I adopted Ray Charles when he was 2 years old, in
October 99. I found him on the internet, on
PetFinder.org. He had
been blind since birth. I was looking for a Husky as a playmate for
my current husky. Then I saw Ray, and knew he was the dog we were
looking for. He and Sasha get along wonderfully! Ray learned to
navigate our house in about 3 days! Sasha has lots of noisy tags, so
she can't sneak up on him. They love to play all day long. It used to
upset me that Ray's blind, but it sure doesn't slow him
down.
Karen, owned by
Ray
Charles, 2 year old husky mix, blind from
birth
Sasha, sighted 1 year old Siberian Husky
I just wanted to let you know that, thanks to your web site, I have a wonderful new dog.
After meeting and researching lots of dogs in
shelters and online, I read Dylan's story on your adoption page and
it really struck a
chord. I adopted Dylan from GSD Rescue and
Referral, Houston, last weekend.
Their post on your site was so adamant, they described Dylan as an unusually wonderful pet who just needed extra consideration. (Well, a lot of extra consideration.) It was their words and the encouraging stories on your site that made me think this could work.
I didn't start out thinking about a blind dog (and my friends love the German Shepherd irony: they want me to wear the harness and him to have the cane), but the more I thought about it, it seemed like I could pull it off. I love working with animals, and my life and household is quiet enough (for now) that I can help Dylan adjust.
After lots of anticipation, he was flown up to me in Michigan by one of their very kind volunteers, former k-9 officer Gwendolyn Condoleo. He hit the ground running. (Shortly after the hand-off, he hit a lot of other things, I'm afraid. You know what I mean.)
The first 24 hours were so overwhelming. I loved him at first sight, but I felt so responsible for every bonk on the head he took!
Of course, he ran into things, got confused, fell up and down stairs (which took 10 years off my life), but he took everything with a pretty amazing spirit. I was exhausted and made up his bed in the kitchen. Sometime that night, he made himself climb those stairs and stood outside the bedroom door, very pleased with himself! Could I refuse? I snuggled him in with me.
Dylan has PRA, and his day vision is still there to some extent, more than I thought. I think that, seeing him with some vision now, it will be even harder to watch him lose it. But I'm optimistic: he has a remarkable, gentle, spirit and is very much a trooper. It's like living with a toddler. You have to watch them so carefully. But as we both adjust, he¹s done much better and there are things that he will offer as a companion animal that blindness won't affect, he is a funny, gentle, attentive, "watchful" energetic buddy. He's beautiful and sweet and I'm proud to own him.
We have a long row to hoe, and there will be some scary stuff in store no doubt. But I think we're working toward a pretty happy ending. Thanks so much for providing a forum for these deserving animals.
Warm regards,
Cara McDonald
Sally on Santa's lap with Buffy waiting her turn
I just want to write a few lines about SALLY. I adopted her from a Animal Shelter. She was found abandon tied to a tree. Her body is full of pellets and she had Heartworms. She is completely blind. I saw her in the Shelter and fell in love with her. I had to pick her,there must been a reason for her to survive all this. Sally is about 5 years old and she been with me, her "Sister" Buffy a 9 year old Retriever mix and a Cockatiel name Jordie.
Sally is a BEAGLE and I just love her so much. She learned quick how to use the Pet-Door. It took about 3 days to find her way. she acts like she been here all of her life. She came to me in May 99.
In Feb. 99 I lost my beloved Jessica, she was with us 13 years. She had cancer and I had to let her go,but only after all I could do. I still miss her so. Sally is not a replacement for her, just to help another pet to have a good home and alot of LOVE and thanking someone above to give me all the pleasure I have with my babies for so long.
I would like to thank Jenene from SOAR Rescue in Southport, NC for saving Sally's life (and so many more). When someone found Sally, she was taken to a shelter where Jenene picked her up and from there took here to her place. Also, thank you to Nancy who took very good care of here at the rescue, and who now opend her own rescue named PAWS. Without these good people, and so many more, alot of pets would have a not so good future.
Thank you for letting me tell my Story
Gisela
I was a shelter manager for a pound in Las Vegas.
A Spanish women brought this little furball into the
shelter. It was
no bigger than the palm of my hand. The dogs eyes were dried opened!
It looked like an alien. The spanish women did not speak english and
no one there really spoke much spanish, so the only things conveyed
to her was she would have to sign paperwork to have the puppy put to
sleep!
To make a long story short, I sorta picked up the puppy and carried her around for the rest of the day ~~ lost my job when they told me to bring her back so they could kill her. Spent $1,000.00 the first 6 months having both her eyes removed - the first emergency surgery at 5 weeks of age, against my vets recommendation (he thought she would never survive surgery, she was way too young, and it was a long, hard surgery...) She came through it with flying colors! At 5.5 months old, her second eye was removed!
Asasha - now almost 3 years olds lives with (and rules, I might add) 3 full size Dobermans - and 7 cats! She has no clue she is blind - she can and does chase anyone away from her food (or even their food)... She is only 7 lbs full grown, but let me tell you, this little baby has a huge attitude!
She is the pride and joy of my life. I would HIGHLY recommend someone getting a handicap pet. Asasha is only one of my 20 plus pets... Others in my household are handicap, but not to the extent that Asasha is. (Well, she doesn't know it.....)
Oh, by the way - her name Asasha, means "Beyond the odds" very fitting I believe!
The Handsome Man
I had been planning on getting another doggie, even though I had 3 already! After doing much research I had decided that I wanted to adopt a ‘special needs’ baby. I could see this little girl in my mind, small, Chihuahua type mix, short haired and soooo sweet!
I began to look into rescues, and sent out the message of what my heart desired! I was contacted immediately by Dachshund rescue about a little 3-year-old boy that was flying into the area the next day. He had been in rescue for about 2 months, and needed a home, as the rescue household here already had many ‘guests’ some special needs themselves. I said “yes”
Into my life came this little guy. His name was Handsome. He is about 10 pounds and a wirehaired dachshund, black and tan. Little pointy nose, with vacant glassy eyes. He did not want to be touched. He was so afraid he was spinning in circles. I found out from the rescue person that she spent 3 weeks before he would let her pick him up! I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could handle.
In the days since he has been here, he has made remarkable strides. He lets me hold him, and gives so many kisses! He knows to go in and out the back door (the doggie door will be the next challenge!) He plays with is toy, and even barks at noises. He is exactly what I had been dreaming of. He is the baby I had my heart on, even if I did not know it! When he wags his little tail at me and follows me into another room I wonder how on Earth I managed with out him for so long. I would say that anyone who takes in a little doggie that needs a bit of extra attention is truly blessed. I know I am.
Janet Curry.
If you have adopted a blind /visually impaired dog and would like your Adoption Story added to these pages email blinddogs_admin@yahoogroups.com You don't have to be a member of the blind dog list to do so
Linda
Glass
Blind Dog List Owner
Last Date Updated 8/28/2000