Special Report: Lifesaving link

This "lifesaving link" is connecting big hearted animal lovers with pets and owners in need.

Just look at her go......

This determined dog has a new leash on life...thanks to a bunch of caring people and a few clicks of the mouse.

Johanna, who now calls New England home, was found severly beaten and close to death.

Paul Coover/ Johanna's Owner
"She was attacked by three teenage boys with baseball bats. The nerves in her spinal column have been severed so she will never walk again."

That's when a New Hampshire based website called handicappedpets.com came to her rescue.

The site connects big hearted animal lovers from all around the globe, to help raise money for medical needs, find homes for pets with special needs and just offer caring advice.

Surfing the site, you'll find heartwarming stories, like the one of Barkley from Taunton, who had a tumor and needed life saving surgery.

His owner was struggling to pay the vet bills, so people from all over the country sent in hundreds of dollars in donations.

Mark Robinson started the company after losing his own dog...he says way too soon.

Mark Robinson/Handicappedpets.com
"It's a personal mission..it's a personal mission to let people know that handicapped pets, disabled and elderly pets, can live long, healthy quality of lives."

Deb Winters/Handicappedpets.com
"What we hear from customers a lot is that 'I know it's not time.' "

In Johanna's case, it brought together a class of kids in Oklahoma and a dog lover in Maine.

These perfect strangers logged on the site, and ended up teaming up to give this precious pooch a fighting chance.

Paul Coover/Johanna's Owner
"Everytime I see her it just brings a smile to my face because here's a dog that through so much adversity has come out on top."

Many pet owners struggle with injured and aging dogs...

so, the site offers everything from seatbelts to slings and special leashes.

Mark Robinson/Handicappedpets.com
"It supports the dog from the back end when his legs are weak. It helps him walk."

And in Johanna's case, the site proved to be a true lifesaver.

Although the website deals with mostly dogs, they also help other pets -- the list includes some interesting characters like rats and hedgehogs.

Related link:
Handicapped Pets