You wouldn’t expect an old, blind, deaf, lame dog to have much of a sense of joy would you? But...you haven’t met Ernesto.

Two years ago Ernesto, found wandering in a Walmart parking lot, was picked up by Animal Control and taken to a shelter. Old Dog Haven (Arlington, Washington) was asked to take him because of his age and Ernesto was welcomed into the home of Trisha Lovgren as an Old Dog Haven Final Refuge dog.

Ernesto isn’t disabled; he’s differently abled. Even though he can’t see, hear and is lame, he’s a happy, well adjusted dog that lives with people who love him and who are continually impressed by his determination, sense of humor and lightness of spirit.

When Trish talks about Ernesto you can hear the smile in her voice: “He amazes me. He’s happy as can be, always seems to know where he is and how to get from one place to another, and he always knows where the action is. He does a great imitation of a vacuum cleaner as he slides across the carpet with his face turned sideways pressed against the floor. Ernesto is a brave, tough pup with a heart of gold. He loves to be snuggled, to have his belly rubbed, to sneak into my bed at night, and to steal his doggie brothers and sisters’ food when I’m not looking. He’s also quite the tug-of-war player.”

Ernesto is a wonderful teacher. Trish says, “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t honor the fact that I am so lucky to have him in my life. I always think to myself when I’m going through one of life’s struggles/mini-crises, ‘If Ernesto can adapt, then I can too.’”

Ardeth De Vries

Old Dog Haven