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Paralyzed dog found by Canadian model in Thailand gets new home, life in Canada

Meagan Penman and Leo in Canada

Several months ago, Ottawa-based model Meagan Penman was vacationing in Thailand when she spotted a dog dragging its hind legs on a beach.

Penman contacted a number of Thai shelters, but none were equipped to take in such an extreme case.

She named the pup Leo and took him to a local vet, who discovered the dog had a broken back and had no feeling in his legs. He would never be able to walk again.

Determined to give Leo a second chance at life, Penman started raising money on GoFundMe.com and YouCaring.com, hoping to fund the dog’s relocation to Canada, and cover his medical expenses — including the cost of a dog wheelchair.

She also started chronicling Leo’s story on Facebook.

"I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into at first but next thing I knew I was in the middle of a huge process that took months to finally pull off," Penman told the Daily Mail.

"There were times where I was so stressed and frustrated but I would not let myself take no for an answer. So many people told me he would be better off put down, but you can’t put a value on a life.

"He was in such distress and I couldn’t just ignore this kind of neglect. No animal deserves a life like that."

Donations poured in, surpassing Penman’s financial goals.

After three months in the veterinarian’s care, Leo flew to Canada. Penman found a foster home for him in Sarnia, Ontario. Jamie Smith, the dog’s new foster mother, was able to get Leo a wheelchair so he could regain some mobility.

She is a really awesome person and I am very happy that he ended up with her. I am by no means a professional dog rescuer but I could not have left him there so I did what I could to get him home,” Penman wrote about Leo’s new home.

“I’d say Leo is pretty much set for the rest of his days. We have received well over 5000 in donations with the combination of both funding sites which will be put into a bank account so Jamie can access it whenever Leo needs something. He’s got his own little trust fund. You made this happen! Pat yourselves on the back people, Leo wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of your generosity. Thank you,” Penman wrote to Leo’s supporters on Facebook.

Penman hopes to visit Leo at his new home soon.

"He still has some health issues that are being dealt with but he is doing really well," she told the Daily Mail.

"Jamie has a lot of time for him and they are really enjoying each others company, they go for many walks and he gets to go to the park and chase squirrels. I am so happy that he ended up with her, they are great for each other. And I am hoping to make the journey to visit them in the next couple of months."