Optimus Prime-In Tiny Dog Rescue/Blind Dog Haven Foster Care, WA

Name: Optimus Prime

Sex: Female (not altered)
Breed: Chihuahua
Age: 5-6 weeks

Location: Houston, TX

Vet/Medical Info: At time of visit the vet estimates pup is about five weeks old, approximate dob 9/13/2011. Pup is obviously not spayed, hasn't had hw testing and has had no vaccines. Pup has bigger head than normal and has soft spot on side of head - not top. Pup has vision problems and had no reaction to any vision testing done. They believe pup will have issues, possibly genetic, but could not say exactly what. Exam was very brief because they did not want to charge for it.

Owner Info: This sweet 5-6 week old puppy was dumped at a local Petsmart in Katy, Texas. She is blind and cannot eat on her own. A GS has taken her in and has been feeding her via syringe every few hours and also giving her puppy milk to help build her bones in her back legs. Her hind legs have a lack of strength, therefore she does not stand too well and wobbles a lot. The vet said that she MAY have some sort of brain damage and/or water on her brain due to the shape of her head. She did not respond to simple vision tests performed by vet (i.e: cottonball test, near tap test) and does not look in any direction to respond to sounds. Her current owner (the GS) has contacted many, if not, almost all of the local rescues in Texas (non-breed specific) in order to find someone who would take her in, but with no success. The little girl has yet to really explore where she is and what is around her. Every time her owners other dogs or cats come up to sniff her, she does not respond in any way. She keeps her head down and continues her rest. She has very little to no activity throughout the day, although they have attempted to get her to move around but she just lays right down where ever they put her. She is not too badly under weight. She eats when the food is fed through syringe and drinks also without having any bad reactions to it. She is a lover. She will be the BEST lap dog. She loves to be cuddled into your shirt whether it be when you're driving or simply laying on the couch. She does give small kisses and she knows the voice of a kind human and stops shaking when she hears it. She loves to be in her little pink crate and sleeps most of the night (wakes up around 2 am for a small feeding or a drink) but does not bark much (unless she feels lost) and is very sweet in nature.

Bentley - In Memory

Name: Bentley
Sex: Male (not altered)
Breed: Beagle/Irish Setter Mix
Age: 21 months
Location: Stratford, NJ

 

Vet/Medical Info: Bentley was never tested for Heartworm, too young but they sold owner Heartguard. He is not neutered and received all vaccinations in January 2011, due for all including rabies January 2012. Also tested for fecal and was negative. No good evaluation of his eyes was conducted because he was too nervous.

Owner Info: DOB 1/5/2010. Bentley's owner is no longer home enough to give him to attention he needs and deserves. Bentley gets very excited when we they are home, it's so adorable seeing him so happy. It's very unfair to him that he's left alone for so long. They did have another dog that kept Bentley company but he passed away earlier this year. They have looked into no-kill shelters but no one will take him because he is blind and they don't want to give him to just anyone. They got Bentley as a puppy, the family's Dad's dog had puppies and all of the puppies were fine with the exception of Bentley, they don't know what the cause of his blindness is. Bentley adapts well the new situations, when they have company over anyone and everyone can pet or play with him and he is fine. Also they just moved to a new house and he was fine with it. He's healthy, outgoing and full of energy, loves to play and loves to run. Owner is happy to have him neutered. Bentley is an indoor dog with the run of the house, he is housebroken and leash trained. He is good with people of all ages and good with other dogs.

Ranger - In Memory

Name: Ranger
Sex: Male (altered)
Breed: Beagle/Dachshund Mix
Age: 5 years
Location: Madison, WI

Vet/Medical Info: Bordetella was due May 2011 but he is up to date with the rest of his vaccines. They are not due until June 18 2012. Heartworm test was negative and he is neutered. No other medical conditions.

