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Deaf, Blind Pooch Reunited With Its Family | The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
When Christa Louden walked past a pet store window 15 years ago, a Pekingese puppy caught her eye and captured her heart forever.
Louden purchased the 10-week-old puppy naming it Nikki, and since that day the two have been inseparable. But on June 25 the family pet, which is deaf and nearly blind, wandered off.
‘‘I was working and my boyfriend let her out,’’ Louden said. ‘‘It was her normal routine and at 11 p.m., she wasn’t here. By12:30 a.m., I started looking and I couldn’t find her anywhere and stopped at 2:30 a.m.’’
A heartbroken Louden, along with children Wessly, 12, and Bristol, 4, made fliers seeking Nikki’s safe return. They also searched the area of their home, which is located near Elm Grove Elementary School.
‘‘Since she was 10 weeks old we have not been apart,’’ said Louden. ‘‘She used to go everywhere with us when she was younger. My family always says ‘if she could tell stories.’’’
As days passed, Louden worried more and more about the fate of Nikki, the small dog she has owned for so long. Without receiving her daily medications, the chances of Nikki’s survival grew slim.
Then a single ring of the telephone changed everything.
Josh Edwards, Louden’s 12-year-old neighbor, called to say he had spotted Nikki curled up in a ball in his yard. She had been missing for four days.
‘‘I was working out in the yard with my dad and brother and walked over to pick up a stool and saw something brown,’’ Edwards said. ‘‘I went over to see what it was, and it was Nikki. I was kind of sad and happy to find her.’’
When Louden and her children arrived to see Edwards’ discovery, they were cautious about whether they would receive the happy ending they had envisioned.
‘‘We went down in a car to Josh’s house, and Nikki was curled up in a ball and I didn’t think she was breathing,’’ said Wessly. ‘‘My mom saw the expression on my face and didn’t say anything.’’
Louden scooped up a stiff and trembling Nikki into her arms, immediately noticing signs of life. She transported her to Benwood Animal Hospital, where fluids and antibiotics were administered.
‘‘Her eyes were messed up and one was completely swollen shut,’’ Louden continued. ‘‘I think what happened was she just got disoriented and lost and wandered really far away from home.’’
Today, Nikki is at home resting comfortably and back to her normal routine of sleeping and receiving care from her favorite master, Louden.
“She’s always been my dog,’’ Louden said. ‘‘When she was a puppy, she looked like a little hair ball. She would bite at the glass when we walked by the pet store window. I was not even out to buy a dog that day, but I saw her and by the end of the day, I had a dog.’’
As for Edwards, Louden and her family couldn’t be more thankful for not only his efforts in searching for the dog and finding her, but also for his support to the family.
‘‘He’s my favorite kid on the street,’’ Louden said.
Taking every precaution to keep Nikki safe and happy, Louden offers this advice to dog owners: ‘‘Never let your old deaf and blind dog out of your sight. Nikki is grounded. She won’t go out by herself anymore. I never thought she would go that far.’’
When Christa Louden walked past a pet store window 15 years ago, a Pekingese puppy caught her eye and captured her heart forever.
Louden purchased the 10-week-old puppy naming it Nikki, and since that day the two have been inseparable. But on June 25 the family pet, which is deaf and nearly blind, wandered off.
‘‘I was working and my boyfriend let her out,’’ Louden said. ‘‘It was her normal routine and at 11 p.m., she wasn’t here. By12:30 a.m., I started looking and I couldn’t find her anywhere and stopped at 2:30 a.m.’’
A heartbroken Louden, along with children Wessly, 12, and Bristol, 4, made fliers seeking Nikki’s safe return. They also searched the area of their home, which is located near Elm Grove Elementary School.
‘‘Since she was 10 weeks old we have not been apart,’’ said Louden. ‘‘She used to go everywhere with us when she was younger. My family always says ‘if she could tell stories.’’’
As days passed, Louden worried more and more about the fate of Nikki, the small dog she has owned for so long. Without receiving her daily medications, the chances of Nikki’s survival grew slim.
Then a single ring of the telephone changed everything.
Josh Edwards, Louden’s 12-year-old neighbor, called to say he had spotted Nikki curled up in a ball in his yard. She had been missing for four days.
‘‘I was working out in the yard with my dad and brother and walked over to pick up a stool and saw something brown,’’ Edwards said. ‘‘I went over to see what it was, and it was Nikki. I was kind of sad and happy to find her.’’
When Louden and her children arrived to see Edwards’ discovery, they were cautious about whether they would receive the happy ending they had envisioned.
‘‘We went down in a car to Josh’s house, and Nikki was curled up in a ball and I didn’t think she was breathing,’’ said Wessly. ‘‘My mom saw the expression on my face and didn’t say anything.’’
Louden scooped up a stiff and trembling Nikki into her arms, immediately noticing signs of life. She transported her to Benwood Animal Hospital, where fluids and antibiotics were administered.
‘‘Her eyes were messed up and one was completely swollen shut,’’ Louden continued. ‘‘I think what happened was she just got disoriented and lost and wandered really far away from home.’’
Today, Nikki is at home resting comfortably and back to her normal routine of sleeping and receiving care from her favorite master, Louden.
“She’s always been my dog,’’ Louden said. ‘‘When she was a puppy, she looked like a little hair ball. She would bite at the glass when we walked by the pet store window. I was not even out to buy a dog that day, but I saw her and by the end of the day, I had a dog.’’
As for Edwards, Louden and her family couldn’t be more thankful for not only his efforts in searching for the dog and finding her, but also for his support to the family.
‘‘He’s my favorite kid on the street,’’ Louden said.
Taking every precaution to keep Nikki safe and happy, Louden offers this advice to dog owners: ‘‘Never let your old deaf and blind dog out of your sight. Nikki is grounded. She won’t go out by herself anymore. I never thought she would go that far.’’
