top of Britain's second-highest mountain, which stands at 1,085-metres.
The brave canine had been thrown over a fence by her mean former owners in Spain when she was just three months old, leaving her paralysed from the middle of her spine to her back legs. Kerry gave Hope her forever home in December 2020, and added: "Hope loved every minute of it and really enjoyed the attention she received."
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Before setting off Kerry said that the family had organised the route with Hope's welfare at the forefront, ensuring that they took the shallowest path to the summit at a gentle pace so that Hope could manage the slope and rest along the way.
The Rushtons have also made adaptations to their Okehampton home and have ensured it is safer and easier for her to get around. Carpets have been removed and wooden flooring installed while artificial grass has been used to cover gravel and slabs in the garden.
A "funny, energetic and incredibly positive" dog, Hope has raised more than £2,577 for the charity – smashing the family's £500 target and is also now the first "wheelie" dog to reach the summit, which took place on Saturday, September 9, of the Welsh mountain, also known as Yr Wyddfa.
Amanda's Spanish Rescue Dogs was instrumental in caring for Hope when she was first injured and abandoned, continuing to support her and her new family with the medical care needed to keep Hope healthy. Hope is unable to empty her bladder fully and needs to take supplements in order to ensure that her working front legs remain strong.
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