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An eight-week-old deaf and blind puppy has a happy ending after she was adopted – and welcomed with open paws by an older dog willing to show her the ropes. Feb. 20, 2017. (Courtesy Victoria Humane Society)
Under different circumstances, Moxie might not have been alive for more than a few weeks.
But the eight-week-old deaf and blind puppy has a happy ending after she was adopted this weekend – and welcomed with open paws by an older dog willing to show her the ropes.
The border collie-Australian shepherd cross came into the care of the Victoria Humane Society after a breeder surrendered her to a rescue in the B.C. Interior.
“She came to us from another rescue that didn’t have the ability to handle her,” said Penny Stone, executive director of VHS. “Rescues knew we’ve worked with these dogs before. We kind of know about these kinds of dogs and how they need to be taken care of.”
Moxie is a double merle dog, meaning she was bred irresponsibly to have a specific type of coat pattern, and ended up being born deaf and blind as a result.
“They used to euthanize these puppies the moment they were born,” said Stone. “It’s sad that the breeders still do this. When you do it, the coat colours and characteristics are so stunning, but you’re putting animals at risk.”
While the society has rehomed dogs like Moxie before, Stone said they knew this puppy was something special as soon as they met her – but there were also concerns about her welfare and well-being.
When Moxie arrived at VHS, a fresh coat of snow had fallen on Vancouver Island and Stone was concerned it would erase any scents on the property that would help the dog find her way.
“Because there were no other smells she followed me around the whole property – she could smell my rubber boots. She takes care of herself,” said Stone. “Her temperament is amazing. She’s just a happy, bubbly little thing, and you want to see her go to the right home.”
What the society really wanted was to find Moxie a home with another dog that could provide her support and comfort.
While almost 100 applications came in for the puppy, which has a pure white coat and distinct eyes, only four were deemed suitable homes.
But when they visited the final home, a family with an adult rough collie named Macy, the dog’s reaction to Moxie clinched it for Stone.
“When most dogs meet Moxie they’ll come up to her and they’ll back away, and she’ll try to come forward to them and they’re a little bit nervous,” she said.
“The moment we walked in Macy went right up to her, was licking her, and it was almost like you could see Moxie smile right away. She put her body right into her like you’re my buddy, you’re my friend, you’re my mom. I started crying. I just knew this was where she needed to be.”
The adoption was finalized and Moxie was instantly welcomed into her new home.
Her owners, recognizing the wave of support directed toward Facebook posts trying to find the puppy a home, have started her own page so that the public can follow Moxie’s journey as she grows up.
They’re also using it as a platform to warn dog lovers against the dangers of irresponsible breeding.
“While we think she is perfect, the reality is that many double merle dogs are killed by breeders at birth. They have no value to the breeders because they can't sell them, or they are sold off and their families are not told about their challenges. Moxie's page wants to educate people about this heartbreaking reality,” they wrote.
Other posts show Moxie cuddling up to her new friend Macy, who has fallen into her motherly role naturally.
While every successful rehoming is important, Stone said it’s even more satisfying when they can find disabled dogs loving, responsible homes.
“They’re all touching, but they're the ones that need you so badly to make sure you do this right,” she said. “And we know we did this right.”
http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/blind-and-deaf-puppy-finds-new-home-big-sister-dog-1.3293593
