When two golden retriever puppies were abandoned at a rural shelter in North Carolina, staff quickly realized something was wrong. The full-bred golden retrievers, later named Blanche and Dorothy, could not stand up straight or walk like other puppies their age. Their legs splayed out to the sides, and instead of taking steps, they appeared to paddle against the floor. The shelter reached out to Forgotten, Now Family Rescue in Charlotte, hoping that founder Chrissy Elder could help. What followed became a powerful story of resilience, rescue, and second chances, and a moving example of how swimmer puppy syndrome does not have to define a dog’s future.

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According to Elder, Blanche and Dorothy had been born with swimmer puppy syndrome, often called “swimmers.” In this condition, a puppy’s legs extend out from the sides of their body, and they make swimming-like motions when trying to move. Without intervention, they struggle to stand or walk, and their quality of life can be severely affected. In Blanche and Dorothy’s case, the breeder who owned them apparently saw no value in puppies who could not walk, and they were left at the shelter once it became clear they were not “perfect” in the commercial sense.

Elder shared that this was not the first time she had seen puppies with medical conditions abandoned when they required extra care. She noted that to the breeder, these little dogs were suddenly worth nothing financially, so they were dropped at the shelter and forgotten. Yet for Elder and her rescue, these puppies were not a burden. They were exactly the kind of animals Forgotten, Now Family Rescue exists to help.

When Elder first met Blanche and Dorothy, she felt an immediate connection. The shelter staff were already heartbroken by the situation, but they understood that the rescue could provide the specialized attention these puppies needed. Elder later wrote that she fell in love as soon as she saw them. The puppies were at an age when many dogs are exploring the world on wobbly legs and playful paws. Blanche and Dorothy, however, could only press their bellies against the ground and move their limbs in wide, swimming motions.

Swimmer puppy syndrome can sound intimidating, but Elder had experience on her side. She had fostered and rehabilitated other “swimmers” before, and she knew there was real hope for Blanche and Dorothy. She explained that she had worked with many puppies who started life just like these two, and those dogs eventually learned to run. With a track record of successful rehabilitation behind her, she felt confident that the golden sisters could have the same outcome. I found this detail striking because it highlights how knowledge and patience can transform what at first looks like a hopeless situation into a story of possibility.

Once Elder brought Blanche and Dorothy home, an intensive treatment plan began. There was no quick fix, only consistent, daily work. The process included physical therapy to help strengthen their muscles and encourage correct leg positioning. Water therapy also played a role, giving the puppies a way to practice movement with less pressure on their joints. In addition, brace assistance helped guide their legs into more natural alignment, giving their bodies a chance to relearn how to stand.

Recovery is rarely a straight line, and Blanche and Dorothy’s journey took time. At first, they struggled simply to get their legs underneath them. Their bodies had grown used to splaying out, and every small correction required patience. Elder committed to the long-term effort, trusting that each day’s exercises would eventually add up to real change. Throughout this period, the two puppies lived in her home, surrounded by care, structure, and affection while they worked through their physical challenges.

The healing, however, was not one-sided. Elder herself was recovering from surgery when she took in Blanche and Dorothy. As she focused on her own post-operative recovery, the puppies became a source of comfort and calm. She described them as the best cuddle buddies, a presence that helped her through a vulnerable time. In that sense, each participant helped the others heal. The puppies relied on Elder for the therapy and support that would allow them to walk, while Elder found in them companionship and a renewed connection to the mission of her rescue.

Gradually, Blanche and Dorothy began to change. What started as an inability to stand grew into moments where they could support themselves on their legs. Over time, those small victories evolved into the ability to straighten their limbs and hold themselves upright. The transformation was not just physical. As their bodies grew stronger, their personalities had more room to shine through playful movement and exploration.

Soon, the once-splayed legs that had kept them grounded began to carry them forward. According to Elder, the puppies eventually progressed to standing tall, then to running. Watching them move freely for the first time was a powerful moment. The same dogs who had been left at a shelter because they could not walk were now hopping, playing, and racing around like any other young golden retrievers. Their journey from the floor of a kennel to running in open space underscored just how life changing early intervention and compassionate care can be for puppies with swimmer puppy syndrome.

As their rehabilitation continued, Elder became increasingly confident that Blanche and Dorothy would be ready for adoption soon. She shared that the two golden girls were progressing incredibly and that they might be ready to go to their forever homes within a few weeks. Finding the right families is an essential part of the process. The goal is not only to place the puppies in homes, but to ensure those homes understand their history and are ready to provide a lifetime of love and care.

For Elder, Blanche and Dorothy embody everything Forgotten, Now Family Rescue stands for. The puppies were easily disregarded by the breeder once they did not meet narrow standards, yet the rescue saw them as deserving companions with bright futures. Elder described fostering them as an honor and emphasized that, within her organization, these dogs are not throwaways; they are family. Their story serves as a reminder that animals with special challenges are not broken or less worthy. With informed care, many can thrive and live full, joyful lives.

Blanche and Dorothy’s transformation from abandoned swimmer puppies to confident runners is more than a feel-good moment. It illustrates the impact that specialized rescues, dedicated fosters, and proper rehabilitation can have on animals who might otherwise be overlooked. By sharing stories like this, organizations help raise awareness about conditions such as swimmer puppy syndrome and encourage more people to consider adopting animals who need a little extra support.

As Blanche and Dorothy prepare for the next chapter in their lives, the love and work invested in them continues to echo the guiding belief behind Forgotten, Now Family Rescue: no animal is disposable, and every dog deserves a chance to be seen, helped, and cherished. Read more at