Dogs are perfect subjects for online virality and sensation. This is because of the quirky and entertaining things that they do.
Dexter, a Spaniel, is among the many dogs that have gone viral online. He has become the online world’s obsession, thanks to his ability to walk on his hind legs.
Walking like a human
While some dogs walk on all fours, Dexter has this impressive ability to walk using his hind legs. And he can cover great distances in Ouray, Colorado, his hometown.
Kentee Pasek, Dexter’s owner, says that everyone in town knows the dog. She even claims that the people in her town know Dexter more than they know her family.
Because of his one-of-a-kind ability, Dexter has not only become a fan favorite in his town; people online are also crazy about him. As of this writing, Dexter has over 70K followers on Instagram and more than 220K followers on TikTok.
Dexter’s sad story
While Dexter’s ability is certainly unique and adorable, the reason behind it is actually sad.
In 2016, one-year-old Dexter ran away from his home while tracking and sniffing for deer. He ran into the road where a truck hit him and severely injured his front legs.
Kentee thought that Dexter wouldn’t make it. But she said that she couldn’t put the dog down without giving him a chance.
Thankfully, Dexter’s vet believed that he would survive and even thrive. Dexter’s one leg got amputated while the other received surgically inserted pins.
After a few more surgeries and plenty of rehabilitation, Dexter started learning how to walk like a human. Soon enough, the dog had become comfortable with his new way of moving.
One day, when Dexter was out and about with a family member, a passer-by saw the dog’s unique walk. The said onlooker took a video of Dexter and posted it on TikTok,
What happened next was history. Dexter became viral, and he got his share of the spotlight. He was even featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Video Source: WKYC Channel 3 via YouTube