<p class="title">Just over a year after he was maimed for gnawing on someone's shoes, Cola is romping across a beach on new sleek paws: curved "blade runner" prosthetics modelled on those used by Paralympian sprinters.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The former street pup nearly lost his life last year after a Bangkok man hacked off his front legs with a sword in revenge for chewing up his boots.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A quick trip to the vet saved Cola but left him with two amputated, kangaroo-like stumps for front paws.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Today, his tongue is lolling about and his tail is wagging wildly as he bounds across the sand on carbon-fibre blades, similar to those made famous by Paralympian runner Oscar Pistorius.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The lightweight legs were tailor made for the high-energy hound, who loves to run and was encumbered by previous, heavier prosthetics.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(These legs) give him a lot more balance, a lot more spread," said Cola's owner John Dalley, who founded the Thailand-based 'Soi Dog' foundation that helps strays.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He and his late wife rescued Cola after the attack and brought the dog down to the beaches of Phuket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's actually quite amazing how adaptable dogs are and how forgiving they are," he added as Cola -- who shows no fear of humans despite his trauma -- curled up around his feet.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While other dogs have been fitted with a variety of prosthetics, Cola is believed to be the first to receive the pricey 'suspended' blades.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The blades curl up in an 'C' shape, while the amputated limbs rest in a silicon socket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cola's prosthetics were developed by orthopaedist Bendt Soderberg, who works at a hospital in Phuket, and are still being fine-tuned to fit the mutt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What we wanted to achieve was...something that was not so heavy, that could be a bit flexible in the feet so that when he jumps and bounces they would not be completely stiff," said Teddy Fagerstrom, director of the orthopaedic lab.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His team, who until now has only worked with humans, is also hoping Cola will raise awareness among Thais about the benefits of higher-tech prosthetics.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The winsome dog, grinning and panting as he laps up attention, is a fitting poster-child for taking the use of artificial limbs in stride.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(Cola) is not embarrassed being an amputee. He just acts as he always does," said Fagerstrom.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think he will show that having a good pair of legs will make it possible for you to continue to run and have fun."</p>
<p class="title">Just over a year after he was maimed for gnawing on someone's shoes, Cola is romping across a beach on new sleek paws: curved "blade runner" prosthetics modelled on those used by Paralympian sprinters.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The former street pup nearly lost his life last year after a Bangkok man hacked off his front legs with a sword in revenge for chewing up his boots.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A quick trip to the vet saved Cola but left him with two amputated, kangaroo-like stumps for front paws.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Today, his tongue is lolling about and his tail is wagging wildly as he bounds across the sand on carbon-fibre blades, similar to those made famous by Paralympian runner Oscar Pistorius.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The lightweight legs were tailor made for the high-energy hound, who loves to run and was encumbered by previous, heavier prosthetics.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(These legs) give him a lot more balance, a lot more spread," said Cola's owner John Dalley, who founded the Thailand-based 'Soi Dog' foundation that helps strays.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He and his late wife rescued Cola after the attack and brought the dog down to the beaches of Phuket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's actually quite amazing how adaptable dogs are and how forgiving they are," he added as Cola -- who shows no fear of humans despite his trauma -- curled up around his feet.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While other dogs have been fitted with a variety of prosthetics, Cola is believed to be the first to receive the pricey 'suspended' blades.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The blades curl up in an 'C' shape, while the amputated limbs rest in a silicon socket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cola's prosthetics were developed by orthopaedist Bendt Soderberg, who works at a hospital in Phuket, and are still being fine-tuned to fit the mutt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What we wanted to achieve was...something that was not so heavy, that could be a bit flexible in the feet so that when he jumps and bounces they would not be completely stiff," said Teddy Fagerstrom, director of the orthopaedic lab.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His team, who until now has only worked with humans, is also hoping Cola will raise awareness among Thais about the benefits of higher-tech prosthetics.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The winsome dog, grinning and panting as he laps up attention, is a fitting poster-child for taking the use of artificial limbs in stride.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(Cola) is not embarrassed being an amputee. He just acts as he always does," said Fagerstrom.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think he will show that having a good pair of legs will make it possible for you to continue to run and have fun."</p>