A special dog who rose to fame online celebrated his first birthday on Saturday with a party fit for a hero at Charlotte’s Freedom Farm.

“Winnie le Roo” was born with deformities from body parts that didn’t develop properly while in the womb, but that didn’t slow him down.

“Winnie is truly here to show people that dogs with special needs and disabilities deserve a good life and to be adopted,” said Charlotte’s Freedom Farm founder Lauren Edwards.

“A lot of people’s first impression when they see him is to say ‘oh, poor dog’ or feel sorry for him and that’s the last thing you think about when he’s living, loving life and having fun. .”

Edwards said Winnie had a custom wheelchair and a knot blanket for one of his front arms so he could run around and play with all his friends on the farm.

“He hangs out with all the orphaned animals from baby goats, sheep and ducklings,” she said. “He makes it easy, that’s for sure.”

Winnie caught the world’s attention online. Since his first birthday, the young dog has more than 30,000 followers on Instagram (@winnie_the_roo_) and more than a million views on a video in which he was featured on The Dodo’s YouTube channel.

Winnie received a superhero-themed party with a bouncy castle, superhero sumo costume wrestling, inflatable soccer game, snacks, and dozens of gifts from around the world.

Edwards said Winnie’s Day gives families a chance to get out and tour the farm and see all the animals while supporting the sanctuary.

“We’re just trying to show people that they can live a good life,” she said. “There are a ton of animals like Winnie that need a home and a dog in a wheelchair isn’t much of a difference to a dog with four working limbs, it really isn’t.”