Rescued puppy with no feet gets prosthetic paws

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (WPVI) -- A rescued puppy in Wake Forest, North Carolina, born with no feet is getting a paw-sitively, life-changing gift - a new pair of paws.

His name is Teddy and his owner just had him fitted for prosthetic paws at North Carolina State University.

"He was supposed to be a temporary foster for me, but I took one look at him when I first got him, and I decided he was not going to any other foster," said Barbara Bradley, Teddy's owner. "I just fell in love with him."

Bradley has fostered quite a few animals in the past, but she welcomed Teddy into his forever home when he was only 10 weeks old. Teddy, a rescued Boston Terrier, had stubs for feet and no pads on his front paws.

"He doesn't even know there's anything different about him," Bradley said. "He just walks along like a normal dog."

While Teddy has plenty of energy, his front paws are starting to callous and cause him pain. Barbara decided to have two prosthetic front paws made for him, costing her $2,900.

"They're not cheap," Bradley said with a laugh.

The prosthetics are a big deal because they help Teddy do everyday things, like enjoying a walk outside.

While Teddy's new paws protect the bottom of his legs, Bradley hopes to protect many more animals in need.

"Even if I have my fosters that come in and need extra treatment, if I can do it and the rescue can't, I will do that," she said. "I don't think an animal is just an animal. I think it's got a life, it's got a purpose and it deserves the best it can have."