Canines possess a remarkable personality. They are known for their positive and energetic demeanor that can brighten up any environment, making people smile and changing their lives. Even those who have undergone severe mistreatment and neglect display an exceptional level of forgiveness and resilience. Dogs embody pure love, and with affection, they can achieve extraordinary feats.
Kardi is a dog that has turned the love she received into something truly amazing. Although her life started off on a sad note, everything changed when she met Kelsey. It was with Kelsey that Kardi experienced genuine affection for the first time. According to Kelsey, who is Kardi’s owner, this was the turning point in Kardi’s story.
On October 11, 2012, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Kardi. She had been abandoned by a breeder and had already been spayed at the age of two. As if that wasn’t enough to break my heart, she had also spent most of her early years confined to a small cage. But despite her past hardships, I knew that Kardi had a lot of love to give and I was more than willing to provide her with a safe and loving home.
Initially, Kardi was quite timid and apprehensive, but soon adapted to her new surroundings and became comfortable. She accompanied me everywhere and being a college student, she made numerous acquaintances. Kardi is your typical French bulldog jester, always eager to bring about laughter and joy with her comical antics. Her silly personality is infectious, and she is never seen without a toy in her mouth, as she adores them.”
When my furry companion is not busy amusing herself with her toys, she enjoys taking a nap. She has developed a strong bond with me, her mom, and follows me everywhere I go. She is frequently regarded as my shadow and is undoubtedly a mommy’s girl.
When Kardi was in college, her friend’s brother passed away all of a sudden, leaving him in immense pain and suffering. Recognizing the need for support, Kardi stepped up and became a source of comfort for him during this challenging time. She spent hours sitting with him and even brought him toys to cheer him up. Her innate ability to provide emotional therapy to those in need made her a natural therapy dog.
In 2015, Kardi and Kelsey became an official therapy team after Kelsey noticed that Kardi had a natural inclination for this kind of work. Kardi’s expertise was in working with Alzheimer’s patients, and she would often nudge their hands to remind them to keep petting her, bringing many smiles to people in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, classrooms, and summer camps. However, that year was not without its challenges. Kardi was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which caused her to become paralyzed at the age of four. Despite being unable to use her hind legs and losing bowel control, Kardi remained optimistic and happy. This condition is caused by the premature aging and hardening of spinal discs, which can rupture into the spinal column. Unfortunately, Kardi was not a surgical candidate due to other health issues.
Kardi’s resilience throughout her paralysis was nothing short of remarkable. Despite the challenges, she remained positive and continued to grow stronger with each passing day. In no time, Kardi had mastered the art of pulling herself around on her front legs and could even outrun an average adult walking pace. Her unwavering determination did not go unnoticed, as a group of kind-hearted individuals at the veterinary clinic where her owners worked secretly pooled their resources to gift Kardi a pink Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair. Kardi was ecstatic when she was first strapped into her new wheelchair, and she has been unstoppable ever since.
Kardi has adapted incredibly well to her wheelchair and now uses it primarily for outdoor activities, preferring to scoot around the house on her own. She has learned how to navigate stairs, turn corners, and even lay down in her chair- all on her own! Kardi’s speed and agility in her wheelchair have earned her quite a bit of fame, including being featured in Walkin’ Pets’ calendars multiple times and winning a Budweiser Clydesdale Halloween costume contest in 2019. Kardi also enjoys spending time with her sister Bonnie Rose, who she has pulled in a cart while donning matching costumes.
After Kardi adapted to her new set of wheels, unfortunately, there was another setback. Hereditary health issues due to poor breeding caused Kardi to develop transitional cell carcinoma (TCC/bladder cancer), which was confirmed through an ultrasound in March 2020. Despite discussing various treatment options with Kardi’s internal medicine specialist, none were suitable due to her other medications. The devastating prognosis was that Kardi only had 3-6 months to live. This news crushed her owner Kelsey, who had always dreamed of having Kardi by her side on her wedding day. However, Kelsey was determined to give Kardi the best chance at life and refused to let her fight alone. Kardi’s strength and resilience through all her struggles were inspiring to Kelsey, who considered Kardi her soul dog. Kardi had many ups and downs after her diagnosis, but Kelsey never doubted that Kardi would be present at her wedding. Her connection with Kardi was unique, and Kardi was more than just a pet to her; she was her teammate and motivation. Her husband also loved Kardi and wanted her to be part of their special day.
Kardi and Kelsey proved to be a stronger and more resilient duo than anyone had anticipated. Kardi was initially expected to live only until the summer of 2020, but she managed to survive till February of the following year after being given a prognosis of just three to six months to live. She even got to witness her owner’s wedding, and according to Kelsey, Kardi was the star of the show.
During the wedding, Kardi was incorporated into the bridal photoshoot, where the photographer captured several special moments between Kardi and her human. Kardi, along with her sister Bonnie Rose, who has special needs, were the flower girls and were wheeled down the aisle in a wagon adorned with flowers. In the end, Kardi followed the newlyweds to their car during the sparkler send-off while pulling cans behind her, which were marked with the words “just married.”
Kardi’s story is truly inspiring as it shows that we should never underestimate dogs. Despite starting her life in a cage, unloved and unnoticed, she has managed to overcome numerous challenges with the love and support of someone who cares for her. Kardi’s incredible journey has earned her many fans and a loving family, who treat her like their own child.
Kelsey and her husband’s love for their dogs knows no bounds, and they often take them wherever they go. The couple has a soft spot for specially-abled dogs, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Make sure to follow Kardi on her social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and show your support as she bravely battles through her struggles.
Update as of March 2022: Kardi’s presence on her human’s wedding day was nothing short of a miracle, defying the odds after receiving a devastating diagnosis. Kelsey recently reached out to iHeartDogs to share the news that Kardi has passed over the Rainbow Bridge, despite being given just 3-6 months to live almost two years ago. With an abundance of love from her family and friends, Kardi had fought hard and lived a life that will serve as an inspiration to all dog lovers for years to come. Kelsey took to Facebook to announce Kardi’s final goodbye and thank everyone who had shown their love and support for her beloved companion.