Wheely Willy, 22

on December 23, 2009 7:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) |

According to his website Wheely Willy, the tiny paraplegic dog, passed away in his sleep yesterday, December 22, 2009.

"This year had been a very difficult one for Willy and his mother and best friend, Deborah Turner. In early January on a rainy day, Deborah took a fall down a flight of stairs while holding Willy, injuring both herself and her tiny friend. After multiple surgeries and ongoing veterinary care, Willy succumbed to his injuries. While the aging dog was recuperating, Deborah and the attending doctors cared most about his comfort and well being. Willy passed peacefully in his sleep, as always, next to Deborah. He was in life and death, her constant companion." - www.wheelywilly.com

4 Comments

By Herlinda on December 24, 2009 9:36 AM

I saw Willy and his mom at a couple of events and he was so sweet. What an inspiration. I feel terrible for his mom's loss.

By Debbie on December 30, 2009 11:01 AM

I am so sorry for Deborah Turner's loss. Even though I never met, Willy was a wonderful therapy dog and he will be sadly missed. RIP Willy, run happily in Rainbow Bridge's Paradise Meadow. How can we ever forget you????

By Opeyemi on January 13, 2010 3:01 AM

A touching story....dogs are God's gift to man and Willy most certainly was. RIP Willy, though I never got to know you until after you passed, you still got to strike a chord in my heart.

By Alex on January 18, 2010 1:42 PM

I saw this dog when I was going to Fremont Elementary sometime between 2002-2004

About

This blog is a journal of Southern California, through the lens of Jeff Gritchen. It's updated frequently with pictures, photo tips and musings from the various assignments he covers as a staff photographer for the Press-Telegram and Torrance Daily Breeze.

Gritchen has been documenting the diverse city of Long Beach since 1998. He covers everything from the Cambodian community to prep sports to gang ridden neighborhoods to the annual running of the Long Beach Grand Prix. He covered destruction Hurricane Katrina brought to Long Beach, Mississippi and traveled to Southeast Asia to document a rural Cambodian girl's as she traveled to the U.S. for life-altering heart surgery. He has won numerous state and national awards, including an international NPPA Best of Photojournalism award in 2003 and Best News Photo from the Los Angeles Press Club in 2010. In 2011, the photo staffs of the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Torrance Daily Breeze merged. Now he covers all of Southern Los Angeles County. He can be contacted at
jeff.gritchen@presstelegram.com