Addie, a Tucson rescue dog with a rare joint condition, needs a forever home

When 4-year-old pit bull mix Addie was rescued a year ago, she couldn't walk. 

Addie has immune-mediated polyarthritis, which resulted in the erosion of the joints in her front legs. She was in so much pain that all she could do was crawl.

Save-A-Bull Rescue, based in Tucson, took in Addie as a stray. And despite the pain she was in, Addie has always been a ray of light, Emily D'Amore, director of the rescue says.

"Due to the severity of her condition, she was deemed a non-surgical candidate," D'Amore says. "Getting her braces was her only shot at living a happy and mobile life."

So, with the help of Rescue Bank, a program with GreaterGood.org, Addie was able to get custom leg braces — and she's now able to walk and run, almost pain-free.

"It's incredible to see her move around, especially seeing where she started," D'Amore says.

"Once she got the braces and was fitted for them, there was no turning back," D'Amore says. "She wore them like she was born with them. She knew that was her key to walking pain-free."

Addie is currently ready for adoption and is waiting to meet her forever family.

"People see her and anticipate that there's a lot that goes into a special needs dog, but Addie is like any other dog," D'Amore says. "She can give you just as much love, if not more."

D'Amore says Addie's future family would have to put her braces on in the morning and take them off at night — a simple process similar to putting on your shoes every day, she says. Addie also takes medication to help regulate any pain.

"Long-term, it's just making sure her quality of life is good," D'Amore says, adding that Addie might have frequent vet visits as she gets older.

D'Amore says Addie is a people-lover. Addie is good around kids, but might do best in a household without any. And if you have other dogs, the rescue will help facilitate trial periods to ensure the dogs get along.

"Addie enjoys daily walks, but just wants to be by her person's side," D'Amore says. "All she wants to do is cuddle and give kisses. She really is the best — one of the sweetest companions we have in our rescue."

As for the Save-A-Bull Rescue, the organization takes in dogs that need a little extra attention.

"It was her polyarthritis that made her, in a shelter-setting, at risk for euthanasia," D'Amore says. "We're trying to show the community that these are great dogs. They're perfectly imperfect."

Interested in adopting Addie? Visit the rescue's website. And scroll down to see Addie!