Oscar - In BDRA Foster Care

Name: Oscar

Sex: Male (altered)

Age: 7 years

Breed: Toy Poodle

Location: Western Mass.

Vet Info: Oscar is confirmed neutered.  He is up to date on his rabies and distemper vaccines, and is next due for a rabies vaccine on 4/16/14.  He is also next due for the distemper vaccine in 2014.  Oscar is heartworm negative and weighs 8 pounds.  He does have some allergies and requires a quality diet.  Per his owner, his kneecap apparently has "floated" and he is currently on supplements.

Owner Info: Oscar is a completely blind toy poodle who was adopted two years ago his owner.  At that time she was well prepared to take on a special needs dog. Unfortunately, since that time she has become unable to work.  Now, over a year has gone by, she feels that this is an unfair situation for Oscar, no matter how much she loves him. She'd love it if he could find someone that has more resources to make sure that he gets everything in life that he needs and very much deserves!  Oscar is an indoor dog with run of the house, he is housebroken and leash trained, however in a new place where he doesn't know his way around, he may have an accident.  Oscar is good with people of all ages, both male and female dogs, and cats.  He is not possessive of toys, treats, or food, and has never shown any aggression. Oscar is very attached to his owner and will get uncomfortable in new places/situations where she is not present. He bonded with her very quickly, and she believes that he will do the same if able to find the right person who is able to give him the time and devotion necessary. His owner adds, "Though it kills me to do have to do this, with my health preventing me to return to work anytime within the near future I must consider my ability to provide Oscar with all that he needs and leaving him shorthanded just is not option. He amazes me with his spirit and zest for life despite his "shortcomings" and has been an inspiration for me to keep moving forward everyday despite my own troubles."

Ray Ray - Staying With Owner

Name: Ray Ray

Sex: Male (altered)

Breed: Golden Retriever Mix

Age: 7 years

Location: About an hour NE of Atlanta, GA

Vet Info: Ray Ray is confirmed neutered and is hw negative.  His next rabies vaccine is due 2/27/15, and bordetella, distemper/parvo is due 2/27/13.  Ray Ray does have some separation anxiety and has been on medication in the past.  Ray Ray weighs 90 pounds.  The receptionist commented on what a sweet boy he is!

Owner Info: Ray Ray is a very sweet boy who was born blind, and has since had both eyes removed (at different times).  His owner is being forced to move out of her house.  She is having trouble finding a place to live that will allow him, and while she is trying hard to keep him, she believes she will be unable to.  Ray Ray is an indoor dog with run of the house, he is housebroken and leash trained.  Ray is a very smart boy!  He knows to come when she calls his name or whistles for him, and he knows "sit" and "stay".  He can also catch treats off the end of his nose!  Ray Ray is good with people of all ages, both male and female dogs, and cats.  Ray Ray is not possessive of toys, treats, or food, however he did show aggression one time (but not towards a person).  A few weeks ago his owner heard him growling at his kitty brother when he came near his food bowl. She got on to him and has not heard him do it since. Ray Ray has never bitten or snapped.  His owner notes, "I feel like he would do exceptionally well in the right environment. He does not do well when he is confined (ie kennel/crate) He becomes "panicky" and destructive. He has been on anxiety medications before. His overall anxiety and destructiveness has drastically improved since he was about 2 years old. I'm not sure how he will handle change. We have been at the same house together since I brought him home @ 8 weeks old. He does great when we go for our walks, bring him to work with me or take him to see his grandma (my mom). He has free roam of my house and as long as I don't leave stuff laying around the house, he is an angel. He loves to ride in the car and to be treated like a member of the family. This dog could live off love... he is really an amazing boy!" She adds, " He's so sweet and loving. This absolutely breaks my heart to even consider getting rid of him! He would make his new owner very happy and loved."