Owner Info: Ranger's owner is rehoming him because he nips at children. He fights with their other dogs and likes to be by himself. He has to have a good home who can give him the proper attention with no children and so he knows he has his own food. He needs a good, wholesome, environment, maybe with teenagers, and someone to care for him. He needs to be an only dog. He has bitten adults, too. There are four other dogs in his current home, he and one other dog fight all the time, he bites because of food issues. If they didn't have any other dogs, they would keep him. He does NOT draw blood - just kind of nips. The other dogs were there before, he just doesn't fit in with them. His previous owner gave him up because they were moving and couldn't have him, a foster person took care of him for 10 days, and then his current owners took him. They felt like they weren't ready for him, but they just dropped him off. They did suspect something was wrong. He's a bit overweight because he steals food. It is difficult for them to work with Ranger because they are deaf and he is blind. Currently they crate him when they are eating or when he is eating, he is fine with this. Ranger loves to go for walks, loves to go to the dog park. Sort of likes the water. His previous owner never took him anywhere, they have exposed him to a lot of things. Since his vision has gotten worse, we can't train him. Ranger is completely blind, he bumps into things. Eyes are clear, Vet suspect SARDS. They couldn't afford more testing as they already owe the vet several hundred dollars. His hearing is not where it should be nor is his sense of smell. He loves people, likes to sit in your lap. He loves to burrow under blankets and likes to lie down at your feet.

Kylie - Adopted

Name: Kylie
Sex: Female (altered)
Breed: Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix
Age: 8 years
Location: Junction City, KS

 

Vet/Medical Info: Kylie received her rabies vaccination (1 yr) on 5/4/2011. She received her distemper (DA2PP) and bordatella vacs on 9/30/2011, she also had a fecal and HW test on this date - both negative. She is spayed.

Owner Info: DOB August 2003. Kylie's owners are in the military so are moving constantly. Kylie went blind a little over two years ago due to a degenerative retinal disease (bilateral retinal degeneration). Kylie's Dad is getting ready to deploy and it is best for her Mom and her 9 month old son if they move back with her parents and save money. The only problem is she can't take Kylie with her. Her son takes up a lot of her time too and she feels that Kylie would be happier in a new home that can give her the attention she deserves. Kylie was an owner surrender (was 3 months old) at a vet clinic her owner worked for. She came in with a broken leg, her owner paid for surgery and the following rehabilitation. The right rear leg doesn't bend, but its functional and she has little to no pain in it. She is WONDERFUL with kids, her 9 month old can pull on her hair and pet her and do basically whatever and she just licks him. Kylie was trained to be a therapy dog (group was called the Delta Therapy group, since disbanded) so she has had a lot of obedience training. She has basic and advanced obedience along with therapy dog certification. She has been used to train doctors how to use ultrasound (and therefore owner knows that her liver, kidneys, etc were healthy). She has a blood test done each year to make sure all her values are normal. The only two issues she has is she is developing slight arthritis in her elbow, and she is blind. Because of her fused leg she cannot walk down stairs but can walk up (now with strict supervision due to her blindness). Kylie has not emotionally handled the constant moving around very well. She has two chihuahua sisters so she does well with small dogs but is very fearful of larger dogs. Kylie in an indoor dog confined to one area of the house, she is house trained. She is a smart girl and knows commands such as sit, down, leave it, wait, go outside, go in your bed (crate), careful, stop. She is good with people of all ages and other dogs, cats and small animals. You do have to watch larger animals that try to jump on her, she will growl and snap her jaws, but is never close to biting, it’s more like a warning and it has only happened a couple times in her life since she is usually not around hyperactive large breed dogs. She moves around slowly and has a harness that has a bar in front that acts as a bumper so she doesn't head butt the wall. Her owner hates that she is no longer in a situation where she can keep her, but at least she can make sure she ends up in a better home. She started looking for a new home for her a little over 5 months ago when she found out she was moving and they have just 4 months left to make plans for her.

Tallulah and Bodie (Bonded Pair) - Tallulah Adopted / Bodie Staying With Owner

Name: Tallulah and Bodie
Sex: Females (altered)
Breed: Catahoula/Greyhound Mix and Shepherd Mix
Age: 2 years
Location: Alamogordo, NM


Vet/Medical Info: Tallulah is up to date on vaccines. Had three-year rabies in April 2011, due 3/29/2014. Due for distemper and parvo on 3/31/2012 and due for bordatella on 10/1/11. Due for next rattlesnake vaccine and deworming in May 2012. Tallulah is spayed, they have no record of HW testing. Both eyes are dilated but not responsive and she has no blink response. Bodie is a spayed female shepherd cross.  No heartworm testing done, due for rabies, distemper, parvo and lepto on 6/22/2012, due for bordatella 12/23/11.  Due for deworming  in May, 2012.  Bodie is microchipped, as is Tallulah. Other than swelling after her spay, they had no medical information of note.

