Toddler born without feet gets a puppy born without a paw

Sapphyre and Lt. Dan have become fast friends.

Toddler born without feet gets a puppy born without a paw

Sapphyre Johnson is three years old and, last Monday, she got her first pet - a German Shepherd pup.

As well as both being small and adorable, the pair have something very special in common.

Due to a birth defect, Sapphyre has no feet - she uses prosthetics. And her new puppy, Lt. Dan, is missing his front paw - also as a result of a birth defect.

Lt Dan - named for the character in Forrest Gump - was one of nine in a litter and when he was born, other breeders suggested to his owner, Karen Riddle, that he be put down. But Riddle had other ideas for him.

Sapphy and Lt.Dan. Pic via Greenvile Shriners Hospital/Facebook

She got in touch with Greenville Shriners Hospital in South Carolina to see if the otherwise healthy pup might be rehomed as a therapy dog or with a wounded veteran.

The hospital contacted the Johnsons and they were interested - Sapphyre has been a patient at the hospital since she was three months old.

Sapphyre's mother, Ashley explained her condition to Greenville Online:

“When I was seven months pregnant, they did an ultrasound and told us she may be missing some fingers and toes," she said.

“They don't know what caused it but she had just two really long toes on each foot. And when she was 1, we had them amputated so she could be fitted for prosthetics."

Now three, Sapphy was very excited to learn about her new puppy who is just like her.

"The first time I showed her a picture of the dog, she looked at it for a moment, and she said, 'That's my puppy. He's just like me,' " said Shriners child life specialist Elaine Hardin.

"He's a special dog and he's going to a special child."

Sapphy and Lt.Dan. Pic via Greenvile Shriners Hospital/Facebook

It is hoped that Lt, Dan will encourage Sapphy to be more active and that he will help her explain her situation to other kids.

"A lot of kids don't see other children or animals that have issues like they have," said the 3-year-old's father, Matthew Johnson

"This was a really nice thing," he said, "and a really good thing for Sapphyre."

And, if that wasn’t enough, the Shriners have offered to fit Lt.Dan with a prosthetic paw when he’s old enough.

Sapphy and Lt.Dan on the day they first met. Pic via Greenvile Shriners Hospital/Facebook

And Ashley says the pair have already bonded:

“Lt. Dan follows Sapphy around everywhere. He is always right there beside her. Wherever she goes, he goes.

“They’re already the best of friends.”

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