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Where Hope Lives Heddie Leger relates the tale of abandoned deaf and blind dog Hope, who is now working as an educational program dog and as a spokesdog for shock-free and force-free training
© Heddie Leger
© Heddie Leger
© Heddie Leger
Abandoned deaf and blind dog Hope is now working as an educational program dog and as a spokesdog for shockfree and forcefree training
This article was first posted on the BARKS Blog (bit.ly/36mL071) and is a Runner‐Up in our PPG Writers’ Competition which invited entrants to submit an article on the topic of animal shelter and rescue.
H
ope comes in many ways, shapes and forms. Indeed, we are often encouraged in life to never give up hope. It was a rainy stormy day. A medium sized, white dog was spotted wandering the school yard going from door to door. Every once in while she could be seen sitting by a certain door. She did not appear frightened or scared and most folks thought she had just wandered from her home and was looking for a child in her family. After several hours passed, a kind woman went towards the dog and called out to her but the dog did not respond. She sat by the door of the school unresponsive, yet attentive to the smells on the other side of the door. The woman took mercy on the dog, fearing she would be hit by a vehicle as they came and went during a busy school day, and finally de cided to put her in her car. The dog went willingly and in a friendly man ner, putting up no resistance. She seemed relieved to be out of the rain and in a place with a human. The woman waited to see if anyone came to find the dog. She drove around the neighborhood to see if anyone was looking for a dog. She went back into the school to find out if any one had reported a lost dog. She went to the local authorities to see if anyone had called in regarding a lost dog. All the while, the dog lay on the floorboard of her vehicle never moving, sound asleep. Seemingly unaware of where she was or what was happening. As a last resort, after a day of searching, the woman took the dog to
the county shelter. The shelter was full, however. The animal control of ficer called a local veterinarian’s office to see if they could help. One kind veterinarian agreed to let the woman bring the dog to the office on a temporary hold until the shelter had an opening. The woman that found her was greatly relieved; as a busy mom with a household full of children and animals, she could not take on any more in her life. She took the dog to the veterinary office and shared her story as to how the dog was found. The next day the veterinarian had a few moments to give the dog a wellness check, look for a microchip and treat her for any needs she might have. She determined the dog to be about seven months, not spayed, healthy and heartworm negative. She also found the dog to be both blind and deaf. It was a miracle that she had even survived being on the streets without being hit by a vehicle.
Potential The veterinarian immediately called me as she knew of my background and experience with shelter dogs and working with dogs in general. She asked me if I had ever worked with a blind and deaf dog. It was her medical background that caused her to consider whether the dog should be humanely euthanized as it did not look as though a blind and deaf dog would readily be adopted, not to mention that she would need a very special home that could keep her safe and manage her accord
The woman waited to see if anyone came to find the dog. She drove around the neighborhood to see if anyone was looking for a dog. She went back into the school to find out if anyone had reported a lost dog. She went to the local authorities to see if anyone had called in regarding a lost dog. All the while, the dog lay on the floorboard of her vehicle never moving, sound asleep. Seemingly unaware of where she was or what was happening.
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BARKS from the Guild/July 2020
