Rusty - Adopted

Name: Rusty
Age: 12 years
Sex: Female (altered)
Breed: Mixed Breed
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Vet Info: Rusty has just been to the vet and is now up to date with vaccinations. She is confirmed spayed. Rusty weighs approximately 25 lbs.

Owner Info: Rusty’s owner passed away recently and is currently living in a very temporary foster home with her blind companion, Holly.  The late owner’s niece is trying to find a permanent home for both dogs but feels they can be separated if necessary. She told us Rusty was rescued from the PA SPCA and is a sweet senior dog with hip dysplasia. She has a tough time with any more than a few steps. She would be best suited with someone who has a home where she does not have a whole flight of stairs to go out. Rusty is an indoor dog with the run of the house.  She is housebroken and leash trained.  Rusty is listed as being good with all people, children and female dogs.  Rusty is currently in a very temporary foster home.  She needs to find a more permanent situation soon.

Update 2/9/14: We have an urgent update on this sweet pair, please continue to share them with your contacts! Their caregivers also say that if there is interest in them but they need to be held longer, they will of course do so. They want this special pair to have a loving home just as we do.

Here’s some more info on Holly and Rusty from their caregiver:

“Holly is a 10yr old Jack Russell who is recently blind but adjusting well. She is trained, can walk on a leash, is spayed and up to date on shots. She is good with other dogs and people, but she has never had the opportunity to mix with cats or kids. Her sister Rusty is a 13yr small mix breed, who has cataracts but sees well enough. Like Holly she is trained, loves to walk on leash,is also spayed and has a pleasant sweet disposition. She also is good with other dogs and people, but never had opportunity to be with cats or kids. I came by these 2 when my aunt passed away, and currently have a neighbor coming in 3 times a day to feed & let them out, but this is no life for them after having been with my aunt all day all their lives.”

“I am afraid that a shelter would be traumatic for them, and my feeling is shared by several organizations we've contacted who could not foster them. They have never been out of their home or yard, nor put into a situation where they had to fend for themselves , and now that they both have vision problems it would be cruel to subject them to a shelter. They are older and need tender loving homes. Even though it will break our hearts, living with only a neighbor coming 3 times a day and us being with them 2 times a week is not the good life they and certainly not the one they deserve. Therefore If we cannot find a foster or adoption for them by the 1st week of March I will have to have them put to sleep.”

Update 2/18/14: We've received an update from Rusty's and Holly's caregiver that Holly may have found her new home!  She's there for a trial period and we're hoping that everything works out for her!  We will update when we have more information. Rusty is still in need of a new home, and her caregiver notes that she is not used to car travel and would not be able to handle a long journey, so it would be best, if possible, for her to stay somewhat local.

Update 2/27/14: Unfortunately, Holly's adoption didn't work out through no fault of her own, and so she is now back with Rusty.  The local media will be doing a story about them very soon, and we're hopeful that something will work out for this very special pair! Nothing is finalized, and so while there is interest, as of now, they are still in need.