A Nine-Month-Old Pup With a Bum Leg And a Big Heart Needs a Jersey City Family

Bori doesn’t know his left leg is different. He never got the memo. The nine-month-old pup — a Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, and Chihuahua mix — just knows that walks are fun, other dogs are friends, and laps are for sleeping on. He moves a little differently than most dogs. He keeps up anyway.

Right now, Bori is living with a foster family and waiting for someone in Hudson County to take him home. He’s available through Wise Animal Rescue, a volunteer-run group that places dogs across New Jersey.

Here’s the short version: Bori is small, potty trained, good with kids, good with other dogs, and happiest when he’s near his person. He came to Wise after his previous owner’s living situation changed and they could no longer care for him. He’s been in foster care since, and by all accounts, he’s thriving.

What’s Going On

Bori was born on December 29th, 2025 — he just turned nine months old. He’s a mixed breed, the kind you find in shelters and rescues far more often than in breed-specific listings. He weighs on the small side. And yes, he has a deformed leg.

That last detail is the one people tend to pause on. It shouldn’t scare anyone off. According to Wise, the leg doesn’t slow Bori down. He walks, plays, explores, and does all the regular dog things. He doesn’t need special equipment. He doesn’t need surgery as far as we know. He just looks a little different when he runs.

Bori is fully potty trained. He prefers going outside but will use wee-wee pads if they’re around. He sleeps through the night, usually curled up next to his foster person or another dog. He’s good with kids and other dogs. He’s not good with cats — that’s the one clear no on his list.

Wise recommends a home with another friendly dog. That’s not a hard requirement, but it helps. Bori gets confidence from other dogs. He also does better in a household where someone is home more often than not. He’s the kind of dog who follows you from room to room. If you work twelve-hour days and come home to an empty apartment, he’ll be sad about it. He’ll still love you. He’ll just be sad.

The Background

Wise Animal Rescue is entirely volunteer-run. No paid staff, no big overhead. Every dollar donated goes back to the animals — standard vet care, and sometimes more extensive medical or behavioral cases. They take on the dogs that need a little extra help.

Bori came to Wise the way a lot of dogs do: not because anyone did anything wrong, but because life changed. His previous owner had a change in living situation and couldn’t keep him. That happens. Rent goes up. A landlord says no pets. A family member gets sick. People move in with relatives who are allergic. There’s no villain in Bori’s story. Just a dog who needs a new chapter.

This feature is part of a series sponsored by Bond Veterinary Group, which partners with Wise and a local publication to spotlight adoptable animals. Bond Vet provides a $150 credit toward future care for each adopted pet — a small cushion for the first vet visit in a new home. Bond has locations in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Montclair.

What It Means for Hudson County

Hudson County is dense. Apartments are small. Rents are high. A lot of people here assume they can’t have a dog — or shouldn’t. But small dogs like Bori are built for city life. Nine-month-olds sleep a lot. Shih Tzus and Yorkies were bred for laps. A ten-minute walk around the block, a sniff of the same fire hydrant every morning, and Bori is content.

If you’re thinking about it, here’s the real question: are you home enough? Bori needs company. If you’re a teacher, a remote worker, a retiree, or someone with a partner who works opposite hours, you might be exactly what he’s looking for. If you already have a friendly dog, even better.

And if you can’t adopt? Wise still needs help. Volunteers are the whole operation. Donations go directly to vet bills. Even ten dollars toward a rescue’s medical fund can make a difference for a dog like Bori.

What People Are Saying

Wise describes Bori as “smart, sweet, playful, and affectionate” — a dog with both playful energy and a soft side. His foster says he’s settled nicely into a home routine. He sleeps soundly. He’s happy.

Bond Vet, the sponsor, frames its involvement simply: pet care should be “thoughtful, transparent, and as stress-free as possible.” Their $150 credit for adopted pets is meant to take some of the financial anxiety out of the first few weeks. That matters. A lot of people want to adopt but worry about the surprise costs.

Bori can’t speak for himself. But the people who’ve watched him in foster care have made their case: this is a good dog who happens to have a crooked leg. Nothing more. Nothing less.

What Comes Next

Bori stays in foster care until someone applies. If you’re interested, you can find his profile and adoption application through Wise Animal Rescue’s website. The process usually involves an application, a conversation, and a meet-and-greet.

If adoption isn’t right for you right now, Wise accepts donations online. Their volunteers do the rest.

Either way, Bori will keep doing what he does. Walking. Cuddling. Following someone from room to room, waiting for the day it’s your room.