Charles was adopted on October 15, 2008. He was adopted from Cocker Spaniel Resources, Inc. a 501(c)(3) public charity. Charles now lives in Coon Rapids MN. I have attached a picture of Laura and Charles. Note: He wears sunglasses just to prove he is blind.
WHAT COLOR IS LOVE?
“Black dogs don’t get adopted,” thus black dog rescues exist, which specialize in caring for black dogs. We had not one, but 3 black cocker spaniels, which came into our rescue this autumn and each has found its perfect fur-ever home. Not so unusual you might say, but the reality is all three of these black cocker spaniels are blind and Charles is both blind and deaf.
Charles, larger black cocker spaniel, spent a few months in a shelter after he was found wandering the streets in a small west central town in Wisconsin. He was black, blind, deaf, and covered with skin infections.
He lay in the kennel not knowing which way he was facing and no one even slightly considered him for adoption. He became so depressed in his kennel that he would cry and whine for some reassurance that he wasn’t alone. The staff would walk him outdoors so he could lie in the sun. He enjoyed the sun’s warmth on his body. Uncertain where he was and why he was there, depression set in severely with Charles. He began to cry and whine constantly.
Cocker Spaniel Resources, a cocker rescue, was contacted about taking him. As soon as his picture went up on the website one of the foster families inquired about caring for Charles. He required daily baths with prescription shampoo, his ears needed cleaning daily and so did his eyes.
He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he had his left eye removed to eliminate the pain he was enduring. Laura, Charles’ new foster Mom, thought of ways to help Charles find is way around in their home. She put different potpourri scents in different rooms in the house. Charles always knows where he is now and has stopped being fearful of being alone.
Tom, Charles’ foster Dad, jogs with Charles when the weather is appropriate for him to go jogging. Anyone driving past on the street would never realize that Charles is blind and deaf as he jogs along with his new master.
Charles is extremely happy with his two cocker spaniel brothers and his home where he knows he is safe. He still loves to lie in the sun, but no more whining and crying for Charles.
Black, blind and deaf dogs can find perfect homes; Charles is living proof.
Submitted by: Jan DeCraene Cocker Spaniel Resources, Inc. PO Box 822, Hudson WI 54016-0822 (715)222-9532
Moochie: Adopted 10/26/08 from Bideawee, Manhattan.
Though Moochie’s ears are marred by scars, suggesting a history of back-alley brawls, he truly is a handsome black male cat. Considering that he had roughed it on the streets for at least a little while, his extremely affectionate nature seemed a bit strange but made him that much more charming. It was probably during those fights with other tomcats that Moochie contracted FIV.
A lucky one, he narrowly escaped euthanasia at Animal Care and Control when he was transferred last April to Bideawee, the no-kill shelter I have been with for over three years. Placing FIV-positive cats is not easy, and I still think back on the day that Moochie went to his forever home with pride.
As the Adoption Outreach Coordinator, part of my job is to reach out to the public in hopes of finding the best match for each animal. A special case like Moochie’s would clearly require some effort, so I created a flyer that volunteers posted around the city. I placed his ad on several special needs websites and even sent it to HIV support centers. His video was loaded onto our YouTube channel, and yet months passed with little interest. I realized these measures simply were not aggressive enough to find that special family willing to adopt an FIV-positive cat.
I thought, what makes this particular kitty exceptional? My co-worker gets all the credit here. Jessica discovered that not only does Moochie cooperate on a harness and leash, but even better, he doesn’t mind playing dress-up. Jessica dolled him up in an argyle sweater with a bright gold and silver pattern, and immediately he stuck out like a sore thumb.
Harness, leash, and sweater on hand, Moochie and I attended an all-day adoption event where he was content to walk at my side or be carried about like a baby. I introduced him to countless strangers. Lots of folks inquired, but as soon as they heard about his FIV, they would wish us luck and excuse themselves.
As the event began to wind down, a young woman named Lydia asked to meet Moochie. A volunteer with the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s animals, she had seen us walking around earlier that day. When I gave Lydia the FIV spiel, I saw uncertainty in her eyes. But I had a good feeling about Lydia. I was sure it was love at first sight. She left with a business card and a few longing looks back.
A few days later, we received the call. Lydia had taken the time to do some research and consider the responsibilities of caring for an FIV-positive cat. She had called to say that she was ready to bring Moochie home!
Regardless of any “unadoptable” traits an animal may have, I believe there is someone out there for each and every one. Some may consider a situation like Moochie’s and proclaim, “No one is going to adopt THAT one.” This type of defeatist attitude not only underestimates the public and their love for pets, but it also sabotages any chance that animal may have had with our support. After all, if the professionals are unwilling to give an animal a fair shot, why should anyone? We joined this field to help animals, not to sentence them to a bleak future.
With challenging cases such as Moochie’s, creativity, determination, and hope are essential. Indeed, it can mean the difference between life and death for those creatures at our mercy that may be imperfect, but are deserving nonetheless.
Audrey Fisher
Adoption Outreach Coordinator
Bideawee.org
Audrey.fisher@bideawee.org
212.532.4455