Lottie - Staying With Owner

Name: Lottie

Sex: Female (altered)

Age: Approximately 10 years

Breed: Mixed Breed

Location: Central California

Vet Info: Lottie's eyes are very cloudy and there was little visual response.  She has mammary nodules. As of 10/14 Lottie is spayed and up to date on her shots and she is heartworm negative.

Owner Info:  Lottie is an indoor dog who seems to be almost housebroken.  She is not yet leash-trained.  She is good with people of all ages, cats, and dogs.  She is fine if the owner puts her hand down near her face or food bowl while she is eating.  She may have some hearing loss and sometimes she doesn't move very quickly which might be due to a joint problem.  Her eyes are "clear/translucent."  The owner wrote: "I am trying to find a home for a sweet, old, blind dog. I found her in a parking lot and have not been able to find any owner. And I've tried everything. I took her in for a basic vet exam. She's probably about 10 years old, 15 pounds, she's not spayed, she has a few lumps on her belly. The vet said her blindness is not due to cataracts. His guess was that it was something to do with lipids/fat in her eyes. I know she should get a full examination and blood work done and be spayed, but I can't afford a third dog! And my living situation and schedule are not right for her. So I've started putting the word out there to local animal rescues and such. She is really, really sweet and her tail is almost always wagging. And she's calm and quiet. The only time she really makes noise is when she lets out an adorable little howl right after she yawns. She will be a great dog for the right person."

Here is a youtube video of Lottie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s0I-DMebX4 

Update 10/14: Lottie’s owner writes "Lottie took a trip to the emergency vet. Her stomach was really swollen and hard. Turns out, she had a mass on her spleen that had slightly ruptured. So she had surgery to remove the mass on her spleen and her mammary lumps and she was also spayed. Turns out her mammary lumps were cancerous and it spread to her spleen. The vet didn’t see any other cancer, but since it already spread to her spleen, chances are, it will spread elsewhere and if that’s the case, the vet thinks she has around 6 to 8 months to live. Poor little baby. But for now, it seems like she feels fantastic! Better than ever. Or at least better than I’ve ever seen her. So I will continue to love her and take care of her until she stops feeling fantastic. Unless… I find someone who wants to take care of her and can give her a better life than I can. Even though she seems happy here with me, I still think she’d be happier with someone who is home more often and where she doesn’t spend the majority of her time in a room by herself." 

Update 11/23/13: Lottie is still looking for her forever home! 

Jazz - In Memory

Name: Jazz

Sex: Male (altered)

Age: Almost 9 years old

Breed: Miniature Schnauzer

Location: Maryland

Vet Info: Jazz is up to date on his shots and has been neutered.  He has not had a HW test since 2009.  He weighs 23 pounds.  He has "very bad skin" with thinning hair.  He is a "nervous dog" who has recently gained some weight.  The vet records confirm blindness but tests have not been done to confirm the cause although diabetes has been ruled out. 

Owner Info: Jazz's owners have had him since he was a puppy.  He is an indoor dog with the run of the house. He is housebroken and leash-trained.  He is outgoing and good with adults and teenagers.  He has "nipped" a small child and so should not be in a home with young children.  He is not good with cats or large dogs and the owner is uncertain about whether he would be good with small dogs ("might be").  He has skin allergy problems and turns "red all over" and needs to be on antibiotics.  He does not like car rides. The owner wrote:  I would love to see him go to someone who would care for him and love him like a child should be loved."

Snowflake

 

Name: Snowflake

Age: 5 weeks

Breed: Australian Shepherd

Sex: Female (not altered)

Location: TN

Vet Info: Vetting not verified.  Snowflake weighs about 5 pounds.

Owner Info: Snowflake's caregiver was looking at a horse when she discovered a litter of pups living outside with minimal protection from the weather.  She convinced the owner to relinquish mom and pups to her, and is now hoping for BDRA placement for adorable Snowflake!  Snowflake is the only one in the litter who is both blind and deaf.  Snowflake is a friendly little girl who is crate trained.  She's never shown any aggression, and is good with people of all ages, strangers, and other dogs!  She rides quietly in a car, and is fine when left alone in the house.  Snowflake is spunky and playful, and her favorite thing to do is to chew on toys!  

