Did you know that a little Donegal dog has millions of fans around the world due to her unique walk?
Swiper Kelly, from Ardara, doesn’t walk or run like other dogs.
Instead, she trots and bounces along, as happy as can be.
And her special moves have captured the hearts of dog lovers all over social media.
Swiper’s gait is the result of a serious brain injury she suffered when she was just a few weeks old. The pup was bitten by a larger dog on the side of her head, which caused a brain puncture and permanent damage.
The injury was so severe that Swiper’s owners were advised to put her asleep – but they couldn’t face losing her.
Owner Sabia Kelly told Donegal Daily: “My mum being the animal lover she is made the decision to take Swiper home and see how she would be, it was a very hard few months after that but Swiper really is a miracle in our eyes.”
Seven years later, Swiper is a healthy and active dog – and famous too!
The little dog shot to viral internet fame in November 2018 when Sabia posted a video of her ‘precious trots’ on Twitter. Four and a half million people watched the clip and fell in love with Swiper.
https://twitter.com/sabia_k/status/1058095332171702273?lang=en
With global attention on their pet, the Kelly’s then decided to set up an Instagram page to showcase more cute clips of the ‘special doggo’ in action. Now Swiper has over 26,000 loyal fans on her own page.
“Knowing so many people love her the way we do is such an amazing feeling, every time I post either a story picture or video about her all the love comments come flooding in,” Sabia said.
Swiper takes the fame in her stride, Sabia says. Swiper lives with her mum Ruby and Bonnie, the newest pup in the house.
She is well-able to keep up with the other dogs and gets nothing but love and cuddles every single day at home, while her fans look forward to video updates from Ardara.
“She really does have so many people caring about her out there, there is always messages from the same people asking how she is and even new followers, Sabia said.
“A few people have messaged the Instagram page with stuff that they think can cure her, but I don’t want to accept those things as I don’t think you can reverse what has happened and I don’t think we would want to either, we wouldn’t have the adorable unique Swiper we have today.”
You can follow Swiper’s activities on Instagram @swiper_kelly
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