Desi Shih Tzu Barium Springs, NC

Picture this: you’re in your car going out your long driveway when, approaching the end, you see something odd out there – and when you get closer, you see that it’s actually two small dogs. One is frantically running around in circles and the other is doing its best to keep the frantic dog from running out into the road!

That’s exactly the scene that played out for a kind man earlier this summer. He stopped the car, got out, and saw that a tote of food that had been left in his driveway, along with the two dogs. There was no note. No collars. No identification. Nothing else. Someone had apparently abandoned the two dogs along with some food and had simply driven off.

So the man picked up the dogs and the tote and returned to his house – and to his very surprised wife! And they contacted their vet, who reached out to our rescue for help in determining what the next step should be to assist the two little foundlings.

This bonded pair of cuties have been named “Lucy” and “Desi” and they are as sweet as can be. As soon as the man brought the dogs in the house, he and his wife saw right away that Desi’s eyes were in extremely bad shape. The rescue group arranged for consultation with a canine ophthalmologist, who said that Desi was in a lot of pain and, due to the condition (severe Glaucoma and Dry Eye) of his eyes, was already blind – and that both eyes would need to be removed. So Desi’s eyes have now been removed and his eyelids stitched shut – and he has made a really wonderful and speedy recovery! Although blind, he has fairly quickly figured out the layout of his new home, and his foster mom is careful not to move any furniture so as not to trip him up...literally! The ophthalmology vet said that it will probably take three months or so for Desi to figure out his forever home and to navigate it just as well as he has learned to navigate in his foster home.

Desi is a happy little guy, eagerly going for rides in the car with Lucy. He must have been used to car rides in his past life, because the first time he was lifted into the front passenger seat (remember, he’s blind!) he stood up and put both his little paws on the dashboard and “looked” out the windshield at the passing scenery!

Desi is estimated to be 6 years old and the vet believes he is a Shih Tzu. He weighs about 10 lbs. Like Lucy, Desi is a smart little pup and is eager to please. Although he doesn’t go on walks with Lucy and the family’s own dogs, Desi does enjoy going out into the fenced yard and exploring in the grass. The family is careful not to let Desi outside loose, lest he be startled by a loud or unfamiliar noise and run off.

Since these two are definitely a bonded pair, we are looking for a home for them (together) that is one story – all on one level with no or few steps – due to Desi’s blindness. Also, a home without children living there for the same reason. And their new home must have a securely fenced yard, so that they can safely explore their yard.

Desi has been neutered, micro-chipped, and is current on his Rabies and DHP/Parvo vaccines. He has tested negative for heartworms and is on both heartworm and flea prevention. He also received a dental.

The adoption fee for Lucy and Desi together is $400.00

Please consider the care and grooming in long-haired breeds such as Desi when adopting or purchasing a dog. They are considered high-maintenance because they do require regular brushing – plus trips to the groomer about every six weeks. If this does not fit into your budget or lifestyle, then a short-haired breed would be a better choice.

Forever Home Canine Rescue offers a three-week trial period with all of our adoptions, just to be sure that the pet is a good match for the adoptive family. The fee is refunded if the adoption does not work out within the trial period. We want to be sure that each of our pets will have the perfect “forever” home!

Every sad story deserves a happy ending, right? If you are interested in Lucy and Desi and think you may be able to provide them with the “happy ending” (and happy home!) they so deserve, please visit our website at foreverhomek9rescue.org for information on our adoption process. To get an application, you can cut and paste this link to our online application: http://foreverhomek9rescue.org/adoption-application. You may also download an application from our website, or e-mail us at foreverhomek9rescue@yahoo.com for additional information or to request an application.

Forever Home Canine Rescue adopts out-of-state, but we never ship or transport our pets. An approved adopter must come to North Carolina to meet their new canine companion and then take him/her back home with them.

We would like to thank Julia Pollex of Julia Pollex Photography for these charming photos of Desi. Julia offered her services to help Desi and Lucy find a wonderful forever home. If you would like to contact her for any photography needs, check out her website at- https://juliapollexphotography.com/ Julia is based in Troutman, NC.