Blind Pooch Gets its Own Seeing-Eye-Dog
- Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:33pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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It’s probably a lesson in how looks can be deceiving.
When you see 6-year-old Chihuahua mix Scarlet, you probably don‘t automatically think she’s a candidate to be a seeing-eye dog. But not only is she a candidate, she actually is one. Not for a human companion, but for her fellow pooch, Rhette.
KRQE explains:
Lucky Paws Animal Adoption Counselor William Pierson said Scarlet is a guide dog for her Rhette, 6, a miniature pinscher.
“As far as we know he cannot see anything,” Pierson said.
The pair was brought to Lucky Paws earlier this week. Their owner was moving and said she couldn’t take them.
While they’re not biological siblings their paperwork states they are brother and sister and must be adopted out together. Pierson said their bond is thicker than blood.
“He relies on her eyes basically to get around,” Pierson said. “She wears a collar with a bell on it he basically follows her by the sound of the bell.”
Pierson said the sound of the bell helps Rhette get through the day. Even a simple task of walking through an open door can be a challenge.
“Playing and going outside to the bathroom, finding the food dish and that kind of thing,” Pierson said. “If they were to be split up, he would have to start the process all over again basically, and maybe it wouldn’t work.”
The dogs’ story is apparently quite compelling. KRQE’s piece was supposed to drum up adoption inquiries and it was successful. The news outlet posted this update:
The phones were ringing off the hook at the animal adoption center Friday morning, but when the doors opened, a nurse waiting outside stepped in and adopted Rhett and Scarlet. The nurse told shelter officials she previously had a miniature pinscher who was blind, so she knew how to work with Rhett’s condition.
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Steel Awesome
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:53amBlind dogs are quite remarkable in their ability to overcome their lack of sight.
Report Post »cnerd
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 10:32amWe had to put our last dog to sleep two days ago, and are missing he terribly. Glad the Blaze can open up to these stories.
Report Post »charmingtail
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:18amI have 4 chihuhuas thy are such great care givers to each other..GREAT STORY!!!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 7:16amaww how sweet
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:20amAnd another thing I wanted to thank the Blaze for the eagle story I have been hooked on UStream live and been watching the eagles since last Sunday got to see the third egg hatch it is awesome.I also am watching puppy Mastiffs all ten of them I had a Mastiff that passed Jan 8,2010 he was seven years old but I at one time had five different dogs and they have all made my life so happy and left such heartwarming memories.Heidi was my mothers dog till I brought her home with me when mom passed in 2007 she was her little blessing and is ours now Heidi is a miniture doxy 12 years old and in great health.I also had cats in my life and they all got along it just depends on how you work with them but never had any problems with any of them Tigger was my last cat that passed in 2007 he was 18 years old I adopted him from the shelter when he was eight weeks old and a wonderful pet.So now I’m hooked on USTREAM thanks for sharing it with us.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 7:16pmI had to unplug my laptop and take it with me so I could see the eagles and babies. Didn’t want to miss a moment they moved or turned around or fed the chicks.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:08amMy Heidipooh is blind and she gets around by herself and yes we took some precautions around the house with padding since she doesn‘t blink we don’t want her to poke an eye out but she uses her nose and ears to go out thru the doggy door to the yard and she does her business and finds her way back in.At night she‘ll wake up and go just outside the screened patio she won’t go down to the lawn which we’re ok with since an owl try to get once.If you saw her playing around the house you wouldn’t know she was blind unless I move something around or if she gets to excited she sometimes will walk inot the wall or a piece of padded furniture other then that she does great.So know seeing eye dog for her.I think we are getting worse about the animals are being made to be like humans yes they are part of our family but they are DOGS and should be loved and cared for but not consume our lives.GOD put us over the animals and the earth not the other way around.But if that’s what someone wants to do more power to them.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:23amSweet story!
Report Post »suran
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:48amThis isn’t fluff; it is compassion. Thank God there is still some left in the world, and since I‘ve almost given up on human beings I’m grateful there is some hope still left.
Report Post »afflicted
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:51amWell said
Report Post »afflicted
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:38am@CATB
Report Post »Bo probably got tired of being the smartest one in the house and left.
