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Blind, deaf Aussie pup at Pet Expo this weekend | cooper, lifeline, animal - News - The Orange County Register
Cooper, a blind and deaf Australian shepherd rescued by a local animal charity group, has started to use his sense of smell to navigate his surroundings.
The 4-month-old shepherd will be at the OC Pet Expo from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sunday. His trainer, Tim Welch, and a volunteer from Lifeline Animal Rescue will be there to talk about him and his progress. Cooper will be in booth 104. Lifeline will also have other adoptable pups at their booth 810. The exposition is held at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds.
Cooper was first in the news a week ago after the Lake Forest-based animal group rescued the red merle puppy hours before he was to be euthanized in San Bernardino County. Lifeline was contacted by an animal control officer who sent out Facebook posts and emails saying that Cooper was scheduled to be put down because of his handicap, said Francine Shute, the rescue group's vice president.
Shute believes that Cooper is a product of uneducated backyard breeding of two merle Australian shepherds – a combo known to produce a lethal white. Lethal whites, or double merles, as they are also called, almost always turn out blind and deaf.
Lifeline has rescued a number of pedigree dogs – such as boxers, Chihuahuas, toy poodles and a miniature pinscher – from shelters. Many of these purebred dogs are the product of irresponsible and uneducated breeding. Many of them suffer deformities and handicaps like Cooper.
The rescue group hired Welch, who has trained service dogs, to give Cooper a chance. Welch has been using a remote-controlled collar to help the dog understand simple commands. Cooper lives with Welch in Long Beach for his training. He will require about two to three months of training before he can be adopted.
Lifeline is looking for a home for Cooper. The ideal candidate would be someone familiar with his handicap, or if not familiar, very patient so he will become comfortable with his training and learned responses. The person who adopts Cooper would also ideally not have small children who could leave doors open and let him run out, Shute said.
Thanks to Register readers, Lifeline has raised $800 to help with Cooper's training. The group is trying to raise $4,000. The charity is also looking for foster homes and volunteers. Foster homes take care of the animal and Lifeline provides all the necessary food and medical help.
Cooper, a blind and deaf Australian shepherd rescued by a local animal charity group, has started to use his sense of smell to navigate his surroundings.
The 4-month-old shepherd will be at the OC Pet Expo from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sunday. His trainer, Tim Welch, and a volunteer from Lifeline Animal Rescue will be there to talk about him and his progress. Cooper will be in booth 104. Lifeline will also have other adoptable pups at their booth 810. The exposition is held at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds.
Cooper was first in the news a week ago after the Lake Forest-based animal group rescued the red merle puppy hours before he was to be euthanized in San Bernardino County. Lifeline was contacted by an animal control officer who sent out Facebook posts and emails saying that Cooper was scheduled to be put down because of his handicap, said Francine Shute, the rescue group's vice president.
Shute believes that Cooper is a product of uneducated backyard breeding of two merle Australian shepherds – a combo known to produce a lethal white. Lethal whites, or double merles, as they are also called, almost always turn out blind and deaf.
Lifeline has rescued a number of pedigree dogs – such as boxers, Chihuahuas, toy poodles and a miniature pinscher – from shelters. Many of these purebred dogs are the product of irresponsible and uneducated breeding. Many of them suffer deformities and handicaps like Cooper.
The rescue group hired Welch, who has trained service dogs, to give Cooper a chance. Welch has been using a remote-controlled collar to help the dog understand simple commands. Cooper lives with Welch in Long Beach for his training. He will require about two to three months of training before he can be adopted.
Lifeline is looking for a home for Cooper. The ideal candidate would be someone familiar with his handicap, or if not familiar, very patient so he will become comfortable with his training and learned responses. The person who adopts Cooper would also ideally not have small children who could leave doors open and let him run out, Shute said.
Thanks to Register readers, Lifeline has raised $800 to help with Cooper's training. The group is trying to raise $4,000. The charity is also looking for foster homes and volunteers. Foster homes take care of the animal and Lifeline provides all the necessary food and medical help.