A Dazzle/Darcy update

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dufournf4

Forums Regular
In October, my husband and I adopted a senior sheltie from a local rescue group. She had been abandoned in a foreclosed home :cry: The rescue group believed she was around 10 years old, but after a few vet visits it was determined she was probably closer to 13 years old.

She is most definitely mostly deaf as result of chronic ear infections her whole life, but she does a really good job of making you think she's not. (even the rescue group was fooled) She's a sly old girl!

We love love love love (can I type 'love' some more) her! But it's definitely an adjustment having a deaf dog we didn't think at first was deaf (we thought she might just be stubborn...). She doesn't wake up when we walk in the front door, even though she's sleeping right next to it!

But she plays with our puppy just like she was a young dog, and begs to come on the couch during evening TV time. She does the 'chin rest-y' thing, as my DH and I call it to ask to come up on the couch, and it's just so cute.

For all those with older rescue shelties, doesn't it make you wonder what they went through in their former lives with their former owners? Like what they used to do to get their way? Or how they used to sneak around and get what they want (i.e the moment we leave the bathroom door open Darcy's out for tissues to tear apart).
 
I do often wonder what my Baxter's former life was like. I do know that he came from a home with at least one child. Even if I hadn't been told that I would suspect because he adores children especially 10-14 year old girls. I also have copies of e-mails from his former owners to the rescue and know that they agonized over the decision to give him up. He's a sweet dog and we love him but it does make me sad to think that a family is missing their dog.
 
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So glad to hear that Darcy is doing so well!

We've had our rescue Toby for not quite 3 months and I often wonder about his background. I know he used to live with a family in an apartment and was never walked. Before that he came from a puppy mill.

As a result of his lack of socialization, he has anxiety that I've had difficulty helping him with. He's very afraid of metallic noises and the sound of trucks and I wonder if it comes from him being shipped over the US/Canadian border. But some how he's wonderful with people, kids and dogs.

The longer we have him the more behaviors we see come out. He steals wood chips out of our faux plant and tissues out of the garbage, then looks completely devastated when he gets in trouble. I caught him disemboweling Sadie's teddy bear and had trouble being stern with the mournful look he gave me.

He uses the sad eyes to his full advantage whenever he's been bad or when he wants on the furniture.

I've never seen such a cuddly dog before, he is happy to lie cuddled up to you for hours and his eyes roll back in his head in bliss every time he's touched.

He's been an absolute joy to us, we can't imagine life without him!
 
Sounds like your baby found the perfect home... It always makes me so happy when people open their homes to seniors! Sometimes it's a difficult thing to do, but in the end, its so worth it.

I often wonder about our senior rescue and what she went through. It's odd to see a dog so trusting and loving of humans even though she was dramatically underweight and had broken bones indicative of heavy kicking or being hit by a car. I cannot thank her enough for opening her heart to people even though they so obviously never returned the favor.

Have you noticed any difficulties stemming from having a deaf dog or are things pretty much as normal? We've noticed Sada's hearing is limited, so I taught her hand signals. Too bad her eyesight is fading too! This could be interesting.
 
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