♥Never, ever let anyone give up on a dog, don't anyone dare give up♥

Mimi's note: As a former owner of a blind dog adopted from a local shelter at the age of about 5 years (now at the Bridge waiting for me) I can tell you that without a doubt blindness has nothing to do with the ability and capability of a dog. I brought Prince into a home with two other dogs. He made friends, learned where each room was, learned how to get up my steps and learned how not to run into the fence in my yard. Prince was loving and kind and sweet and taught me more about acceptance of circumstances more than any human being.

The story below was shared/reported on the web at the site of the book, A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Once thought to be un-adoptable, Stevie the blind dog now assists search and rescue as a cadavar dog--and senses on-coming migraines so his person can take preventative medication.

Stevie is Dog of the Week 8/6/10 - 8/13/10 on A Dog's Purpose

Stevie was born in a breeding kennel in Georgia the summer of 2008 as an English Cocker field dog. It was not known to his breeder that Stevie was born blind, the story later told was that his mother got very sick during her pregnancy due to eating bad dog food and all of the puppies had some health issues. Stevie was sold to his new owners and after having him a short time realized he seemed to have trouble seeing, his eyes were checked by a vet and confirmed he was indeed blind. His owners contacted his breeder who said “well you can bring him back but I will put him to sleep he is useless to me” They didn’t want to return him but did take him to their vet to be put down. In rural Georgia where he lived a very small rescue group heard about him and a wonderful lady named Luci went to get the 12 week old blind liver Cocker. Luci realized that in her community she had no foster homes that would take on such a puppy. So she searched the internet and found the English Cocker Club of America website and contacted them for help. We indeed helped, so word went out for a foster home. Living in Florida and willing to take a foster in need my husband and I volunteered and so arrangements were made for Luci to drive half way and we would drive halfway and we would meet up to transfer the little liver blind puppy in need.

When I first met Stevie he was as normal as any dog could be, happy and playful. When he got to our home he ran with the other dogs occasionally running into things but seemed to me that he must see a little as he was very fearless. He had so much energy. Well 3 months later and no new home was found so he stayed with us. Then in December 2009 a new Foster home was a possibility with a family in St. Petersburg Florida which was just across the bay from where I lived. Marina was a vet tech, owned an older English Cocker and she and her husband fostered a larger breed as well, she also had experience as a dog trainer. So it seemed like a perfect fit. Well making a long story short Marina took him and soon fell in love with him and adopted him into her family. She keeps in touch with me sending photos of Stevie and telling me how much she loves and adores him.

Recently Marina was so proud when little Blind Stevie completed training and became a Certified Cadaver Dog. She also told me that with no training Stevie will come to warn her when she has a migraine headache coming on just in time to take medications. Evidently he continues to paw at her while in her lap. She said at first she couldn’t figure out what he wanted but soon realized shortly after she got a tremendous migraine.

Marina is a native of Spain and due to her husbands job change will be moving to the Virgin Islands and Stevie is going to of course. He is now in Barcelona Spain with her and her children visiting family. I would say little “Stevie Wonder” is indeed a Wonder Dog in his own rights.

Rescue groups like the ECSCA make it possible for dogs like Stevie to have a new beginning. It can be hard being a foster parent to these dogs but when the outcome is like his there is no better feeling in the world knowing you made a difference in this one. When I first started fostering my husband asked me if I had ever heard the story of the little boy and the starfish. There was a little boy on the beach with hundreds of starfish washed up due to a storm, the child walked and picked up one at a time and tossed them back into the water, a man watching said why are you doing that? You can't make a difference, his reply as he tossed one in the water “Well it made a difference to that one” I guess that sums it up. Stevie was one of the lucky ones and I am so thrilled we saved that one.

We recently took a new foster, he is an 8 year old blind Cocker that was in a kill shelter.  We don’t expect he will be another Stevie but maybe he can give someone joy in their life even though he can’t see them.