A six-legged puppy named Ariel, who was found abandoned in a parking lot in Pembroke, Wales in the United Kingdom a few months ago, is now recovering from surgery to remove her additional limbs.
When Ariel, a Spaniel mix, was discovered in September 2023, she was examined by vets at the Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital, who said she was born with multiple birth defects, including those additional limbs and two vulvas.
Facebook/Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital
The procedures to remove her extra body parts took around two hours, and Ariel was walking and eating by the next day, said surgeon Aaron Lutchman, who performed the surgery with colleague Ed Friend.
"She's bounced back and she's a happy little dog and we're hoping she's going to go on to lead a fabulous little life," Lutchman said. "She's got her own little character and even though she's had a tough start in life she really has done well to come through this as she has... if we can do what we can to help then that's just absolutely brilliant."
With no owner or forever home, Ariel captured the heartstrings of pet lovers across the world, who sent in donations totaling around $19,000, thanks to a fundraising effort on her behalf.
Facebook, Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital
"The response we've had to Ariel's story so far, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible—so I've no doubt she'll be snapped up," Lutchman said. "I just can't say enough of a thank you to everyone who's contributed to helping her."
For now, Ariel is recovering with a foster family in West Wales. Handlers can start to consider finding her an adopter after she recuperates full with several weeks of physiotherapy and recovery, according to Lutchman.
Ariel got her name from the title character of The Little Mermaid, because her extra legs resembled a fishtail. Despite her outer abnormalities, internally she's a healthy pup, and all her organs are all as they should be.
