Miss-Delectable
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Special-needs pets deserve homes, too
People who open their homes to special-needs animals are very special people who adopt very special animals.
Homeless animals start with one strike against them: No one wants them. These are healthy, young and vibrant animals, and sometimes they languish in kennels for months before the perfect new family comes along.
The special-needs animals have more than one strike. Some are deaf, some have epilepsy, some are missing a limb ("tripod"), and some are blind. This doesn't mean they cannot make good companions; it simply means someone must dedicate a little extra time or money to help them along.
Bixley was one of those special-needs dogs. He was slated to be euthanized at another county shelter because he was deaf and deemed unadoptable.
Deborah Millman, executive director of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, took the call asking if we would be willing to take him and find him a home. "Of course," was her reply.
He is a solid white purebred American bulldog and is the cutest thing going. He made it to the radio, was featured in my blog and still had trouble finding a home.
Lots of people came in, lots of people put him on hold, and lots of people never came back for him. The last family brought their dogs in for an introduction which didn't work out well, had to wait for someone else who had put him on hold to not show up, and ask for a home visit with their resident dogs because they were so interested in him. No one knew how it would turn out.
Bixley can't hear, so a dog growling would have no impact on his playfulness, and he played rough. The HSSC behaviorist transported Bixley to what might turn out to be his new home. After one of the resident dogs showed Bixley what the pecking order had to be, Bixley began following him around and taking his lead.
Bixley spent the night in his new home last night, with a new family and new humans who understand his needs and the work it will take to keep him stimulated. This is an educational site with information about deaf dogs.
The HSSC does not discriminate against dogs for special needs, age or breed. It believes all animals can find a home; it just may take a while. If you have love in your heart and the patience it takes to work with a special-needs dog, please call 955-4131 because Angel is also deaf and is still waiting, and Carmen has epilepsy and needs a home.
People who open their homes to special-needs animals are very special people who adopt very special animals.
Homeless animals start with one strike against them: No one wants them. These are healthy, young and vibrant animals, and sometimes they languish in kennels for months before the perfect new family comes along.
The special-needs animals have more than one strike. Some are deaf, some have epilepsy, some are missing a limb ("tripod"), and some are blind. This doesn't mean they cannot make good companions; it simply means someone must dedicate a little extra time or money to help them along.
Bixley was one of those special-needs dogs. He was slated to be euthanized at another county shelter because he was deaf and deemed unadoptable.
Deborah Millman, executive director of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, took the call asking if we would be willing to take him and find him a home. "Of course," was her reply.
He is a solid white purebred American bulldog and is the cutest thing going. He made it to the radio, was featured in my blog and still had trouble finding a home.
Lots of people came in, lots of people put him on hold, and lots of people never came back for him. The last family brought their dogs in for an introduction which didn't work out well, had to wait for someone else who had put him on hold to not show up, and ask for a home visit with their resident dogs because they were so interested in him. No one knew how it would turn out.
Bixley can't hear, so a dog growling would have no impact on his playfulness, and he played rough. The HSSC behaviorist transported Bixley to what might turn out to be his new home. After one of the resident dogs showed Bixley what the pecking order had to be, Bixley began following him around and taking his lead.
Bixley spent the night in his new home last night, with a new family and new humans who understand his needs and the work it will take to keep him stimulated. This is an educational site with information about deaf dogs.
The HSSC does not discriminate against dogs for special needs, age or breed. It believes all animals can find a home; it just may take a while. If you have love in your heart and the patience it takes to work with a special-needs dog, please call 955-4131 because Angel is also deaf and is still waiting, and Carmen has epilepsy and needs a home.