A group of well-behaved canine travelers and their people were enough to brighten anyone’s day.   On a grassy stretch behind Virden’s Valleyview Co-op Gas Bar, four dogs on leashes were eye catching – dogs with prosthetics and leg braces.

“Purebred rescue is their breed,” Lynn, one of the dog owners said with a smile.

This couple was on their way from Barrie, Ont. to visit family north of Calgary. The large motor home parked nearby was home away from home for the dog pack and people as they headed westward.

    Three of the dogs came from Russia with a history of special needs. They had missing appendages to show for a life that had been rough on them. Two of these dogs had been abused or neglected, while the other dog had been struck by a vehicle. But they were happy dogs now.

Gemma the small blonde dog has prosthetics on her hind legs. The pure black is “Kenzie Eileen, because she always leans on me,” says Lynn. Kensie is missing a hind limb.   Stewie has white on his chest and he has prosthetics too.

Jersey, the couple’s newest dog is a bully breed. Her legs were fine but she was rescued from the United States and it was evident this gentle girl had recently nursed puppies. “She was found in an abandoned home with her babies. Good mom. Great dog,” said the owners.  This was Jersey’s first motor home trip.

As the crew turned to load up, Lynn said, “Rescues are the best breed.”