This is the remarkable story of Mazar, my 2 legged dog, a true testament to resilience. Discovered in Mazar-e-sharif by a visiting vet Dr Chadima, Dr Susan was amazed to see this dog with severely damaged legs acting as her host during her visit.
Dr Susan called my friend Louise who was running a shelter in Afghanistan if she could help and Louise said yes and sent a car to pick him up. A 7 hour journey began Mazar’s new life on 15 October 2014.
Maz with his legs - they were fixed and stuck out in front of him
Little is known of Maz’s origins except he had been on the streets for 2 years like that.
Maz with Louise for their final cuddle in Afghanistan before his flight home.
Known as the Mazar dog - he proved popular at the shelter.
My video shows footage from Afghanistan as well as our first meeting and snippets from the past 10 years
Dr Mo from Mayhew International visited the shelter to amputate his damaged back legs but the operation was so difficult to get 1 leg off such was the damage only one leg was removed in the 4 hour operation.
Our first meeting and our first pic
Maz needed a further op to remove the other. X-rays years later showed that he had also suffered a broken neck and back, and Maz faced a daunting future homeless on the street. But within him burned an unyielding spirit to survive.
Maz meeting Paddington my blind cat for the first time! Any concerns I had of prey drive... soon vanished.
I first became aware of him on 14th February 2014 when I saw a video of him, I was reeling from the death of my dog Treacle from Alabama Rot and this 2 legged dog gave me such comfort I asked if I could adopt him if no one else wanted him.
A trip to a North Wales beach with Toffee & Rowan
As is the case with disabled dog enquiries were absent and so the journey to get him over began. Maz’s story filled people’s hearts, before I knew it his fundraising for the journey from Afghanistan was in place thanks to the love of so many people.
With Toffee's ailing health Maz became her protector out on walks and at home choosing the bed next to her.
On the 29th April 2015 Maz left Afghanistan. A stopover in Dubai before and onward flight to London. On 3 May 2015 I met him for the first time. I was amazed by him from our first interaction, I harness him into my passenger seat and off we headed for home
Maz and me in Pembrey South Wales - Maz was always my canicross mascot
I was amazed by him from our first interaction. Arriving in his forever home, Maz embraced life with a determined spirit, settling in with all the dogs, cat and a bunny who liked to share his bed. He carried the silent stories of his past, embracing life in a new country.
Maz's favourite bed until he swapped it to be closer to Toffee
Maz on the dock at the Chorlton Water Park - I would always sing Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding
Maz never enjoyed his wheels in the shelter, so I didn’t bother to use them, Maz always preferred his 2 legs, and he could rack up some speed.
A photoshoot with a little bit of canicross with Toffee who was now on wheels and MazCampervan adventures - the first trip - the beds were swapped for memory foam
Always enjoying giving me a run for my money, he loved our walks and campervan trips, having a stroller for when he got tired.
Cornwall adventures
Formby - we would visit often until Maz became unable to walk as the dunes are so high and I am on my own but we discovered Ainsdale instead.
We went all over up mountains, the beach, parks, castles he visited all over the country. He loved to run down sand dunes and one memorable trip after I had pulled the stroller up Glastonbury Tor he ran the full way back down.
The Bee In The City Trail - Maz and Bambi loved it
Outside Selfridges Manchester
Maz loved the sounds of the city and city strolls in the campervan would see him sat up in the stroller looking at everyone and soaking up the vibes. Think John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever strutting down the street.
Cannock Chase CaniX Competition
Dunwich Heath Christmas 2017 - finding the Reindeer - a yearly tradition
We went away on a lot of trips so I could enjoy my canicross competition, one time when I was receiving a medal Maz ran up after me and so he got the medal (video is in the YouTube compilation above) and so began a tradition of Maz collecting “his” bling on my behalf, much to the delight of everyone.
Bling time modelling the medals awarded to one of the springers
Durdle Door - I wanted to visit and so we did, unaware of all the steps down to it - well over 100 probably more - down was one thing we then had the up! Where there is a will there is a way!
His story delighted people in magazines and post lockdown he featured on BBC Northwest as I spoke about my work as an emergency medicine doctor during the pandemic and the comfort and resilience he inspired in me.
Pool time for Bambi & Maz - good for them although neither really enjoyed their sessions and they were probably quite relieved when we couldn't go anymore - due to their incontinent nature we had to have the last swim of the day and these were like gold dust.