CatB
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:50amNever trust someone who gets elected and THEN gets a dog (does not have one until in the White House) Carter (they actually RETURNED IT) Clinton (had socks the cat but got Buddy in the WH) Obama (Bo after moving in the WH).
http://presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1.htm
Report Post »afflicted
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:07amAny respite from Odumba and his traveling freak show is always welcome. Love it !
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:18amI agree ..and has anyone seen Bo lately? .. you know the 4 legged dog in the Obama household.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:05amJust one more reason why we are such a great nation! I love stories like this…humans understanding the needs of animals…there is an amazing world all around us…we just need to slow down, look around and listen…AND…you complainers need to knock it off…these stories add balance to our lives…we need it!
Report Post »G.W. Dobbs
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:04amI met an 8 week old dog today, half poodle and half malteese. I immediately fell in love with this puppy. Things are not convenient for me to buy her so I left her and a part of my heart and walked away. Thank you, LORD, for giving us your amazing creations.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:01amPavlovs dogs dog
Report Post »piper60
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:58pmEverytime I see a human interest story on the Blaze, I always see people complaining. Geeees. Lighten up a little, will ya?
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:03pmThis isn’t a fluff piece. This is a demonstration as to how people (and animals) can remedy their own issues without government.
I had a cat who was born blind. Lived a full life for 15 years without feeling disadvantaged. At 4 years old I had problems with her keeping the 10 year old cat treed on furniture. Her only real problem was as a kitten it took a week longer than her litter mates to remember where the cat pans were kept in the house.
If I would leave shoes in the middle of the floor she would stumble over them once. Then no matter the shoes were moved she would zig around them for the next month or two.
More than once I found her on top of the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. Stayed to watch. She got down just fine. Brave cat remembered how she got there and had to make two jumps down into empty space where she couldn’t feel or see where she was going.
Report Post »Canuck GB Fan
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:56pmCome on guys! This is a great positive story and if you love dogs its a heart warmer!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:19amBig heart warmer!
Had a choice between this one and the climate change story — picked this one. Gotta go back to watch the TX border.
Report Post »iwantmydamncountryback
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:53pmas a dog lover i like this story :)
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 3:08amme too……….
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:48pmGive the story to O’Donnell to cry over.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:04amYeah him and Boehner.
Report Post »Tmwatz
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:47pmCute!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:15amAwwww! I’d forgotten about the blind dog at the Canine Camp across the highway from where I lived in NC. When My aunt was dying, I had to leave Buckshot with them for about five days, until I got back from the funeral. The lady told me that my dog realized that the black poodle was blind and would either walk sort of behind Bucky, maintaining contact, or Bucky would “herd” the poodle in the direction she needed to go. The lady told me that the two stayed together the whole time I was gone. I was as proud of my little Bucky as though he were a kid at camp!
When I got back, I thought how glad we would be to see each other again. He gave me a look as if to ask, “Do I know you? Do I WANT to know you?” That night he slept under the bed. The second night, at the foot of the bed, and the third night he moved up and got under the covers again. I was finlly forgiven!
Dogs have feelings, too.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:28amShow
Love your story. Sweet,
Report Post »randy
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:41pmCome on Blaze. Enough with the puff pieces already, Please!
Report Post »piper60
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:56pmRandy, when the world is on fire, a little puffery is nice.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:05amWe had this posted on our Chihuahua rescue site earlier .. they needed a home .. I am so glad they found one!
Report Post »Mee the People
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:53amwe can learn a lot from dogs
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:55amPersonally I find that animals are MUCH better that most people I know. I love dogs, and have 4 that blessed me by living with us until they were called home to God. A friend found 3 Cats abandoned and brought them to home and into work, they were one day old, and had to be fed every 2 hrs around the clock for 7wks, I took over after a couple of days her mom was sent to hospital and she had to leave town so I brought the Kittens home,I took them around in a big rubbermaid tub, They went to work with me, to Drs.,Dentist, shopping,visiting and every place I went.My two dogs helped a beagle and bassett.I was only supposed to raise them the 7 wks because they had been promised to people. I could not give them up so I had to go find 3 more kittens to give away and I kept those.Both my dogs passed away and I still have the Kitty babies they will be 9 in may.
