In character and capability this canine ‘mountain of strength’ stands tall – ON TWO LEGS

The name Aaron is a English masculine given name.

Aaron, the brother of Moses, is described throughout Biblical scripture. Some sources believe it is of Egyptian origin, but the name is probably derived from various Hebrew roots, meaning “mountain of strength.”

This “mountain” stands about 9 inches at the shoulder and weighs seven and a half pounds.
Meet Aaron…the amazing two-legged dog. This compact little canine has endured incredible hardship in his short five and a half years, but he’s now safely nestled into his new comfortable life with his devoted owner and admitted animal lover Tess Vick.

Aaron was just another mutt struggling to survive on the streets, or so people thought.
The little dog struggled on the streets for months until he was scooped up by a rescue organization in Merced. After being hit by a vehicle, he sustained serious and debilitating. Aaron’s injuries included his right rear leg being completely turned around backward, and his left front leg being crushed and contorted entirely out of shape.

“The vet thought he was probably in that condition on the streets for a year. He was walking on his elbow, and it had worn all the way down to the bone,” Tess explained with emotion in her voice.
The rescue group gained the attention of ABC 30 TV in Fresno, which helped raise $10,000 to pay for Aaron’s necessary surgeries.

“When they put him back on the news after his surgeries, nobody wanted him. He had been staying at a medical foster home in Merced for nine months when someone tagged me in a Facebook post about a two-legged dog in Merced. That’s where he acquired the name Aaron. His foster mom drove him all the way up here and left him two and a half years ago. He’s been with me since then. He’s truly amazing and not lacking in any capabilities,” Tess explained.

Vick is well-known in the Mariposa community not only as a skilled groomer, but for her kind care of cast-off creatures.

She has a blind pot-bellied pig that she describes as “‘incredibly gentle and good natured,’” another dog with a severe underbite, and a petite three-legged canine. She had been caring for two three-legged dogs with plenty of personality for quite a while, but one unfortunately passed last January.

“Aaron is really sweet. I think he would rather play than eat. My house has been littered with squeaky toys ever since he arrived,” Tess explained while slowly stroking Aaron’s cheek.

“He bolted out of the dog door the first day I had him. He has no limitations at all. He plays with everybody; he’s really active. He just doesn’t stop,” she added.

Aaron is social with other dogs but prefers playing fetch and being the center of attention. Tess has a small ball that she fills with treats and when it rolls around on the deck behind her home, the treats fall out of small holes. “Aaron’s the only one that has it figured out; he’ll roll it and roll it until he gets all the treats. He’s really bright,” Vick said.

This diminutive canine is a Chihuahua mix. “He’s the fastest dog I’ve ever had. I’ll race him across the yard, and I never win,” Tess shared.

Recently Tess took him to the Blessing of the Animals in Oakhurst. “He was the tiniest of all the dogs there and he stole the show. He had the most fun; he was involved in everything, and they did a whole article on him,” she explained.

According to Vick, “Most ‘“disabled”‘ dog aren’t really disabled. They really aren’t. They can do everything other dogs can do and they are overlooked a lot (for adoption). I think people overlook them because of how they appear or what they are missing, but they are very capable, and very affectionate.” Aaron is living proof.

Tess came to Mariposa in 1988 and began grooming 28 years ago. She groomed under a veterinarian and at different grooming shops in Mariposa and Oakhurst. “I learned a lot of skills from working with different groomers,” she said. Vick opened her own popular grooming shop in 2002 called Dog Grooming by Tess.

But what if she finds out about another three-legged or even two-legged dog in need of a home? “I’ll always make room. That’s why we’re here,” Tess exclaimed.