Move over, Boo: there's a special(-needs) new dog in the house! Quasi, found as a stray and since named after Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame character, is a handsome purebred German Shepherd with a rare genetic condition: short spine syndrome [1].

Only 14 dogs are known to have the condition, and Quasi's spine can't be operated on [2], according to his current caretakers at Secondhand Hounds in Eden Prairie, MN. Nevertheless, the brave pooch underwent a series of surgeries earlier this week, with visits in the works from a specialist to fix his "screw tail," [3] a vertebrae deformity. Quasi may not be able to move his head, but he's been known to bestow plenty of appreciative sloppy kisses on his chums at animal-rescue nonprofit Secondhand Hounds [4].

Once he's healed, Quasi will be available for adoption. Until then, he's successfully spread the word about special-needs animals in need of forever homes: his week-old Facebook page Quasi the Great [5] has already racked up more than 72,000 "likes." No wonder€” this doggy's sweet spirit shines through in all his photos. Continue to follow Quasi's journey here [6].