Faith (dog) facts for kids
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Faith, in 2008
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| Sex | Female |
|---|---|
| Born | December 22, 2002 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Died | September 22, 2014 (aged 11) Hendricks County, Indiana |
| Notable role | Family pet |
| Years active | 2002 - 2014 |
| Known for | bipedal or human dog |
Faith (born December 22, 2002 – died September 22, 2014) was a special dog known for walking on two legs, just like a human! She was born with three legs: two strong back legs and one front leg that wasn't fully formed. When she was seven months old, this front leg had to be removed.
Faith's owner, Jude Stringfellow, adopted her after the puppy's mother tried to push her away because of her condition. Many people, even vets, thought Faith should be put to sleep. But Jude didn't give up. She used a spoon with peanut butter to encourage Faith to hop and then to walk on her own. The family's other dog, a corgi, even helped by barking or nudging Faith to get her moving!
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Faith's Special Role
Faith became very famous for her unique way of walking. She even earned a special non-commission rank of E5 Sgt. at Fort Lewis, Washington, in June 2006.
Visiting Soldiers
Faith spent a lot of time visiting injured soldiers in hospitals around the world. She also met millions of active soldiers at military bases, airports, and special events. She loved wearing her army jacket and would get excited when it was time to meet more soldiers. Her visits brought comfort and hope to many.
Inspiring Others
Because of Faith's story, more people are now willing to give animals born with differences a chance at life. Faith wasn't the only two-legged dog, but she was certainly the most well-known. For example, there's a chihuahua in Texas with a similar condition who also walks upright.
Faith in the Media
Faith's amazing story was shared with many people through books and TV shows.
Books and TV Shows
A book called "Faith Walks...A Memoir of a Beautiful Life" tells Faith's full story. Faith and her owner, Jude Stringfellow, appeared on popular TV shows like Maury, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, and Animal Attractions Television. She was also featured on Ripley's Believe it or Not. Faith even had a brief mention on the PBS show NOVA in an episode about walking.
Other Mentions
Because of all the media attention, Faith had her own website and even a page on Myspace. There was even a rumor that she might appear in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!
In February 2007, MSNBC reported a mix-up when American Airlines accidentally sent Faith to a different city than her owner during a flight. Luckily, she was safely reunited with Jude.
Faith passed away on September 22, 2014, at the age of 11. Her legacy continues to inspire people to be kind and give every animal a chance.
