Move over Jimothy: Dog with same short spine syndrome as raccoon melts hearts on internet
Dog with same short spine syndrome as raccoon Jimothy melts hearts on internet
Jimothy, the viral raccoon, isn't the only internet star with short spine syndrome. Meet Cooper, the lovable rescue dog winning hearts on social media. (Credit: Facebook page Cooper - Short On Spine, Big On Love)
Move over, Jimothy. There’s a new short-stature superstar stealing the internet’s heart – and this one happens to have four paws and a wagging tail.
Cooper, an American Foxhound, was born with the same disorder as viral sensation raccoon Jimothy.
Cooper, a 9-year-old American Foxhound, was born with short spine syndrome (SSS) – the same rare condition made famous by Jimothy the raccoon, who recently took social media by storm.
Dog named Cooper born with same spine syndrome as Jimothy
What they're saying:
Cooper’s journey began in Virginia, where his owners originally took him in as a one-year-old rescue foster.
"We were his fosters and never let him go!," his owners told FOX Local.
Big picture view:
According to Petco, short spine syndrome in dogs is an extraordinarily rare congenital disorder that makes dogs look like they have no neck. While some unique health issues go along with the condition, many dogs with spine problems like SSS can still live long and content lives with their pet parents.
After being adopted by his foster family in Virginia, Cooper has thrived despite limited mobility. (Credit: Facebook page, Cooper - Short On Spine, Big On Love)
Cooper’s owner noted that his condition is genetic, and researchers are currently studying the genome to better understand how it occurs. While Cooper copes with limited mobility and an unusual anatomy, he remains a happy, thriving pet.
"Cooper is a sweet puppy, a great family dog and one of a rare group," his owner continued.
Spreading awareness, one antic at a time
Dig deeper:
Currently, Cooper’s daily life is fully documented across social media, where fans flock to watch his whimsical antics. In a recent post, the upbeat pup "reintroduced" himself with an important message for his followers:
RELATED: Who is 'Jimothy'? Why a Seattle raccoon has gone viral
"Short spine syndrome is adorable and I am adorable, but my goal isn’t more short spine animals," Cooper said. "My goal is awareness, to know that we live normal lives. If we are born, we don’t need to be euthanized. I am a normal family pup. Just like Jimothy is living a good raccoon life, he doesn’t need rescuing. We can admire, but he’s happy in his natural environment. We short spiners are very entertaining, so stick around to see all of my antics!"
Jimothy the raccoon goes viral
The backstory:
Cooper's renewed attention on social media came just days after a racoon with short spine syndrome, affectionately named "Jimothy," was spotted roaming around Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. Neighbors posted videos of the miniature mammal online, which have since amassed millions of views.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by the "Cooper - Short On Spine, Big On Love" Facebook page, along with Cooper’s owner. This story was reported from Los Angeles.