In the wonderful world of pet rescue, we often encounter animals with unique stories and even more unique needs.
Recently, the internet has fallen in love with Wally, a newly rescued stray who comes with a rare and endearing medical diagnosis: narcolepsy.
Wally, affectionately named after the Walmart parking lot where he was found, quickly showed his rescuers that something was a little different about him.
One moment he’d be wide awake, and the next, he’d be drifting off to sleep. After a visit to the vet and some evaluations, his diagnosis of narcolepsy was confirmed.
Just like in humans, this condition causes Wally to fall asleep unexpectedly, especially when excitement or strong emotions kick in – like, say, when presented with his favorite toys and treats!
A heartwarming video shared by the 15/10 Foundation beautifully introduces us to Wally, now a resident at the Humane Society in Austin, Texas.
In the clip, a vet tech teases Wally with a piece of chicken. You can see his tail wagging with pure excitement, but then, his body starts to waver.
“Oh, you’re already falling asleep,” the tech kindly says as Wally slowly lowers himself to the ground.
But don’t worry, even a narcoleptic pup can’t resist a delicious treat – he manages one final, successful lunge for the chicken before a sweet snooze!
The video also shows Wally receiving plenty of love, pets, and snuggles from the veterinary staff, assuring us that he’s in incredibly good hands and very well-loved.
The 15/10 Foundation does amazing work, collaborating with shelters and adopters to ensure a high quality of life for animals with special needs.
Thanks to their generous donors, Wally’s ongoing medical needs will be covered even after he transitions to his forever home.
Wally’s story resonates with many, prompting encouraging words and even some humorous, relatable comments like, “Honestly, I get it! I also get excited about chicken nuggets, LOL!”
All jokes aside, Wally is thriving at the Humane Society, and he already has a new adoptive family eagerly waiting to welcome him.
Wally is a shining example of how advances in pet medicine and the incredible compassion of rescue organizations are opening our eyes to animals with complex needs, proving that every single one of them deserves a chance at a happy, healthy life.