This is Dopey and he is a 2-3 year old Aussie Mix. He is also blind. This is why he is curled up in the corner. He has no idea where he is because he can not see. He is terrified because he does not know what is happening to him and is unsocial because he doesn’t see you when you pass by his cage. Therefore Dopey keeps getting passed up and is not yet adopted.
Dopey is still available for adoption and rescue. He has been evaluated by two rescues. Amazing Aussies could not take him at the time because he needs more work before being with other dogs. He is receiving another evaluation November 19,2012, and we will update what the result of that evaluation is.
He is having a hard time warming up to staff and would benefit from being adopted or rescued. While we recommend an eval/introduction prior to all rescues/adoptions, we would highly recommend it in this case since he is having a hard time adjusting.
There are an extraordinary number of animals at shelters and over 50% are euthanized every day. Many of the animals that do not have a chance at getting adopted and are so often over looked, are special needs/disabled animals.
There are so many disabled animals in shelters and they are not given the chance they deserve to leave the shelter and have a life with a family. That is all that they want. They also want to be loved and give love. They want to cuddle with someone and feel the love that they have never felt before.
They may be blind, missing a leg or partially paralyzed or maybe they are a senior dog. All of these special needs do not necessarily have to be a burden. These dogs can still lead happy active lives. It just takes a little extra love and care and learning on your part and the dog’s part how to deal with their particular disability.
There are many training programs and Animal Rescue organizations that are willing to help you with your special needs fur baby. They will teach you how to walk a blind dog and how easy it is for a blind dog to get around. They will teach you how to put a partially paralyzed dog in a rolling cart and how easy it is for them to get around once they are in it. They can play and run, just like any other dog.
So before you pass up that little special needs dog at the shelter, stop and look again. They may look terrified or unsocial or maybe just sitting in a corner all alone. They are so often passed up and they are not aware of how to react to people . These are the most innocent of souls and have never had the love and attention of a person so they appear scared and unsocial.
Don’t pass them up, they so often make the best pets because they are so grateful to have this chance at life and love . I know this from personal experience as I adopted a senior dog that is blind and she is the best friend and best companion. And I have to admit, I almost passed her up for a puppy but took a second look and I thank God that I did.
Dopey is at the Apache Junction Animal Control Shelter in Pen 14. Dopey desperately needs a Rescue that is willing to work with his issues and rehabilitate him, to step up for him or an adopter with no other dogs that is willing to do the same. If you think you can give Dopey a loving home and show him there is much more to life than a cold cage, please contact them and adopt him. He is waiting for you to give you so much unconditional love. Apache Junction Animal Control is located at 725 East Baseline Road Apache Junction, AZ 85119 (480) 983-4405
November 19, 2012 UPDATE: Paw It Forward Rescue did an evaluation of Dopey this morning, and plans to pull him tomorrow and will be placed with a trained foster that will work with his issues. We will keep this post as updated as possible with the progress. Thank you to Apache Junction Animal Control and to the Rescues that took the time to evaluate Dopey and a special thanks to Paw it Forward Rescue for stepping up in a big way for this boy!!!!
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