Please note: The first photo is Snowflake, the second is of her and her littermates with their beautiful Mom. 

Katie - In Foster Care, New England

Name: Katie

Sex: Female (spay not verified)
Breed: Blue Heeler
Age: 6 years
Location: Virginia

Vet Info: Katie is blind and deaf.  They believe her blindness is caused by cataracts.  Katie weighs 45 pounds.  Vetting information will be updated shortly.

Owner Info: Katie is a very sweet and loving girl who was found abandoned on a mountain road. The people who found her could not keep her and surrendered her to her current rescue. They believe the odds of her finding a furever home in that area who not only know how to care for a blind and deaf dog, but want to, are very slim.  They feel she needs a better chance at a furever home than they can give her.  Katie is an indoor dog with run of the house, she is housebroken and leash trained, and good with other dogs.  Katie is not possessive of toys, treats, or food, and has never shown any aggression.  Besides the back leg (right) that doesn't bend and the fact that she is also deaf, they say that she seems to be quite healthy.  They note that "Katie is deaf and blind as well as having a crippled rear leg but she is so sweet and she deserves more than we can give her here!"

No Name Labrador Mix Puppy - In BDRA Foster Care

Name: No name
Sex: Female (not altered)
Age: 8 weeks

Breed: Lab mix

Location: Virginia

  

Vet info:  Vetting not verified, but owner said she's current with vaccines.

Owner info:  This adorable pup with no name is in need of a new home!  Her elderly owner is unable to care for her.  According to her owner, the puppy was walking and hit her eye which immediately bubbled up, and then got a white coating.  We believe she has sight in the other eye.  Her owner says she appears frightened when inside, so she's currently living in a barn with hay and blankets, which he says she likes.  She's good with people of all ages, and both dogs and cats.  Her owner notes that other than her eye, she appears very healthy.  

Juliette - Adopted

Name:  Juliette

Sex: Female (not altered)

Breed:  Min Pin

Age: Born in 2003

Location:  Kentucky

Vet Information: Juliette's vetting has not yet been confirmed, but her owners say that she is up to date on vaccines and heartworm negative.  They believe that Juliette can see shapes, but needs to hear a voice before she'll recognize the person.  She weighs 16 pounds and is a little overweight, but otherwise is healthy per her owners.

Owner Information: Juliette's owners are becoming foster parents at the end of this week (week of Jan 21st).  Juliette is becoming "more and more aggressive", and they'll be unable to keep her after the children arrive.  They've tried friends, relatives, coworkers, and other rescues, but have had no luck.  Juliette is an indoor dog with run of the house, she is housebroken and leash trained.  Juliette is a smart girl and knows many commands, including "sit", "go to jail" (her crate), "lay down", and "go outside".  She's good with men, women, and teenagers, but is not good with children.  They also note she's an "alpha dog" and does not like to let their other dog eat or get attention.  They note that Juliette has never like strangers, but once she gets used to you, usually within minutes, she is fine!   She has recently started going blind and may be having difficulty adjusting to her blindness.  Her owners have found that if you don't talk to her, she will go after you. But once she hears your voice, she rolls over and wants to be petted!  She has bitten twice, but this may have been because she was frightened.  From her owners:  "The first person she bit was in our house alone without permission, so it wasn't Juliette's fault at all. The second person was watching her when we were out of town and Juliette had gotten distracted and when she saw her again, the person was in a different room bending over and she must have thought she was an intruder."   They add that, "Juliette is a very sweet dog. At home, she is loving and docile. She rolls to her back whenever spoken to. She loves to "drive" the car and go for rides. Our kids love her and play chase with her. Once she knows you and recognizes you, she wants to sit with you and be loved on. She would be great in a home with little outside foot traffic. She is a great watch/guard dog. She knows when she is in trouble and puts herself in her kennel. She is very smart and acts like a little person."

