Burrito’s Comeback Journey

In May 2025, Flying Pig Sanctuary rescued Burrito from a property where he had been dumped alongside 25 other dogs. He had zero use of his hind end. He was skin and bones. Covered in hundreds of ticks. And emotionally, he was very close to giving up.

That first day, as we bathed him and gently removed ticks from his frail body, something incredible happened.

His tail wagged.

That small movement told us everything: there was still fight in him.

We rushed Burrito to a neurologist. After a CT scan and MRI, we learned this wasn’t a traumatic injury — it was a virus that had attacked his spine and deteriorated two vertebrae. The infection and inflammation had robbed him of movement, but his spinal cord was still intact.

There was hope.

We immediately began aggressive treatment to clear the infection and reduce the inflammation around the bone, praying that as his body healed, he might regain function.

And Burrito has proven, over and over again, that he is a fighter.

For months, he has traveled an hour and fifteen minutes each way to Chattanooga twice a week for acupuncture and intensive physical therapy, including the underwater treadmill. Through every appointment, every exercise, every long car ride, he has given it everything he has.

Today, Burrito can:

• Stand on his own

• Take wobbly but determined steps

• Hold himself upright

And what he loves most? His wheelchair.

On his wheels, Burrito runs with the pack — all 11 of our resident dogs. He plays. He chases. He cuddles. He sleeps in a pile of fur just like any other dog. Watching him come back from the brink of despair has been one of the most rewarding journeys we’ve ever experienced at the sanctuary.

To continue Burrito’s progress, we need help with:

• A new, improved custom wheelchair: $1,000–$1,500

• Weekly physical therapy & acupuncture: $250 per week

• Ongoing travel expenses to Chattanooga

Every dollar raised helps Burrito keep strengthening, healing, and defying the odds. Can you be the help he needs?

4/29/26 Update

Thank you to everyone who supported Burrito on his healing journey! He is doing incredibly well! Flying Pigs Sanctuary recently took him to the vet for a UTI and to get a large bump on his hind leg checked out, but fortunately, it was nothing major, and Burrito is continuing to do well and is receiving lots of care and love. Thank you!

4/29/26 Update

4/29/26 Update

Thank you to everyone who supported Burrito on his healing journey! He is doing incredibly well! Flying Pigs Sanctuary recently took him to the vet for a UTI and to get a large bump on his hind leg checked out, but fortunately, it was nothing major, and Burrito is continuing to do well and is receiving lots of care and love. Thank you!