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{{about|children's book character|Wikipedia vandal|WP:WILLY}}
{{Infobox animal
{{Infobox animal
| name = Willy
| name = Willy
| image = How Willy Got His Wheels cover.jpg
| image = Wheely Willy.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_size =
| caption = Book cover for ''How Willy Got His Wheels''
| caption =
| birthname =
| birth_name =
| othername =
| othername =
| species =[[Dog]]
| species = [[Dog]]
| breed =[[Chihuahua]]
| breed = [[Chihuahua (dog)|Chihuahua]]
| gender = male
| gender = male
| birthdate = c.1991
| birth_date = {{circa}} 1991
| birthplace =
| birth_place =
| deathdate = {{BirthDeathAge| |1991| | |2009|12|29}}
| death_date = {{BirthDeathAge| |1991| | |2009|12|22}}
| deathplace =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| relativeage =
| relativeage =
| nationality =
| nationality =
| occupation =
| occupation =
| employer =
| role =
| role =
| yearsactive =
| years_active =
| known = raising awareness for disabilities
| known = raising awareness for disabilities
| tricks =
| tricks =
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| title =
| title =
| term =
| term =
| predecessor =
| owner = Deborah Turner
| successor =
| owner =
| parents =
| parents =
| children =
| children =
| weight =
| weight = {{convert|4|lb|kg}}
| height =
| height =
| appearance =
| appearance =
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}}
}}


'''Wheely Willy''' (1991-2009) was a [[paraplegia|paraplegic]] [[Chihuahua (dog)|chihuahua]] from [[Long Beach, California]] who became a [[celebrity]] as the subject of two bestselling [[children's literature|children's book]]s. He made frequent public appearances promoting mutual understanding among those with and without physical [[disability]]. Following appearances on the [[Animal Planet]] [[television network]], he was popularly dubbed '''Wheely Willy'''.
'''Willy''' ({{circa}} 1991–2009) was a [[paraplegia|paraplegic]] [[Chihuahua (dog)|chihuahua]] from [[Long Beach, California]] who became a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling [[children's literature|children's book]]s. He made frequent public appearances promoting mutual understanding among those with and without [[physical disability|physical disabilities]]. Following appearances on the television network [[Animal Planet]], he was popularly dubbed '''Wheely Willy'''.


==Background==
==Background==
Willy was found abandoned in a cardboard box with spinal injuries and a cut throat. Taken in by a [[Veterinarian|veterinary]] [[hospital]] and treated, Willy stayed there for a year unadopted. Learning that the dog would be [[Euthanasia|euthanised]] if not adopted, pet groomer Deborah Turner decided to bring him home.
Willy was found abandoned in a cardboard box with [[spinal injuries]] and his [[devocalization|vocal cords sliced]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Kate |title=Broken cookies are still sweet: A shout-out to special-needs pets and their rescuers and adopters |url=https://lbpost.com/hi-lo/pets/pet-projects-broken-cookies-are-still-sweet-a-shout-out-to-special-needs-pets-and-their-rescuers-and-adopters |work=Long Beach Post |date=September 28, 2015}}</ref> Taken in by a [[veterinary hospital]] and treated, Willy remained there for a year unadopted. Learning that the dog would be [[Euthanasia|euthanised]] if not adopted, pet groomer Deborah Turner decided to bring him home.


Initially, the two [[pound (mass)|pound]] (one [[kilogram]]) Willy needed to be carried everywhere, but Turner made several attempts to allow the dog to move autonomously. She tried attaching large [[helium]]-filled [[balloon]]s to the dog's hindquarters and then placing him on a [[skateboard]], with little success. Ultimately, an advertisement for K-9 Carts, a type of [[wheelchair]] designed for canine applications, came to her attention. Willy adapted to this mode of transportation in short order; curiosity from Turner's customers and acquaintances led to local news coverage and steadily increased to international notability.
Initially, the two pound (one kilogram) Willy needed to be carried everywhere, but Turner made several attempts to allow the dog to move autonomously. She tried attaching large [[helium]]-filled [[balloon]]s to the dog's hindquarters and then placing him on a [[skateboard]], with little success. Ultimately, an advertisement for K9 Carts, a type of [[wheelchair]] designed for canine applications, came to her attention. Willy adapted to this mode of transportation in short order; curiosity from Turner's customers and acquaintances led to local news coverage and steadily increased to international notability.


