Miss-Delectable
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http://www.desertdispatch.com/2006/115357906260420.html
Three weeks ago, a white and tan dog arrived at the Barstow Humane Society. The 1-year-old Australian Shepherd mix had a disposition that earned him the name Cupid.
But it looked bleak for the pup who didn’t respond to sounds and whose eyes were red and squinty. Cupid turned out to be both blind and deaf, and for most dogs that arrive at the shelter with disabilities such as these, an adoptive family is difficult to find. After a minimum of five days, most are euthanized due to space problems and the likelihood that they will never be adopted at all.
“Normally, he would have been put to sleep a long time ago, but he’s so sweet,” said Ashlee Ryan, an employee at the shelter.
Those working at the Humane Society have not given up yet on the little dog, who they said can see slight shadows and can hear some highpitched noises. Many lightcolored Australian Shepherds are known to have problems with their eyesight and hearing, and employees at the shelter do not believe Cupid’s disabilities are due to any serious trauma.
Ryan also said that given an owner with the means, the dog could get surgery on his eyes, which would allow him to see a little better.
“If he was picked up as a stray and he has made it this far, he deserves a chance,” said Michelle Lortie-McClure, who met the little dog at PetSmart last weekend with other Humane Society dogs. However, Lortie-McClure was unable to adopt Cupid. “What got me with him was just his sweetness. Even though he couldn’t hear anything or see anything he was just so happy.”
Lortie-McClure said she hopes that the dog will find a home, perhaps where the owner has another dog that Cupid could follow by scent.
“He’ll walk closer to other dogs because he trusts the dog’s senses more,” Ryan said.
Ryan said the dog is good with children and that she believes he was abandoned by those the family that raised him.
“He did not get this big on his own,” she said. “Somebody had him until they got tired of him and kicked him to the curb.”
Although the people at the shelter love Cupid, he’s already been there three weeks — much longer than the standard five days that most dogs like Cupid would get. Time could be running out for Cupid.
“We’re going to hold onto him for as long as possible,” Ryan said.
If you would like to adopt Cupid or another dog or a cat from the shelter, please visit the Barstow Humane Society at 2480 E. Main Street, or call the shelter for information at (760) 252-4800.
Three weeks ago, a white and tan dog arrived at the Barstow Humane Society. The 1-year-old Australian Shepherd mix had a disposition that earned him the name Cupid.
But it looked bleak for the pup who didn’t respond to sounds and whose eyes were red and squinty. Cupid turned out to be both blind and deaf, and for most dogs that arrive at the shelter with disabilities such as these, an adoptive family is difficult to find. After a minimum of five days, most are euthanized due to space problems and the likelihood that they will never be adopted at all.
“Normally, he would have been put to sleep a long time ago, but he’s so sweet,” said Ashlee Ryan, an employee at the shelter.
Those working at the Humane Society have not given up yet on the little dog, who they said can see slight shadows and can hear some highpitched noises. Many lightcolored Australian Shepherds are known to have problems with their eyesight and hearing, and employees at the shelter do not believe Cupid’s disabilities are due to any serious trauma.
Ryan also said that given an owner with the means, the dog could get surgery on his eyes, which would allow him to see a little better.
“If he was picked up as a stray and he has made it this far, he deserves a chance,” said Michelle Lortie-McClure, who met the little dog at PetSmart last weekend with other Humane Society dogs. However, Lortie-McClure was unable to adopt Cupid. “What got me with him was just his sweetness. Even though he couldn’t hear anything or see anything he was just so happy.”
Lortie-McClure said she hopes that the dog will find a home, perhaps where the owner has another dog that Cupid could follow by scent.
“He’ll walk closer to other dogs because he trusts the dog’s senses more,” Ryan said.
Ryan said the dog is good with children and that she believes he was abandoned by those the family that raised him.
“He did not get this big on his own,” she said. “Somebody had him until they got tired of him and kicked him to the curb.”
Although the people at the shelter love Cupid, he’s already been there three weeks — much longer than the standard five days that most dogs like Cupid would get. Time could be running out for Cupid.
“We’re going to hold onto him for as long as possible,” Ryan said.
If you would like to adopt Cupid or another dog or a cat from the shelter, please visit the Barstow Humane Society at 2480 E. Main Street, or call the shelter for information at (760) 252-4800.