Paralyzed Fairfield Dog Nominated For Prestigious Award

FAIRFIELD, CT — A paralyzed Fairfield dog who uses a special wheelchair to run around town is capturing hearts across the country and is in the running for a prestigious social media award. Albert is an 8-year-old Shih Tzu-Poodle mix who has amassed nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram where he is known as @AlbertOnWheels. Albert has been nominated for a Shorty Award, which honors “the best of social media by recognizing the influencers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Musically, Instagram, Snapchat and more.” Past winners include Taylor Swift, Adele, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, J.K. Rowling and other celebrities and news makers.

According to his Shorty Award nomination, Albert “not only brings the cuteness, but shows that special needs dogs can live life to the fullest. Paralyzed from the hips down (likely in a car accident), Albert was rescued from a shelter by Jill Lawson, who started taking him on adventures around her native New England and beyond. His Instagram fans watch as he enjoys life and the great outdoors—often leading his rescued doggie brothers Pancake and Norman around Lake Mohegan. His newfound fame helps Albert spread the word that rescue animals make amazing (and adorable) partners, no matter their disabilities.”

Lawson told News12 Connecticut that she doesn’t know who nominated them for the Shorty Award. She also said that Albert, who is paralyzed from the hips down and uses his wheelchair along with a belly band, needs special care at night and in the morning.

You can follow Albert’s adventures on Instagram here and on Facebook here.

To vote for Albert at the Shorty Awards click here. You can vote once per day per influencer and can also share your vote on Twitter and Facebook for an additional one vote per social network, per day, per influencer, according to the site. The 10th annual Shorty Awards will be held April 15 in New York City.

“Albert would be very proud to win and promises to continue to spread rescue and special needs awareness!” reads a post on the Albert On Wheels Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of @albertonwheels on Instagram