Update 4/16/2013: Things are getting very urgent for Juliette!!  Her owner is losing patience with her and is about ready to take her to the pound. However, Juliette would be a great addition to someone who has a quiet home!!

Today (4/16) her owner wrote: Juliette still needs to find another home. Just last weekend, our neighbor threw a ball over our fence. He sent his son in to retrieve it and she bit him. It didn’t  break the skin, but it scared him. We have warned him several times, but they feel so comfortable around Juliette when we are home, that they forget she bites. I will be forced to take her to the pound soon. My patience has worn very thin. I maintain that she would be a great companion to someone who doesn’t have a lot of foot traffic. But she’s too much for us and all of the company we have at our house.

Update 9/16/13: Juliette's owners said today they would like Juliette to find a new home as soon as possible!

Update 11/25/13: Juliette’s owner says “She is doing well, but we are still looking for a home. She dug out of the back yard a few weeks ago and was picked up by the pound. We got her back out and now she goes from a kennel outside to a kennel inside. We really need to find her a place so that she can have a better quality of life.”

Update 1/27/14: We've heard from Juliette's owners and she is getting more urgent.  Please continue to share Juliette to other rescues only.  She would be a great addition for someone with a quiet home and they are desperately hoping for rescue for her.  Juliette's owner will gladly drive her throughout Kentucky or the surrounding states to rescue so she can have the life she deserves. Her owner wrote “Juliette is still in need of a home. We simply can’t take care of her much longer. We are doing everything we can to find her another home, but will have to take her to the pound very soon. We try to let her out as much as possible, but she is regressing on her housetraining because she is in her kennel outside and cage inside so much.  It's just not fair to her.”

No Name GSD Mix Puppy - In BDRA Foster Care

Name: No Name Yet

Sex: Male (not altered)

Age: 9 weeks

Breed: German Shepherd Mix

Location: North Carolina

Vet Info: The puppy was given a couple of medications (one for pain, one antibiotic) and removal of the eye was recommended ASAP. 

Owner Info: The current owner saved this puppy from a person who was going to have him euthanized.  He is 9 weeks old and weighs 5 pounds.  The current owner took him to get his eye checked and was told that his eye needs to be removed.  She thinks he has a cataract.  Otherwise, he is healthy and happy.  She said that she is working with him on housetraining and crate training and "he is doing great!"

April - In Memory

Name: April

Sex: Female (altered per owner)

Breed: Chi Mix

Age: 8 years old (estimated)

Location: Southeastern NJ

Vet Info: April received her distemper and rabies vaccines on 7/9/12, and is next due 7/9/2013. Most recent vet paperwork from September indicates "corneal edema left", "lens luxation right", and "glaucoma OU". April has not had recent heartworm testing. April weighs 10 pounds. Update:  According to owner, April is now spayed, microchipped, and is heartworm negative! 

Owner Info: Sweet April and her daughter were on their way to a shelter because their owner's husband was ill and they couldn't take care of them anymore. Instead, they were dropped off at a rescuer's house. The rescue believes that April's needs would be better met with another rescue as they are not equipped for a blind dog.  They have five children there (ages 4 to 19), with friends constantly in and out, and feel this is too much action for April.  April is a wonderfully sweet girl who is housebroken but does not appear to be leash trained.  April is good with both men and women, and other dogs and cats. She is somewhat fearful, so they believe she may do best without younger children, but she has never bitten or snapped. The only time she has ever shown aggression is towards her own daughter - her daughter is very bossy! April has gotten the layout of her new home very quickly. She has her favorite spots and knows where the water is, etc.. She doesn't go out the dog door, but if she's put outside, she knows where to go off the deck to potty and come back to the door and wait.  Other than her eyes, April seems very healthy!  April is a very sweet and loving girl. She LOVES to sleep on the couch under the blankets. She's crated when they are not home and she is fine with that.