Willy made visits internationally, most often to hospitals, but he also participated in such events as the [[cystic fibrosis|Cystic Fibrosis]] Fun Walk and the [[Los Angeles Marathon]]. He made several appearances on television [[talk shows]] and news programs. In 2004, following the Japanese translation of ''How Willy Got His Wheels'', Willy flew to Japan and was given a pilot's cap by [[All Nippon Airways]] senior vice president Junko Yamauchi.<ref>{{cite news |title=US chihuahua wows Japanese crowds |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3859967.stm |work=BBC News |date=July 2, 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040704040449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3859967.stm |archivedate=July 4, 2004 |quote='I feel so sorry for him because he has broken legs,' said eight-year-old Yoshishiro Aoki.}}</ref> He stayed for two weeks and met the royal prince and princess.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Hannah Jane |title=From Félicette the space cat to Dolly the sheep – which animals should be given a statue? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2017/oct/23/from-felicette-the-space-cat-to-dolly-the-sheep-which-animals-should-be-given-a-statue |work=The Guardian |date=October 23, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
Willy made visits internationally, most often to hospitals, but he also participated in such events as the [[cystic fibrosis|Cystic Fibrosis]] Fun Walk and the [[Los Angeles Marathon]]. He made several appearances on television [[talk shows]] and [[news]] programs.


The dog's tenacity and good nature are frequently cited as an inspiration by people who have encountered him.
The dog's tenacity and good nature were frequently cited as an inspiration by people who encountered him.


Wheely Willy died on December 22, 2009. He and his owner had both sustained injuries when the owner slipped on a porch made wet and slick from a rainstorm. Willy was unable to recover from his injuries.<ref>http://www.ocregister.com/articles/willy-227411-deborah-wheely.html</ref>
Willy died on December 22, 2009. He and his owner both sustained injuries when the owner slipped on a porch made wet and slick from a rainstorm. Willy was unable to recover from his injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/willy-227411-deborah-wheely.html|title=Wheely Willy, superstar Chihuahua, dies|last=Basheda|first=Lori|work=The Orange County Register|date=January 7, 2010|accessdate=March 8, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026091748/https://www.ocregister.com/2010/01/07/wheely-willy-superstar-chihuahua-dies/ |archivedate=October 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Diamantides |first1=Nick |title=Wheely Willy goes to dog heaven after touching thousands of lives |url=https://signaltribunenewspaper.com/5247/uncategorized/wheely-willy-goes-to-dog-heaven-after-touching-thousands-of-lives/ |work=Signal Tribune |date=December 31, 2009}}</ref>


==Bibliography==
==See also==
{{Portal|Children's literature}}
[[Image:How Willy Got His Wings cover.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Wheely Willy]]
* [[List of individual dogs]]
⚫
*Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Rhonda McHugh, illustrator (1998). ''How Willy got his Wheels''. ISBN 0-944875-54-8
⚫
*Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Sue Ehrends, illustrator (2003). ''How Willy Got His Wings: The Further Adventures of Wheely Willy''. ISBN 0-944875-88-2
⚫
*Colleen Needles, Kit Carlson, Kim Levin (2000). ''Working Dogs: Tales from Animal Planet's K-9 to 5 World''. ISBN 1-56331-843-1

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[http://www.wheelywilly.com/ Wheely Willy and Friends] official web site
⚫
*[http://www.barkandsmile.com/feature2.html Creature Feature: Wheely Willy] article about Willy and his television appearances
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3859967.stm US chihuahua wows Japanese crowds] BBC News article about Willy's visit to Japan


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
⚫
[[Category:Famous dogs]]
⚫
*Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Rhonda McHugh, illustrator (1998). ''How Willy got his Wheels''. {{ISBN|0-944875-54-8}}
⚫
*Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Sue Ehrends, illustrator (2003). ''How Willy Got His Wings: The Further Adventures of Wheely Willy''. {{ISBN|0-944875-88-2}}
⚫
*Colleen Needles, Kit Carlson, Kim Levin (2000). ''Working Dogs: Tales from Animal Planet's K-9 to 5 World''. {{ISBN|1-56331-843-1}}

