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WEEKLY NEWS 2: American Chihuahua in Tokyo

Many Americans visit other countries as motivational speakers. They talk to audiences to inspire hope and courage by sharing stories. One thirteen-year-old recently visited Japanese schools and hospitals--but he didn't speak. He is unusual in more ways than one: he is a paraplegic Chihuahua named Willy, or Wheely Willy as he is affectionately known in America.

This is the first time Wheely Willy has visited Tokyo. He has such an inspirational story that he already appeared on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and CNN in America. Last week, he brought courage, perseverance, and tears to the eyes of those in Tokyo.

His story began many years ago when he was abandoned with severe injuries to his throat and to his spinal cord, which paralyzed his back legs. This made him a paraplegic. Willy could not walk or bark. Deborah Turner took him home from the animal hospital and tried many methods to help him walk again. Finally she made a set of wheels for him. His remarkable transformation into a happy, scampering dog was so profound that Deborah authored the children’s book How Willy Got His Wheels.

Willy overcame life’s difficult struggles with the help of his owner. His happy trot with wheels motivates many to seek answers to their problems instead of giving up when met with a challenge. After a two-week quarantine in Japan, Willy was able to share the joy of life with over a hundred students.

--Written by Katheryn Troyer

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