Fla. dog makes recovery on wheels

MIAMI (WHDH) -- It's a rough recovery for one pooch, but a generous donation is wheeling him in the right direction.

The little dog was severely injured in a fall, but his owner was able to fetch him some much-needed help.

Little Nene is a chihuahua who loves to sing along to Marc Anthony, but life hasn't been easy for this pint-sized pooch. "I can't take him out," said Martha Poplin. "He used to love to run, he used to love to walk."

Nene fell from an apartment balcony in Northwest Miami. After someone was watching him for the day, they accidentally left the door open.

His owner, Martha, got the terrifying call that her dog had fallen five stories. "I went crazy," said Poplin. "I was crying all the way down the expressway, saying 'God, don't let him go before I get there. Let him be alive.'"

Miraculously, Nene survived the fall, but his hind legs were paralyzed. To get around, he would slowly drag his back legs across the floor. As hard as it was to watch, Martha could not bear the thought of putting down her precious pup. "I strongly believe that if he survived," said Poplin, "there was a purpose for him. I didn't want to take his life."

Fortunately, she found Susan Soltero who runs a new nonprofit organization called Tico's Pawket which helps pet owners with medical bills. "For any family," said Soltero, "that has an animal that has a problem, that has a medical condition, that they may not be able to financially take care of, we provide help for those people who really love their animals and want to keep them."

Susan reached out to a man in California who makes doggie wheelchairs, and thanks to some generous donations, she got Nene some new wheels.

7News was there as Nene took his first wobbly steps and after a few minutes, he was wheeling along the sidewalk. "Oh, my God," said Soltero. "This is so great. It's awesome. He's going to be able to move around now and have a little more freedom."

Martha said she is so glad she didn't give up on Nene and can't wait for the day that he is running again. "I'm going to walk him," said Poplin. "He is going to live a normal life again. Thank you. Thank you, Susan."

Nene was the first animal that Tico's Pawket was able to help. For more info on this organization:

Tico's Pawket
Founder: Susan Soltero
305-978-9333