Zonder is not without love or hope and needs a very special forever home!

Diana Crawford, FOR volunteer, is our guest blogger today.

I noticed Zonder in the middle of the Crises at Huntsville Animal Services.  He was in a kennel alone, deaf, blind and sick and he reminded me of my Bella. He was one of the sick, one of the very sick in fact.  He was so sick we wondered if he would even make it through the night. I worried all night long about him being left in the shelter and kicked myself for not getting him out that day.  In the mean time, I got approval from the board (they reminded me of risks and probably thought I was crazy), picked out his name and started making arrangements for him to come to my house (secretly.. I didn't have everyone's blessing because we were taking a break from fostering).  I fixed up my dining room as his hospital (i.e. ISOLATION) room.  I knew I needed to keep him separate from my herd of 5.. one of which is a senior.. so extra cautious about what she is exposed to. A volunteer took him from the shelter straight to the vet, where I met them.  He had been given fluids, antibiotics, and nausea medicines before they released him (traveling while sick and blind often causes motion sickness).  He was examined, given more meds, and we were cautioned about contaminating our pets because we really didn't know what illness he had.  He had symptoms that could have been one of many. 

  I took him home, he slept for most of the first 24 hours..I worried.  But he woke up the next morning Ready to take on the world.  I quickly learned that he was crate trained and knew how to let us know he needed to go potty. Within the first 48 hours he had figured out my front steps and could follow me around in the yard.  He was still very snotty, but full of spirit.  Nothing quite like having another one of your senses dulled when you already are without 2 of them. You see, he counts on his nose to SEE.  At the end of the first week, I could tell he was much healthier and his personality was glowing.  He ate up every minute he could get with me.  We would sit in the front yard and play.  Or play follow the leader... I would walk in big circles with him following every step.  I began introducing my dogs to him one at a time, One day at a time. Every time he went out to potty, his dog of the day went with him.  He quickly learned who he could jump at, play with and climb and chew on... and who he couldn't.  His favorite was Bella.. and although he doesn't know it.. he looks like he could be her puppy. She tolerated his puppy antics, let him chew on her ears and paws, and when it got annoying, she would just lay (PRESS) her head on him, so he couldn't chew but he could still be close. 

 During week two I began letting him wander about the house.  He usually chose to follow one of his persons about but sometimes would follow the herd.  One particular night, he apparently got his scents confused and decided to play with grouchy dog.  She pinned him and scared me to death. .. we back tracked a little bit.  But he quickly learned THAT dog was a grouch and to steer clear her.  His other favorite was Jazzy..when he wasn't following Bella and tormenting her, he was following Jazzy.  One day he followed her right out the dog door, into the back yard, followed her in circles, and did his business and then followed her back in the dog door.  A new trend began.  He has since been wandering out thru the dog door alone when he needs to GO.  He runs all over the back yard and when he is ready he comes back in.  He has not had the first accident inside the house or inside his crate. He has also figured out where the water bowls are at, where the furniture is at, which rooms he can go in, and gets around great.  

 We have decided that he sees "something".  We don't know if its shadows, outlines, colors, or what.. But really think he sees something.  He occasionally responds to really loud sounds.. like Grouchy dog when she barks right in his face, he jumps.  But we think he hears very little.  However, his diminished abilities are not diminishing his abilities to love and get around.  I am learning WITH him.  I have never cared for a blind or deaf animal.. and now I have both in the same one.  I'm learning how to teach him commands.. through touch. We are learning different kinds of touch.. a touch on the nose means come to me or with me.. on the rear end it means sit.  A hand on his shoulder/chest area is "settle" or "easy".. And a scratch on the head is LOVE. Yes we all still talk to him, and yes we all still fill dumb because he can't hear what we are saying.  He also knows being sprayed with a water bottle means NO.  He is a special boy with a special heart and special needs... and will need a special home and person.  Though I love him, I can't keep him.  My herd is barely manageable as it is and I wouldn't be able to help anyone else. I KNOW there is another special animal waiting for me to help. They are all special and all unique.  Zonder just has a few extras.  Oh yeah.. Zonder means WITHOUT... he is without sight, without hearing, without a tail... but he is NOT without love or hope.  Zonder will be available soon through FOR.  EmailInfo@FORrescue.net if you think you might be THAT special person. 

If you would like to contribute a story to the FOR blog, please mail the contents along with an image or two to blog@forrescue.net


 At the end of 2014 individuals who submitted content for the FOR blog will be entered in a drawing for a free pet portrait.