                  

Keller - At Shelter

Name: Keller

Sex: Male (not altered)

Age: Unknown, possibly adult
Breed: Unknown, caretaker believes he looks like former BDRA dog, Vlad, a German Shepherd mix.  She says he's a "reddish" color. Picture of Vlad attached.
Location: Tulsa, OK area

Vet info: No vet info, but Keller's caretaker believes he weighs about 50 pounds. A local organization has offered to pay for his neuter if Keller finds rescue. 

Owner Info: Keller was found in the street a few months ago, he was dehydrated and emaciated and had a mangled foot. His caretaker has done her best to nurse him back to health, but he lives outside and has no real shelter. She does have a barn that he goes in, but there are holes in the roof.  She has contacted local organizations, and has been advised to bring Keller to the shelter, but she is hoping for rescue or adoption.  She does not know if he is housebroken or leash-trained.  Keller is good with women and with her female dogs, but she has never seen him with a male dog.  He once growled and snapped at a man who had him cornered and was petting him aggressively.  He has never growled or snapped at her.  She believes Keller may have glaucoma and says that his eyeballs appear enlarged and milky.  She does not feel that Keller would be good around children.      

        

Max - In BDRA Foster Care

Name: Max
Sex: Male (altered)
Age: 2-3 years
Breed: Schnauzer
Location: Tennessee

Vet Info:  Max is a 19 pound Schnauzer who is up to date on his shots. He is HW negative and he has been neutered.

Owner Info:  Max was rescued from a clinic where  his breeder took him to euthanized.  He was bred for his rare liver color and is suspected to have been born blind.  IN his temporary home, he is an indoor dog with the run of the house.  He is housebroken and leash trained. He knows "come," "sit," and "stay."  He is good with adults and other dogs. He has shown no signs of aggression.  He is described as "sweet, smart and playful."  

Molly - In Foster Care

Name: Molly
Sex: Female (altered)
Age: 11 years
Breed: Springer Spaniel
Location: Tidewater Area in Virginia

Vet Info:  Molly is up to date on all shots.  She weighs 36 pounds and is spayed. She is blind due to a stroke. She also has seizures (rarely) that are "stress-induced" and so takes a valium prior to stressful situations, like going to the vet.  Otherwise, Molly is in good health!

Owner Info:  The owner wrote: "We have a very sweet, small, purebred Springer Spaniel that we need to find a home.  Her name is Molly.  We have had her since she was 6 months old and she is the first and only dog we have had since we got married.  Molly is in perfect health (vet certified) outside of being 100% blind. The blindness has increased her awareness and she can find people, food and the door. However if you're not around when she needs you and she is in the house, she will “go” on the floor.  For that reason, that has left Molly in our garage during the day for 8 hours when we are at work and also at night.  I hate that.  She is in good health but her quality of life, in my opinion, is terrible.  She is up to date on all shots.  We have our second child due this month and honestly I’m not sure we are going to be able to keep her if I can't find an alternative." 

Other info on Molly from the owner:  Molly doesn't like dog parks but doesn't mind being around other dogs. She is good with people of all ages.  She follows the commands to "sit" and "stay."  She is leashtrained and also is housetrained if someone is in the house to watch her signals and know that she needs to go out.

Cy - Adopted and Teddy - In BDRA Foster Care

Names: Cy and Teddy
Sex: Males (not altered)
Ages: Five weeks (Born 12/4/12)
Breed: Scottish Terriers
Location: Approximately an hour south of Harrisburg, PA

Vet Info: Pups were seen on 12/11, both with swollen eyes and discharge.  Owner stated they were born in the mud outside.  One pup had an abscessed right eye which was "pretty much blown" and an open wound around the eye socket.  He was put on antibiotics, vitamins, and a saline wash.  Owner has not been in for a recheck.  They weigh about one pound.

