10-year-old who had both legs amputated meets golden retriever hero

Owen Mahan was thrilled to meet Chi Chi the rescue dog

A 10-year-old boy who recently had his legs amputated saw his dream come true when he met a fellow amputee: Chi Chi, a three-year-old golden retriever who has had all four legs removed.

Owen Mahan of Pittsboro, Indiana, watches Chi Chi’s videos on Facebook religiously. The 10-year-old had both of his legs removed this year, due to complications stemming from an accident when he was two years old. Doctors did not expect him to walk, talk, or even survive – but eight years later, he loves riding his bicycle and playing baseball.

He also loves Chi Chi. Owen knew he wanted to meet Chi Chi from the first time he saw her on Facebook, his adoptive mother told ABC.

Chi Chi is a certified therapy dog and quadruple amputee. She was found in a trash bag in South Korea in 2016, her legs rotted from mistreatment and abuse. These days, she brings joy to people at hospitals, schools and other facilities. Her owner, Elizabeth Howell, also posts videos of her online.

When Ms Howell learned that Owen was a fan of Chi Chi’s videos, she worked with friends of his family to fly him and his mother, Elizabeth Mahan, to visit Chi Chi in Arizona. NASCAR star Tony Stewart even offered his private plane for the trip, according to Ms Mahan and Ms Howell.

Ms Mahan told WCNC that the whole trip was planned as a surprise.

“[Owen] had no clue what we were doing,” she said. “He thought we were just delivering a package. He did not know Chi Chi was going to be here.”

But when the two finally met, they clicked instantly. Photos on Chi Chi’s Facebook page show the pair snuggling, playing wiffle ball, and even meeting the Wheelchair Rugby Australia team.

Asked what his favourite part of the weekend was, Owen responded: “Meeting Chi Chi.”

Owen still faces a long road in his recovery. According to Ms Mahan, he will have to undergo two surgeries a year until he stops growing. Doctors are still replacing the skin on his body that was burned off in his accident.

But Ms Mahan told WCNC that Chi Chi was a great inspiration for him.

“Every picture I see of her she looks like she’s smiling,” she said. “Owen is the same way. He comes out of surgery smiling, so they’re both smiling and they’re both like ‘So something bad happened to me, let’s just move on.’”