They are not normal though being raised by me and two dogs, they don’t make cat sounds, they are certainly not independent,or any of the things I have ever heard about Cats.They are more trouble and more DEPENDENT than any of my dogs.We have spent more than $20,000. on them with vet bills and special foods and medicines.This is the most expensive “free” gift I have ever had. lol I love all animals.
We took in a stray dog once and found out she was deaf.We already had a dog but she was fine.Lucy the hearing one would go get Dallas the deaf one and let her know it was time to come in.It is amazing how animals know things and adapt so much better than humans. All animals go to Heaven.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:12amDeep breath Randy! (Please)When I was in combat way back when: I kept pictures of my wife, my son & yeah – my cats. Just a little taste of normal….. Judge a people on how they treat the weakest among them.
If you see a headlime about animals – real cuddly animals not the Left – skip it. Simple enough. Me? I enjoy them.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 3:21amI love pets , sadly my cat was hit by a car last week , Freckles was a very smart & active cat .
Report Post »Now I’m down to 1 dog & 2 cats & they’re all rescue .
Affirmative Blaction
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 5:12amHahaha This is out of New Mexico, saw it on the news today. And that’s right, breaking oh my god news from commies, does not come in every minute, and even if it does I like a little cheap cherry for my sun-day, something to make me giggle other than the people at MSNBC.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 5:44am82D I knew you had to be an animal lover, You just seem too nice in your post not to be.Animal lovers are always good people. Lol I have already given Randy a heartattack. Some day I will tell you all about the collectable Coca-Cola Bottles that Coke let me do to raise money for the Humane Society.They have pictures of Lucy and Dallas my two dogs in a Coca-Cola wagon on front of the Bottle. I made little red collars with their name tags to go on the neck of the coke bottle and had a tag made in the shape of a bone. “Paws for a Coke” and their names. I sold them all over the world and cleared $12.000. with the first
Report Post »bottle. Made another with them and a cat on it and made $8000. all for the Cobb County Humane Society. I said Some day didn’t I ? I guess I went ahead and told most of it, LOL
sissykatz
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 7:13amRobert
Report Post »So sorry about your Kitty. You have my sympathy.
Bluebonnet
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:43amDarn it! I knew if I clicked on this story and read it, I’d cry. Yup, I did.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 10:19amDear Randy, since you are not the only one reading The Blaze, please allow those of us who enjoy “puff pieces” in this world of turmoil, to know there are still good people making the lives of people and animals better.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 11:22amROBERT, very sorry about your kitty. Heaven is waiting. SISSKATZ, great story about raising $ for your animal shelter. I rescued a family of 5 kittens from low income housing area and couldn’t give them up either. I have their aunt and 5 others from the same area (as you know total 19 & 1 dog). Also feed two more adults daily I didn’t dare bring home. 82ND, hope you are doing better today. ‘Bout time for SHOWTIME and CATB to join in. Can’t stay up as late as they do. Hope it warmed up for SNOW today.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:06pm@sissykatz: Love what you did. I’ve always have the dream, if I were lucky enough to win the big lottery, that I would use as much as necessary to build a wonderful animal shelter in my town. Can‘t think of anything else I’d enjoy as much as that.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:34pmBLUEBONNET, have the same dream. Great book called “The Cat’s House” by Bob Walker, that I would love to be able to do. He is a photographer and he and his wife have a number of cats, great pix and they have modified their home in fun ways.
Report Post »DaveChen
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 3:52pmI am encouraged to see the replies to Randy’s post. The replies chided him gently but made it clear that many of us like this kind of story once in a while. Many of the posts on these boards are so negative and hateful that it makes one wonder what most Americans are really like and yet no one was really discourteous to him. Maybe it’s because animal lovers are just nice people.
I enjoyed the story but I probably enjoyed the comments even more. The story, the response that the radio station got, and the comments restore my belief that people are basically pretty good after all. My wife and I live with two little poodles that we love very much and one of our daughters has a poodle who is gradually going blind and a Chihuahua. She has placed a bell on the Chihuahua so that the poodle will learn to follow while she still has some sight.
Dogs are especially good for children and old people – at 80, I fit in the latter group. When properly supervised, children can have a companion and learn responsibility. For old folks, it’s nice to have a companion who doesn’t complain and expresses unconditional love.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 3:54pmThanks for all of you .
Report Post »& SISSYKATZ Thank you for “Paws for a Coke”