Owner Info: Cy (first photo) and Teddy (second photo) are very sweet pups who were born outside and according to their owner, got an eye infection. She has taken them to the vet and given them antibiotics, vitamins and washed their eyes with saline. Unfortunately, one puppy (Teddy) lost both eyes and is completely blind, and Cy lost one eye completely but can see out of the other eye. Teddy is very dependent on his brother and she feels it would be nice to place them together, however they can be separated.  She has started them on dog food but is still needing to feed them by bottle all night every couple of hours.  Teddy doesn't move around much and has trouble finding his food, and will cry.  He will eat if placed right over the food, but only for a few minutes, although he seems to be doing better lately. Teddy is very sweet and cuddly and Cy is more outgoing and independent and acts more like a "normal" puppy.  She has had no luck finding them homes because people don't look beyond their eyes.  The pups will have their first set of shots at six weeks.  She loves them very much and desperately wants what's best for the pups.  She is hoping they will find a home where people know how to work with blind dogs.      

UPDATE 1/18/2013: Cy has found a home!!! Teddy has had his first vaccination and is ready to find his forever home - can you help this adorable boy?               

Lieben - Staying With Owner

Name: Lieben

Breed: German Shepherd

Age: 13 years old

Sex: Female (altered)

Location: Approximately an hour NW of Philadelphia, PA

Vet Info:  Lieben is confirmed spayed.  Lieben had her three year rabies vaccine on 5/18/12, and her three year distemper vaccine on 3/30/2011.  Her bordetella vaccine was given on 5/8/12.  Lieben tested heartworm negative in 2011, but they have no record of selling her owners heartworm preventative.  Lieben weighs 86 pounds.

Owner Info: Lieben is an older German Shepherd who has gone blind within the past few weeks.  She has been diagnosed with glaucoma.  Due to their health and financial issues, her owners are unable to keep her and are finding her blindness difficult for them to manage.  Lieben does OK manuevering in the bedroom, but has difficulty with stairs.  She also pulls on the leash.  They also can't afford her medication, so are giving her Visine.  They have asked neighbors and friends, but have not found a home for her, and people are telling them to put her down.  She is an indoor dog confined to one area of the house, she is housebroken and leash trained.  Lieben knows "sit", "stay", and "come."  Lieben is a gentle girl, and is good with both dogs and cats.  She currently lives with a cat.  She is not possessive of toys, treats, or food, and has never shown any aggression.  Other than her blindness, they say she is in good health.  Her owners want us to know that she's a very good girl!  She loves to have her belly scratched and loves to eat spaghetti.   

Update 2/14/2013: Woody's Place German Shepherd Sanctuary is working with her owners to enable her to stay in her home and receive the medical care she needs. If you would like to make a donation towards Lieben's expensive eye medication please visit their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/#!/woodysplacesgss?fref=ts

Jack - In Foster Care

Name:  Jack

Sex:  Male (altered)

Age: 8 - 10 years old

Breed: Rat Terrier

Location: Eastern Georgia

  

Vet Info: Jack is confirmed neutered and heartworm negative.  He is next due for rabies, bordetella, distemper, and parvo vaccines on 12/6/13.  While a heart murmur had been heard previously, there was no murmur heard at Jack's most recent visit, but he does have a luxating patella and advanced cataracts. Jack weighs 8 pounds and is microchipped. 