Owner Info: DOB October 2009. Tallulah and Bodie’s owner has seven dogs and was just fostering Tallulah and her little buddy Bodie. She took them off death row at the Alamogordo, NM Animal Control Shelter, the day they were to be euthanized. The shelter deemed them "unadoptable." Unfortunately Tullulah and Bodie’s owners husband was killed in a plane crash and it has caused her life to be so unstable, she doesn't know where she is going to live, much less the doggies. She has grown quite attached to all the dogs, but she feels the two newest ones, Tallulah and Bodie, should be the ones to surrender. Tullie and Bodie have been together since they were puppies, the bond they share is amazing, it is clear that Bodie knows Tallulah is not sighted and often acts as a go-between her and either a new person or a new situation. It is quite something to witness. They have been inseparable for the past almost two years. They were initially crate-trained together, spayed together then kept in the kennel at the Vet while she got her home in order to be able to foster two more dogs. When she has to travel, they always are in the same run at the kennels. Her other dogs require more medical care and expenses and she is committed to that. She just cannot care for this many dogs when her life is so unstable and up in the air. She has been to and contacted animal shelters in Montana and New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Texas, and none of them want to take on "special needs" dogs. She wishes they could understand how easy it is to have a blind dog; her other dogs require much more care and medical attention. Tullulah is a very smart girl, she knows commands such as Sit, Stay, Lie Down, Go to Your Bed, No, Come, Move, Up, Down, Let's Go For a Ride, Want a Treat? and Time to Eat. She is probably the smartest dog her owner has ever seen. She is quite sweet and likes to cuddle and be held. She gives great dog-hugs, standing on her hind legs and reaching her front paws up wanting a hug. She sleeps on the bed with her owner and several of the other dogs sometimes. Sometimes she sleeps in a chair, sometimes in her dog bed with her buddy Bodie. She is very active and is the best dog to run with because she never tires. She stays around the house and doesn't try to run off.  She loves to go for car rides and wants to put her head out the window even though she can't see anything. She does get cold easily, in the winter she wears a little coat. She is very compliant when having her nails trimmed or getting shots or a medical check-up. Tallulah and her owners one large female dog do not like each other. They growl at each other and the other dog basically just avoids Tallulah. She can take them on walks together though. That said, Talullah has bitten at the other dog once in the car. She has not bitten or snapped at any people or any other animals. She tries to keep the two dogs separated unless she is present. Tallulah and Bodie have moved a couple of times since her owners husband was killed and they adapt immediately to the new home environment. They have also adapted well the few times they have been in boarding kennels. She believes Tallulah was born sighted. The animal control officers ran her into traffic when they were chasing her and she got hit by a car. She had numerous abrasions to her face and head and the Vet thinks the impact may have damaged her optic nerves. She is completely blind in both eyes. Her owner would not recommend her being put in a family with children or cats as she has never, ever been around them and she doesn't know what her reaction would be. Her other dogs hate cats and bark at them so she thinks she has learned that from them. She gets along with all of her other dogs, except for the one. They do not like each other. So a dominant female dog home would probably not be the best idea. She clearly likes to be the dominant female but her little male terriers clearly dominate her. Both dogs are housebroken and leash trained. Whilst the owner would rather the two girls stay together, she will consider separating them if there is no other option. Their owner can pay for transportation to get them to where they need to go, for fostering or to a home. If it is in one of the surrounding states, she can even drive them there and is willing to assist with paying for food and boarding.

