Beth found the tiny pup injured by the highway. She and Dave cared enough to invest a couple hundred dollars in a Vet check. Then they needed to find a home for the little one. And so Peaches came to join our family. For several weeks her brain injury caused compulsive circling, partial blindness and deafness, and a dragging foreleg. She gradually improved, until now, a year later, she has become the happiest, busiest little dog I have ever known, and a welcome member of our 5 rescue dog "pack".
Her habitual circling has now become an endearing dance. When excited she hops and spins like a little furry dervish. Her perceptual problems usually don't cause difficulty, although she does have a tendency to get disoriented during our high desert back country walks, so I'm kept on my toes watching for her. She more then holds her own in "chase-n-wrassle" games, even with dogs much larger then she. Peaches is also the honorary "mom" to the new kitten.
Peaches is not the first "special needs" dog in our family. Some years ago I was blessed with the companionship of Ruckus, who spent the last half of his long life in blindness. Despite this, he was always an enthusiastic back country walker, getting along by listening for my footsteps, the bell on my walking stick, and occasional verbal warnings of obstacles.
As a lifelong adopter of rescue and "pound" dogs, I am here now to extol the joys of sharing your home with those with physical difficulties and special needs.
Bill R. Cedar Hill, New Mexico
Aztec, NM