Owner Info:Jack was abandoned at a local vet hospital by his original owners, and the staff there surrendered him to a local high kill shelter. Due to his age and what appeared to be an injury to his knee, he was unfortunately not headed to the adoption area, so a rescue stepped in to save his life.  Unfortunately, he has not yet been able to find his adoptive home, and they're hoping for BDRA placement for Jack they believe this will be a more appropriate placement.  Jack is an 8 to 10 year old, neutered male, tri colored, Rat Terrier. He weighs about 8 pounds. Jack is an indoor dog with run of the house, and he is housebroken and crate trained.  He walks great on a harness and leash and loves to ride in the car. He is good with people of all ages, and with both dogs and cats.  Jack loves soft dog beds and chewing on pressed rawhide bones. He thinks peanut butter is delicious, and he takes his daily meds in canned food. He can chew dry food also, if mixed in with a little water.  Jack's leg was not broken or injured, but he has an arthritic, luxating patella (knee). He needs daily joint supplements and pain meds that have to be purchased and regulated by a veterinarian. He will need these for the rest of his life, but these medications are relatively inexpensive.  He loves to cuddle under blankets with you on cool days, but he can't go for long walks so his diet has to be monitored so that he doesn't  get too fat.  Extra weight is bad for his compromised joints. Jack is a real sweetheart! 

Abbey - Staying With Owner

Name: Abbey
Sex: Female (not yet altered)
Age: 5 years
Breed: Poodle Mix
Location: Georgia

Vet Info: The current owner took this dog from a friend when the friend was moving out of state. The current owner does not have any information from Abbey's vet.  

Owner Info: Abbey is an 8 to 10 pound unspayed poodle mix whose former owner moved out of state. Abbey's current owner is unable to keep her and, in fact, needs her to find a new home quickly since he will be leaving the area for a job. Abbey is an indoor dog with the run of the house. She is not yet housetrained or leash-trained. She is good with people of all ages and also good with female dogs. She is not possessive of treats or toys or food. By report from the former owner, Abbey is current on her shots and was tested at some point to be heartworm negative. She is completely blind in one eye and has limited vision with the other, but can see movement. The current owner says: Abbey is a very sweet and loving dog!

Carlo - In Foster Care

Name: Carlo
Sex: Male (altered)
Age: Approximately 5 years
Breed: Chihuahua
Location: Eastern Georgia

Vet Info: Carlo is confirmed neutered and heartworm negative.  He is up to date on vaccines, and is next due for rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccines on 12/16/2013.  Carlo weighs about 7 pounds. 

Owner Info: Carlo was pulled from the shelter by a rescue in September, 2011.  He's attended adoption events and has been on their website and Petfinder, but unfortunately, has not been able to find his adoptive home.   As his eyes continue to deteriorate, they're hoping for BDRA placement for Carlo as he will have a better chance of finding his forever home and his specific needs may be met a little better.  Carlo is a male, dark fawn, 5 year old, Chihuahua. When Carlo was first pulled, he had a skin condition.  They have tried lots of diagnostics and medications, and Carlo is growing hair in places that he had not been able to before. Their vet believes that he has a clinical case of demodex mange. It is a genetic mange and is not contagious to other animals or humans. Carlo is currently receiving daily treatments of oral ivermectin, while on a grain free diet of Natural Balance Duck and Potato dog food. He also gets daily doses of benedryl and prednisone, which seems to help make him comfortable.  Carlo makes up for what he is missing in the looks department with his personality. He is a gentle, laid back dog with a very kind soul. He gets along with everyone, dogs and cats alike, isn't a barker and really enjoys leash walks and rides in the car. Carlo is an indoor dog confined to one area of the house, he is housebroken and leash trained.  He prefers to sleep buried in fleece blankets in his crate at night.  Carlo has been diagnosed by a specialist in Atlanta with progressive retinal atrophy and will eventually be completely blind.                    

Dakota - Taken To Shelter

Name: Dakota
Sex: Male (altered)
Age: 7 years
Breed: Siberian Husky Mix
Location: Texas

Vet Info: Dakota is a Siberian Husky mix who is neutered. He had a three year rabies shot in June of 2010. He has a diagnosis of glaucoma. He weighs about 65 pounds. 

