‘TurboRoo’ The Two-Legged Chihuahua Gets A New Custom Cart Thanks To 3D Printing
TurboRoo turned into an internet sensation when he opened his very own Instagram account. However, TurboRoo the tiny two-legged Chihuahua is making headlines again, this time for his unique new set of wheels designed with the help of a 3D printer.
The Inquisitr previously reported on the inspiring story of TurboRoo. The story of Turbo the Chihuahua started when a couple surrendered the tiny dog to the veterinarian when the puppy’s front legs never formed. The couple bringing in the baby Chihuahua said that the dog’s front legs hadn’t developed and, although his mother was feeding him those first few weeks, as soon as he was weaned, the other dogs weren’t letting him near any food. The couple said they had driven to several other veterinary offices seeking help for the 1-month-old puppy, who only weighed 10 ounces.
On the Instagram account, you can see the progress the little two-legged Chihuahua has made. The photos show a variety of carts that were designed to help tiny Turbo walk on his own. The first attempts were with a simple ferret harness. You can see some of the carts that were attempted but ended up too flimsy for the tiny pup to move. However, after a number of designs and some help from friendly Lowe’s employees, a sufficient cart was created and Turbo was standing on his own.
Many TurboRoo fans commented that the cart created with the Fisher Price toys looked uncomfortable and hoped he would get a new, substantial, cart in the near future. Luckily for TurboRoo, Mark Deadrick, the president of a 3D-printing, got involved according, to CNET.
Deadrick designed and created the little Chihuahua a cart using a Makerbot Replicator 3D printer. He then attached a pair of skateboard wheels to the front of the cart to help put the Turbo in TurboRoo. Deadrick is a mechanical engineer who’s worked creating parts for spacecraft as well as for the Dodge Viper and Jeep Wrangler, so mobility-related projects seem to come naturally to him.
“TurboRoo is still getting used to the cart, but he is having a much easier time getting around, and he seems to be quite content.”
Since TurboRoo is still so young, he has now gone through three versions of 3D-printed carts sent from Deadrick, which can come at a hefty price tag. Therefore, TurboRoo’s caretakers have launched a fundraising campaign on YouCaring.com to help pay for the puppy’s specialized gear.
What do you think of TurboRoo’s new set of wheels created by a 3D printer? One thing is for certain: This new set of wheels is quite the advancement from the previous Fisher Price toy creation.
[Image Credit: Turbo.Roo Instagram]
