07/25/2026
Thanks to our newly discovered friend, Jimothy weâve gained some new friends. Let me re-introduce myself.
My name is Cooper, I have short spine syndrome, just like Jimothy. I am a 9.5 year old American Foxhound and was rescued in Virginia as a baby. They sent me to Minnesota where my friend Quasi The Great was already living, we know each other and have had sleepovers!
I am healthy and happy and other than some limited mobility and odd anatomy, I live a normal dog life. Short Spine syndrome exists in all different kinds of animals and has been documented for hundreds of years, but we are very rare.
My condition is genetic, and further research is being done to understand the genome. I am part of a study at Purdue University. That peer reviewed study should be published very soon, I will share it once itâs available.
Short Spine syndrome is adorable and I am adorable, but my goal isnât more short spine animals. My goal is awareness, to know that we live normal lives - if we are born we donât need to be euthanized. I am a normal family pup. Just like Jimothy is living a good raccoon life, he doesnât need rescuing - we can admire, but heâs happy in his natural environment. We short spiners are very entertaining, so stick around to see all of my antics!
Credit: Cooper - Short On Spine, Big On Love