• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

This dog ran in her wheelchair for the 1st time and she can’t control her excitement

1:02
This dog ran with her wheelchair for the first time and living her best life
ABCNews.com
Faith Bernstein: Digital Video Producer for Good Morning America
ByFaith Bernstein
August 14, 2019, 8:46 AM

After a dog named Pigeon was in a car accident, her rear legs were left paralyzed and her owner abandoned her.

As it happened, the owner of a dog-sitting business in Savannah, Georgia, had just lost a dog who bore a striking similarity to Pigeon. After seeing a picture, she knew it was meant to be.

And now, thanks to an adoring owner and a specially-made wheelchair, Pigeon is living her best life.

"She's joy personified."

“She looked exactly like my dog who had just died and I knew we were meant to be together,” Pigeon's mom, Erica, told “GMA." “She’s just so capable that you forget that she’s paralyzed."

Erica has a deep love for animals, so she knew she could give Pigeon everything she needed.

But when she took Pigeon home for the first time, she says she could already tell Pigeon was a wild child.

“I remember thinking, 'Wow, this dog has more energy than I’ve ever seen,” she said.

From the beginning, Pigeon hopped around the house on her front two legs without any assistance.

“She just hit the ground running and was fast, if not faster than the other dogs,” said Erica.

She had the personality of a fighter, and Erica called her “the most inspirational being I have ever been around.”

Pigeon was in a car accident that paralyzed her back legs, but her unbridled joy running with and without her wheelchair has made her story go viral.
Instagram: Pigeonpup

After an initial surgery to ensure she wouldn’t be in any pain, Pigeon was getting around fine, bouncing her way through life. But Erica wanted to get her a wheelchair so she wouldn’t have to hop and could truly run.

She took her to get fitted for a wheelchair at Eddie’s Wheels, an organization that specializes in making wheelchairs for animals.

What resulted is a moment of complete, unbridled joy. A video of Pigeon running and bouncing the second she got put in her new wheels quickly went viral.

Pigeon was in a car accident that paralyzed her back legs, but her unbridled joy running with and without her wheelchair has made her story go viral.
Instagram: Pigeonpup

"It's hard to describe her — she's joy personified. Joy and tenacity probably," Erica said.

“She’s stronger and more resilient than I’ve ever been and she inspires me every single day. It is difficult to have a bad day around Pigeon.”

Pigeon was in a car accident that paralyzed her back legs, but her unbridled joy running with and without her wheelchair has made her story go viral.
Instagram: Pigeonpup

Up Next in Living—

June's full strawberry moon: See photos and what it means for your zodiac

June 11, 2025

High school athlete somersaults to track and field championship win

June 10, 2025

Michaels buys Joann brand, plans to expand crafting supply to meet demand

June 6, 2025

Approximately 1.7 million air conditioners voluntarily recalled for potential mold exposure

June 6, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News