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[http://www.wheelywilly.com/ Wheely Willy and Friends] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216192655/http://www.wheelywilly.com/ |date=2009-02-16 }} official web site
⚫
*[http://www.barkandsmile.com/feature2.html Creature Feature: Wheely Willy] article about Willy and his television appearances

{{DEFAULTSORT:Willy, Wheely}}
[[Category:1991 animal births]]
[[Category:1991 animal births]]
[[Category:2009 animal deaths]]
[[Category:2009 animal deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:Animal amputees]]

[[Category:Individual dogs in the United States]]
[[id:Wheely Willy]]
[[ms:Wheely Willy]]

Latest revision as of 13:14, 14 November 2024

Willy
SpeciesDog
BreedChihuahua
Sexmale
Bornc. 1991
DiedDecember 22, 2009 (aged 17–18)
Known forraising awareness for disabilities
OwnerDeborah Turner
Weight4 lb (1.8 kg)

Willy (c. 1991–2009) was a paraplegic chihuahua from Long Beach, California who became a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling children's books. He made frequent public appearances promoting mutual understanding among those with and without physical disabilities. Following appearances on the television network Animal Planet, he was popularly dubbed Wheely Willy.

Background

Willy was found abandoned in a cardboard box with spinal injuries and his vocal cords sliced.[1] Taken in by a veterinary hospital and treated, Willy remained there for a year unadopted. Learning that the dog would be euthanised if not adopted, pet groomer Deborah Turner decided to bring him home.

Initially, the two pound (one kilogram) Willy needed to be carried everywhere, but Turner made several attempts to allow the dog to move autonomously. She tried attaching large helium-filled balloons to the dog's hindquarters and then placing him on a skateboard, with little success. Ultimately, an advertisement for K9 Carts, a type of wheelchair designed for canine applications, came to her attention. Willy adapted to this mode of transportation in short order; curiosity from Turner's customers and acquaintances led to local news coverage and steadily increased to international notability.

Willy made visits internationally, most often to hospitals, but he also participated in such events as the Cystic Fibrosis Fun Walk and the Los Angeles Marathon. He made several appearances on television talk shows and news programs. In 2004, following the Japanese translation of How Willy Got His Wheels, Willy flew to Japan and was given a pilot's cap by All Nippon Airways senior vice president Junko Yamauchi.[2] He stayed for two weeks and met the royal prince and princess.[3]

The dog's tenacity and good nature were frequently cited as an inspiration by people who encountered him.

Willy died on December 22, 2009. He and his owner both sustained injuries when the owner slipped on a porch made wet and slick from a rainstorm. Willy was unable to recover from his injuries.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Karp, Kate (September 28, 2015). "Broken cookies are still sweet: A shout-out to special-needs pets and their rescuers and adopters". Long Beach Post.
  2. ^ "US chihuahua wows Japanese crowds". BBC News. July 2, 2004. Archived from the original on July 4, 2004. 'I feel so sorry for him because he has broken legs,' said eight-year-old Yoshishiro Aoki.
  3. ^ Parkinson, Hannah Jane (October 23, 2017). "From Félicette the space cat to Dolly the sheep – which animals should be given a statue?". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Basheda, Lori (January 7, 2010). "Wheely Willy, superstar Chihuahua, dies". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  5. ^ Diamantides, Nick (December 31, 2009). "Wheely Willy goes to dog heaven after touching thousands of lives". Signal Tribune.

Further reading

  • Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Rhonda McHugh, illustrator (1998). How Willy got his Wheels. ISBN 0-944875-54-8
  • Deborah Turner, Diana Mohler, authors; Sue Ehrends, illustrator (2003). How Willy Got His Wings: The Further Adventures of Wheely Willy. ISBN 0-944875-88-2
  • Colleen Needles, Kit Carlson, Kim Levin (2000). Working Dogs: Tales from Animal Planet's K-9 to 5 World. ISBN 1-56331-843-1
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