Living alone my dogs were my family and how can you feel sad when a dog with only 2 legs shows such joy.
Alderley Edge - another place we enjoyed visiting
As age and arthritic changes robbed Maz of his ability to walk, those two legs were his symbol of independence were no longer able to manage and he slowly accepted wheels allowing him to continue with some mobility albeit reduced but with the same zest he always had.
One our NC500 trip - practising on his wheels at Glencoe
A determination to move and live. Changes around the house to make things easy for him and his bed next to mine was swapped to being tucked in next to me so I could be closer at hand, many a night we held paws as I listened to his gentle snores.
Maz always enjoyed looking smart
At the summit of Bealach na ba on our NC 500 trip in 2024
Recently, Maz faced his toughest battle. Now aged about 14 and having been with me almost 10 years. He was progressing well on his wheels when suddenly just before I went to work, he suffered bloat - recognising the signs early I got him to my vets within 30 mins - a tense 2 hours followed with the relief that he had made it through.
2 weeks post op enjoying the sunshine at Sizewell, Suffolk - our favourite place. Due to his op he couldn't go on his wheels yet so we were using a sling to try and maintain some muscle.
He recovered well enjoying 3 more campervan trips away 2 of those to the beach where although weak he soaked up the sun and enjoyed himself.
Maz, Bambi & Me on the beach at Sizewell
We were making good progress when just 2 months later, I was just getting into bed when he started to be distressed, recognising it as something serious. I was in the vets in 5 mins.
A trip to Dunham Massey always delighted and a chance to see the deer - this is from March 2020 the last time my mum visited Manchester just a week or so before lockdown
The team on at 4am were faced with a challenge, a dog going into shock, gastric dilation again but every challenge they reversed and Maz fought, we were winning.
I had a photoshoot with Dog Photographer Andy Biggar booked 5 days after Maz originally had bloat, I was so relieved he was still around to make it, the memories from it mean a lot, you can see his shaved tummy, Maz slept through the proceedings waking after to enjoy some treats, and a stroll.
But he then went into a terrifying cardiac arrest as we worked to save him I wondered whether to say stop but his will to live was extraordinary, baffling his incredible veterinary team who worked tirelessly, within 2 mins his heart started to beat, more work needed to be done as his blood pressure was so low but at every moment of decision for me, he showed me he was still ready to fight.
Walberswick Suffolk recreating a pic, the original was Toffee, Maz & Paddington
Just 14 hours later he came home, he kept recovering the next day and I felt we were winning his spirit strong he started to eat the syringed food, and then from the bowl. We went to bed with hope.
One of our last trips to Styal & Maz chilling on the area I always named Maz's mount as he loved to be king on it.
Just 4 hours later, hope vanished, he started to deteriorate and another emergency trip to the vet. As I drove through morning traffic with an ill dog I knew this was the last trip. Maz died peacefully in my arms at 715 on 14 May 2025. The journey home with him for the others to say goodbye was a sad moment, the other 5 dogs were so sad.
A summer's day and all the dogs and toys enjoying bones in the garden - from back to front - Evie, Maz, Bambi, Rowan, Seren & Inka
Those last days at home, though filled with worry, were a reminder of the incredible bond we shared. He fought so hard, his spirit willing, but his body, which had endured so much since his accident in Afghanistan, was finally tired. Saying goodbye has been the hardest journey of all.
Bambi's first trip away to Scotland with Paddington & Maz on a beach in Ayr
Run free, my brave Maz. From the dusty streets of Afghanistan to campervan adventures and joyful runs, his life was a testament to courage, resilience, and the power of love.
Maz always loved to chase Rowan although Rowan would inevitably win Maz did give him a run for his money.
His memory will forever inspire me and all the lives he touched to look beyond limitations and embrace every precious moment. If his story is new to you I hope that his story inspires you too.
I have always been passionate about showing that disabled and elderly dogs can lead rich and fulfilling lives, and I will continue to do so. Please help by sharing his story. Too often dogs like this are written off, or elderly dogs are perceived to have no quality of life. Whilst life changes it can still be fulfilling and I hope I show that in my posts.
For more on Maz and the other disabled dogs - Bambi the paraplegic from the streets in Romania and Inka my blind dog who was found aged 2 weeks in Romania please follow @mazardog on
Facebook or
Instagram or
YouTube or
TikTok