I don't proofread my posts before I publish them... cause I keep my thoughts au naturale.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Reasons to Rescue: Keller

I previously posted my first installment of Reasons to Rescue awhile back and of course I intend to include all my current rescues, but I just had to post one about my most recent rescue, Keller.  As some of you know, I am involved with PNC Midwest Rescue.  We are most involved with the rescuing, fostering and adoptions of the Pekingese and Japanese Chin breeds (Tibetan Spaniels when they come around), but also rescue the small fluffy breeds when needed.  Many of the dogs that come into our group come from kill shelters, owner surrenders, hoarding situations and puppy mills. 

Keller, Dec. 7, 2016- the day he was sprung!
Keller came to the group when someone alerted us to a Pekingese at an Iowa no-kill shelter that was blind and a senior- neither are a combination that made him likely to get adopted from a shelter.  He was found as a stray wandering the streets in a large town- BLIND.  His owner never came forward and he had been at the shelter for about a month.   I was recruited to pick this guy up and we were supposed to have an immediate foster lined up for him, but she backed out.  After having him for only 24 hours, I offered to foster him (I have a soft spot for seniors and special needs dogs).  He quickly started to grow on me and was not receiving interest from our available dogs lists.  I soon started to realize that I wasn't sure I would be able to part with him when the time came for him to be adopted.  I decided to keep him.  And here's why he's so great:

Despite being blind, Keller is extremely capable of having a great life.  It only took him about two days to feel out the layout of our house and yard.  He can do steps in our house with ease and has figured out to adjust when he senses that something has been moved to a different position.  One of the most impressive things is when he is hanging out in the kitchen and hears the sound of the steam mop and/or smells the cleaner being applied to the floor, he will hop up on a step in order to be out of the way and not step in the cleaner.  None of my other dogs seem to understand how to do this.  They either stand right in my way or walk through the cleaner.

He's soooo intimidating, no?
Another thing that astounds me and makes me love Keller is that he is protective.  Even though he often has no idea what he is barking at, when he's outside and smells someone or something unfamiliar he will run towards it and stand at the fence barking.  Although he a small dog, his bark can sound pretty intimidating.  I've had to let a few delivery people and neighbors know that he is blind and very protective.  They are amazed because you'd think most blind dogs would hide from the unknown.  There have been a couple times when a "stranger" has come to the house and he will stand between me and them and bark.  I pick him up and let him know that I'm safe. 

Lastly (although there are so many things) is that he seems to sense when I am leaving.  He will follow me to the door and try to dart out and run to the gate where I leave.  Of course it breaks my heart to seem him stand there when I leave, so I make sure not to let him go out when I go.  However, when I am going out the door for some other reason, like to go downstairs or just go into the backyard, he doesn't follow me.  He will just lie in his bed or mosey about in his usual Keller fashion.  You might be telling yourself that this is merely a coincidence, but it isn't.  How he knows, I have no idea- maybe he can smell my shoes, maybe he senses my excitement about the possibility of freedom from my children... no clue.

Keller is amazing.  How he ended up in a shelter with no owner to be found, I will never understand. I know it is hard for some people to want to go to a shelter and adopt the "less adoptable" dogs, but Keller is a great example of why people need to consider it.  Older dogs, special needs dogs, deserve to live their lives in a loving and comfortable home.  Imagine if you ever get to the age where you need to be cared for or even enter assisted living- how would you want to live out your remaining years?  Exactly.  And dogs like Keller deserve that too.  But you must go find your own Keller, cause I'm keeping this one!

             Keller, one month ago, sharing a pillow with Buddy, another rescue.  I've had Buddy about two years and have never seen him attempt to share a bed with any other dog!  Keller is truly amazing!


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