Mobe - Adopted

Name: Mobe
Sex: Shih Tzu (altered)
Breed: Shih Tzu
Age: Unknown
Location: Palm Beach gardens, FL

Vet/Medical Info: Mobe was neutered 6/14/2008. He received DHPP and Bordetella 1 yr shots and rabies 3 yr shot 9/9/2011 and was also given Frontline, was dewormed and tested HW-. He also had a fecal test and it was negative. Vet noted bilateral ocular opacity (possibly blind) and he has possible peridontal disease and mild dental tartar. He also has a cyst on left side of hip area.

Owner Info: Mobe's owner recently saved him from Miami Dade Animal Services to avoid him being euthanized. His old owners did not want him anymore. It was indicated he had partial blindness and they put him in quarantine board. He had a cataract in one eye and hyphema probably from some blunt force in the other eye, however when this cleared up it was discovered he has cataracts in both eyes and is therefore essentially blind. They seem to be mature but they could potentially be operable to restore sight. He is healthy other than the cataracts, normal size and weight, no food allergies. To complicate this, Mobe’s new owners cat is not taking well to him and is attacking quite viciously, since he is blind he has no idea she is coming after him. She has asked some rescue contacts to find him a temporary foster home but is looking for a rescue who understands special needs dogs and specializes in placing a blind dog. Mobe is very alert and independent and walks well on the leash, even in an area he is unfamiliar with. He also is comfortable enough to walk off leash, if you click your fingers he follows you. He does not act as if he is any different than other dogs and even when he bumps into something he goes right back on his way. Mobe's owner is looking to place him somewhere where he can get the attention he needs as a special needs dog because she can't give this to him. She also worries about his safety with her cat as he does not defend himself and she is too aggressive with him. She realizes she should not have taken him but it was never indicated up front how severe his blindness was and other than his blindness he is healthy and there was no reason for him to be euthanized. She just had to save him. Owner will be taking Mobe to her own vet for glucose tests to determine if the cause for cataracts is diabetes. She will also get the cyst on his hip checked and start him on some supplements and eye drops as a maintenance measure.

Kuei - Adopted

Name: Kuei
Sex: Male (altered)
Breed: Siberian Husky
Age: 1 year approximately
Location: Wakefield, QC

Vet/Medical Info: On 4/10/2011 Kuei was vaccinated for DHPP and bordetella at the Gatineau SPCA prior to being transferred to Sasha's Den. 5/4/2011 he was taken to their vet for a complete exam. He was HW tested (SNAP 4DX) and was negative and was given his rabies vaccine. Advantage Multi was applied. Eye exam: his right eye is bigger than left. Pressure taken in both eyes: 15 on the left, 18 on the right. That is slightly elevated, but he has no pain associated with it, his eye does not run, his pupil is not dilated and everything else seems normal. He has juvenile cataracts which is the cause of his blindness. Heart, lungs, normal. Bacterial folliculitis. He was put on Novo-Lexin for 2 weeks. Slight Ortolani sign on both hips. He was X-rayed under anesthesia on 5/5/2011 while being neutered and does not have any sign of arthritis and does not have hip dysplasia. This summer he had a urinalysis because he urinates a lot, results were normal including density. He is on HW preventatives and was also dewormed with Safeguard X 5 days.

Owner Info: Kuei is a beautiful blind husky with Qc Rescue, Sasha's Den. Unfortunately, the rescue is experiencing problems with him that make permanent homing a big challenge. Kuei is still not house trained, in spite of the angelic efforts that the foster family (the actual owners of Sasha's Den) have made so far. They have also put together a nice pen for him outside, in which they can't leave him, as he will howl and bark at the least noise. Although Sasha's Den has homed blind dogs in the past, the combination of all of these issues make the situation overwhelming and Kuei would benefit from being undertaken by a specialty rescue. They are not sure if the blindness and incontinence have been caused by seizures or maybe head trauma from his past life as a stray. They have to get up at 6am and take him out at once. He has to go out every 4-5 hours during the day. Placing a blind dog is difficult, placing an un-housetrained blind dog merely impossible, around there at least. Kuei's eyes are brown, clear and wide - it is not obvious he is blind. He has a very sweet disposition. He eats well, has normal stool. He gets along with female dogs, is a little macho with males. Too rough with small dogs, not to be trusted around cats.  They can help with transportation, Kuei is located in the Rawdon area, Qc.