Neglected Deaf, Blind Dog Finds Happy Home in His Senior Years

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

On Facebook, a woman was trying to adopt out four dogs for a "friend." I called Sunday and three were already adopted. An 11-year-old Maltese no one wanted due to age was going to the shelter in the morning to be put down. I went that afternoon to look at the dog and took him to keep from being put down just for being old.

As it turned out, the dog was totally deaf. Almost completely blind. Had no idea what the two little toys she said were his "favorites" were for. He did not understand play or petting/affection. The vet said some of his teeth were missing, some decaying. Both ears severely infected.

DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / PEZIBEAR

Apparently the dog had been kenneled without much human contact. Completely apathetic. No interest in receiving affection. We persevered. It has been a year. We have found that he can see directly in front of him from about 1-2 feet in bright light. He has just now started to play for just a couple minutes, but it's growing. He likes getting rub downs. He shows appreciation with baby cooing sounds. He runs everywhere, even from the kitchen to the living room just because he can.

He makes sure we don't forget his evening walks. We built a ramp so he doesn't have to maneuver the steps in the dark out the pet door to the yard. He loves to bark. My husband interprets for him, "I am still here you jerks. This is MY yard I am protecting. MY yard. Hear me roar."

One year in, and he is now showing affection by laying his head against us and cooing when we pet him.

PHOTO: KATHY TENN

I was telling a friend I was disappointed at first that Lil Bug didn't return affection to us but so was glad we got him anyway. It took a little longer for him to realize that after his lifetime experience, he was loved, safe, and free to roam. Now he is so funny, joyful, loving and will be able to live out the rest of his life sleeping on his red velvet cushion.

Story submitted by Kathy Tenn from Hoover, Alabama.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!