Thanks to a Wheelchair, This Pit Bull Gets to Enjoy Beautiful Adventures With His Owners

Learn the incredible story of Mel from our friends at This Dog's Life. This Pit Bull mix doesn't let anything get in the way of his adventures.

Named Mel, the dog was adopted by photographer Tom Dilworth and his wife Tamara, a teacher, after they visited the Yonkers Animal Shelter in New York. Initially, the pair had gone to see another dog but when the pup wasn't a good fit, the staff brought out Mel.

"I had taken him for a walk and had stopped for a moment to take a break. When I did, he came over and rested his head on my leg," Tom tells This Dog's Life. "We knew then that he was the one."

After having Mel in their household for a few weeks, the Dilworths noticed the 8-year-old dog was having a little trouble walking and initially thought he was just clumsy.

"It slowly got worse and we realized it was more than that," Dilworth says. Taking him to the vet, he was diagnosed with cerebellar abiotrophy, a neurological condition that makes balance and coordination difficult.

To help stabilize Mel, Tom and Tamara began using a harness but decided a wheelchair may be a better solution. After reaching out to Eddie's Wheels for Pets, the pair decided to get Mel a set of wheels. At first, it took some getting used to Mel, but after a few adjustments, the pup was ready to take on the world.

"As soon as he is in, he is off and running. Often he tries to head out before he is even all in," says Dilworth. "Once he is, watch you feet, because he will roll over them."

Because the wheels have allowed Mel's mobility to greatly improve, the Dilworths are able to take him on some pretty amazing adventures — including exploring the mountains, the ocean and many nature paths on hiking excursions.