LAMMA ISLAND, Hong Kong – An enthusiastic newcomer has started a noble task – to set an example that shows Hong Kong residents, both two-legged and four-legged ones, that a physical handicap need not diminish joie de vivre. Meet Terry, a mongrel dog with four legs, only three paws and an irrepressible can-do-anything attitude.

Five-month-old Terry's paw-less right-rear leg ends abruptly several inches above the ground. Even so, he uses his three normal limbs to walk and run across much of northern Lamma, often keeping pace with older, bigger and able-bodied canines.

Impressively nimble, Terry oozes youthful exuberance and appears reluctant even to acknowledge a physical impediment. Like other dogs, he's always eager to go for walks.

“He's a happy, little dog with a really strong will,” said Fiona Sham, a 32-year-old journalist and Terry's human guardian. Recently, Fiona, Terry and another dog, three-year-old Buddy, moved to Lamma to live in the home of Fiona's late grandparents, who were long-time residents of Yung Shue Wan, the island's biggest village.

“Terry is missing a paw, but it doesn't bother him that much,” said Fiona, who previously lived in Discovery Bay. “He runs really fast, and he's very energetic and playful. Bigger dogs don't frighten him at all. I don't believe he considers himself different from other dogs.”

Judging by appearances, Terry probably has some Doberman in his blood. He and the Labrador-like Buddy have become popular regulars among the local dogs who gather to frolic and play at Power Station Beach.

Although fast on his three feet, Terry has a slight problem with balance. When grappling with Buddy or other pals, he often tips and tumbles, but invariably rises, unhurt, ready for more. “Terry has a small body, but he still considers himself a big dog,” Fiona said. “Actually, he's better at running than walking.”

Terry maneuvers easily enough that most people fail to immediately notice his “problem". When they do notice, Fiona usually hears one question: “What happened to your dog's leg?” Actually, she doesn't know the answer.

Fiona's sister, Popsy, who often feeds stray dogs near her home in Yuen Long, first noticed Terry. Then he was a tiny guy, already short a paw, living with his mom and four siblings in a New Territories parking lot. Theories about the cause of his deformity vary from attack by another four-legged creature to human cruelty.

“Terry's mom is a stray dog who hangs around in that parking lot,” Fiona said. “The people working there fed her, but not the puppies. Security guards at a lot of Hong Kong car-parks like to keep big dogs, but they don't care about puppies.”

When Terry's siblings all died, allegedly run over by a big truck, Popsy knew the lone survivor desperately needed a proper home. Taking the “adorable” tiny dog, she delivered him to Fiona, who initially planned to act only as a “foster parent” until someone else adopted him. Now she concedes that he's part of “her family", a lovable guy whose company she'll never surrender.

The young dog is named after Terry Fox (1958-1981), a big-hearted human who lost a leg to cancer, but then launched a 1980 Marathon of Hope, trying to run across his native Canada while raising money and awareness against the disease. Tragically, Fox's cancer returned, cutting short the marathon, and he soon died. Canadians and others still organize annual Terry Fox Runs to fund anti-cancer work.

“Like Terry Fox, my dog is missing part of his leg, but has really strong willpower,” Fiona said. “He's smart too. Even at two months old, he could understand my moods and know if I was happy or sad. He always learns things really fast.”

Fiona has done research about artificial legs for dogs. Although her Terry moves well now, he may lose some mobility later. “I talked to the veterinarian who told me to wait and see,” Fiona said. “He said the most important thing is to keep Terry lean and fit, never overweight.”

Sometimes Fiona places “a little sock” on Terry’s deficient leg to help him avoid scratches or scrapes when leaning on it for balance. “But the sock is pink,” she said. “I'd like to find a different color for him.”

Do dogs really care about clothing colors? “No,” Fiona said. “But I do. He's a boy and he's black so wearing a pink sock is much too obvious.”

This small dog looks ready to instruct nearly everyone he meets. “Terry reminds me that no one should look down on people or animals with disabilities,” Fiona said. “You can't imagine how powerful they are until you live with them or know them well.”


Four feet, three feet, two feet....


Thoughtful Terry considers where to run next.


Seeing leashes in Fiona's hands,
Terry prepares to go home.


The original Terry: a Canadian
hero who loved running too.

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