His name is Duke. But life for this Mastiff mix from Iowa has been anything but royal.

This past January, an unknown person shot Duke in the back with a .22-caliber bullet and left him to drown in the Des Moines, Iowa River.

As a result of this inhumane act, Duke, who was cared for at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, has a long surgical scar on his back from removal of the bullet and can walk only while harnessed into a two-wheeled cart.

But Saturday was Duke’s day for celebration as he has found his new forever owner.

Her name is Susan Hollar.

“I’m excited,” Hollar said. “I have a lot of time for him and I will devote everything I can to him.”

Hollar, 34, says she knows exactly how much of a commitment she’s making for the dog, who has no sensation in his rear half as a result of the bullet wound. She has rearranged the furniture in the uncarpeted first floor of her townhouse to allow space for Duke to scootch himself around and to plop down when he’s tired.

When he needs to go outside, Hollar will harness and lift the 65-pound dog into the cart that allows him to walk with his front legs while holding his rear legs off the ground.

At least four times a day, Hollar will also have to help Duke urinate by applying pressure with both of her hands to either side of his bladder, just behind his rib cage.

Hollar, who says she’s works close enough to visit home at lunchtime to check on Duke, is also the proud owner of Lhasa Apsos Molly and Theo.

She says the three dogs have met and they get along fine.

By Elaine Furst For Dog Files