Owner Info: Dakota was adopted from the local SPCA when he was about a year old. Dakota's parents divorced a couple years ago, and his dad got custody. Now his dad/owner is not able to provide care for Dakota due to work and travel obligations and so would like a new home for Dakota. Dakota has been completely blind for about three years. He is an indoor dog who is crated. He is housetrained and leashtrained. He knows the commands to sit, lay down and shake. He is an outgoing dog who is good with people of all ages and also with cats and other small animals.. As far as how he is with other dogs, Dakota's owner wrote: "Dakota is great around smaller dogs. He has only had problems with larger male dogs that have been "nosey." This has only happened on 2 occasions I tried to bring a lab into the house as a brother last year, but he was bigger and playful and Dakota felt threatened so I was not able to keep him. However, with my sister's and mother's lap dogs he is perfect." Dakota has never bitten or snapped. He has demonstrated what his owner thinks is separation anxiety; he has damaged drywall and shades when his owner has been gone for a long time. Crating Dakota when his owner is out of the house has solved this problem. Dakota's dad/owner says: Dakota is a GREAT dog!

Casper - In Foster Care

Name: Casper
Sex: Male (not altered)
Age: Five weeks
Breed: Great Dane
Location: Slightly west of Houston, TX

Vet Info:  Vet believes Casper has micro opthalmia.  His sockets are sunken and he couldn't see Casper's eyeballs.  Casper made no response to loud noises, so vet believes he's also deaf.  Casper has had his first set of puppy shots, and his vet said, "that's really all he needs right now".  Casper weighs 10 pounds. 

Owner Info: Casper's owner is a breeder who has to sell most of her own danes due to health issues.  She has been breeding dogs for over 19 years off and on, and this is the first deaf and blind puppy she's had.  She was advised to put Casper down but she doesn't want to do that.  She knew he was deaf but not blind (because he plays so well with siblings, goes to food and water bowls and comes to her when she goes into whelping pen) until she had him examined this week.  She's tried to place him, but has had no luck.  Casper is good with people of all ages, and both dogs and cats. She has taken him to other rooms of the house and he maneuvers around well and doesn't really bump into furniture, which is why she thought he could see. She believes he may see a little.  Casper is a total sweetheart! 

Here is a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_X792LxXlY

Murdock - In Foster Care

Name: Murdock

Sex:  Male (not yet altered, but will be)
Age: 2 years old
Breed: Chihuahua/Shiba Inu mix?
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Vet Info:   Murdock will be vetted prior to placement.  Murdock weighs 15 pounds. 

Owner Info:  Murdock was pulled from a kill shelter by another rescue, right before he was to be euthanized.  He was originally picked up as a stray in Denver and appears to be completely blind.  Unfortunately, they've not been able to find a foster home for him within their rescue as their fosters are always bursting at the seams, and Murdock is having a great deal of difficulty in their kennel.  He is a very sweet dog who is kind and gentle when he isn't so stressed, but the kennel is just too stressful and frightening for him, and he will snap when he is first approached.  If approached slowly, however, he will calm down quickly.  Murdock is kenneled alone.  He is housebroken but not leash trained, and he is good with both men and women.  Notes from the shelter paperwork before he was pulled say that he was very frightened and timid, but would take treats from your hand (he likes cheese and hot dogs the most!), and would allow himself to be picked up.  Once in your arms, he would cling and bury his head in your neck or shoulder. 

When asked if he is good with other dogs, this was the answer given:

"The volunteers have been working with Murdock to get him used to a kennel mate. We have divided a kennel in half with an x-pen and put Murdock (blind) on one side and Rachael, a laidback Chihuahua on the other. They spent some time whining today but settled down. Two of our volunteers took both Rachael and Murdock into the socialization area and sat with them on their laps next to each other on the couch. They did well and relaxed and enjoyed to goings-on in the busy area near the socialization area and when put back settled right down in their kennels and were fine. Murdock is getting more comfortable with the daily cleaning routine also."