Old And Blind And Deaf, But Full of Life

Here's the elderly lady who arrived yesterday evening -- little Miss Duchess, an old blind-and-deaf girl from Carlsbad, California.  Alayne took the photo of me holding Duchess this afternoon.  We had agreed to take her last week, after a vet tech at the vet hospital emailed us about her.

The vet tech, Mina S., wrote that "a guy brought in his 14-year old Jack Russell to be put down. He was about 85 years old, and the dog had been living in the garage, with no attention, and he said she just slept all day and he was over it.  Despite being blind and deaf, the dog was so happy to be out for a walk and paid attention to, prancing around ... we just couldn't bring ourselves to do it, and the vet refused to put her down."

This was a few months ago, and various staff members had fostered Duchess, but no permanent home surfaced for her.  And being shuffled around was taking its toll on this old girl.

Mina wrote last Thursday, "We're really at a loss of what to do. We almost put her to sleep yesterday, simply because she has NO WHERE to go. We held off putting her down overnight, to try just a few more avenues, but nothing has worked out. You are truly our last hope for Duchess.  I'm sure you guys are terribly full, and the last thing you need is a blind and deaf Jack Russell -- but this one truly is worth the effort to help.  She's loving and sweet, but low maintenance, and just wants a safe place to sleep on a warm bed, and wander around (and she does love to eat!)."

I emailed Mina back on Friday to say we could take her.

So on Monday, even as Alayne and I were reeling from Oscar's death, I made flight reservations to bring Duchess to Montana.  I will admit there was something therapeutic about doing this on the same day we lost Oscar.  There are some folks who will (for good reason) think we need our heads examined for taking in such an elderly dog, knowing heartbreak is not far off ... especially after all of our recent losses.  And I don't really have a good answer for that, other than to say that this little girl needed a place like the ranch, and here we are.

Yesterday morning, Mina dropped Duchess off at the San Diego airport at 6:15 a.m., and then waited until her Alaska Airlines flight took off for Seattle at 8:15 a.m.  She called me to say "Duchess is on her way!"  Mina was kind enough to pay for the airfare, even though we were planning on paying for the entire trip.  Duchess caught a connecting flight on Horizon Air in Seattle, and arrived in Missoula at 7 p.m.

For an old, blind-and-deaf dog who's been through a lot of upheaval in her life, Duchess has settled in just fine.  She gets along with everyone, and is very happy just wandering around the house and yard.  And Mina was right, she does love to eat!  Her nose is incredible, and she can smell a dog treat at 10 yards.  Here's a photo I took this afternoon, when she was looking for a treat she knew I had on the table next to me:

Comments

[Cyndy]

I have a blind wire fox terrier who just recently also went deaf. She is 11 and your heartwarming story gives me hope that she will continue to live a full and happy life. I'm sure Duchess is happy to have you in her life and vice versa!

[Erin]

You guys are truly wonderful; I think it's fantastic what you are doing for animals! I wish I lived in Montana and could come work for you! We do visit Montana though, every couple years, and hope we can visit soon. Keep up the awesome work!!

[Nadia cusan]

Dutchess is so beautiful. Please continue the good work for those dogs that have no one, don't ever give up what you are doing.

thanks again for all the animals you are taking care of.

Nadia

[The Sciacca Family, Whittier, Calif.]

It's absolutely wonderful that the two of you to take in Duchess! My husband and I have 8, yes 8 children and 4 dogs & 2 cats. We took in a Chihuahua right before Christmas because someone my daughter knows was going to take this 2 month old and 2 lb. dog to an LA shelter. We couldn't let that happen. He was too small and we new he'd just get sick. He is wonderful! He makes us all happy with his silly ways. I can see why you do what you do for animals. It touchs my heart every time I read your blog. I told my husband if we keep bringing home more animals we're going to have to buy a ranch and call it The Rolling Dog Ranch 2!

[Mehdi]

Miss Duchess might be old,deaf and blind but she is an angel that deserves a life full of happiness and comfort which you so wonderfully provide and I am more than willing to provide funding required for such a life. that is the only way I can thank you for doing what so many of us want to do but are not set up to do so. Thank you

[Tryna Merriman]

Awww, how could you (anyone) resist such a face?

[Boundforglory]

What a great family addition Duchess will be!
A big thank you to Mina (and vet staff) for not putting her down.
Her desire for a simple, loving life radiates through her eyes; and after 14 years, she's finally where she's always wanted to be. Enjoy her!

[Mary]

As others have said before me, do not think for one moment that you need your heads examined. Duchess was in desperate need of help, and RDR was her last chance.

She looks like such a sweetie, but, as with most JRs, I detect a liitle bit of mischief in her eyes!

[Kelly Luchtman]

I had to laugh when I saw the heading "Old and blind and Deaf, but Full of life" and then saw a photo of Steve there. :) Perhaps you feel a little bit that way after the sad winter. I'm betting Duchess will be a great source of cheer.

[Cindy]

Duchess:
You look SO SO happy. I am so glad you are in a happy home with lots of attention. Being touched and loved is the most important medicine you can have. Love your face.

[Bruce Small]

We adopted a blind 14-year-old dog several years ago, found starved and wandering the streets in Los Angeles. They could not find a home for her and were going to put her down when I heard about it and stepped up to the plate.

We adopted her out of pity, but you know what, she was the nicest dog and it turned out we were the ones who got the most out of the adoption. She was the gentlest soul you could imagine. All she wanted was someone to love her.

One thing she did have was a fantastic nose. She knew exactly where a horse had crossed the trail, or a neighbour had come over to pick pomegranates.

She only lived ten months with us before passing on to a better world, but I've never regretted giving her a second chance. She was just a sweetheart.

[Rebecca M.]

Elderly pets deserve to live out their lives in peace and comfort. Nothing crazy about that.

If there's any silver lining to the losses you've experienced recently, it's that you can help even more animals like Duchess who have no other options.

[Tonya]

She looks like a real sweetheart and I'll bet she still has some terrier mischief in her. She'll brighten up the place. Dogs come with built-in heartbreak for us because their lives are short, but even if they are with us for only a few months, it's always worth it. I'm sure the change from a lonely garage to a comfortable and sociable home will rejuvenate her, as it seems to have started doing already. Thank you for giving her another chance.

[Sue H]

Welcome Duchess!! What a darling little dog! It was the right thing to do to take her in...she deserves the good life now. It's just the circle of life...my husband and I have always found comfort taking in a stray/rescue animal at anytime, but especially around the loss of one of our pets...we feel it's a great tribute to our lost furry friends that we continue to help other little animals that need a home. You guys are the best...Duchess looks like such a sweetheart. Hugs to all of you!

[Mircat]

Congratulations Duchess on finally finding love. You're sunset months or years will be filled with the care and devotion you have waited for and deserve. Have fun sweet thing!

[MaryJane Cooper]

Welcome home, Miss Duchess. It's good to meet you.
MaryJane

[Nancy]

This is the sunshine on the other side of the shadow of losing them! The only comfort in losing them is that a home is opened for another. I understand completely the willingness to be heartbroken.

Thank you so much for what you do and do not get burned out!!

Nancy

[Moon Rani]

What a love, and what a lucky little lady!

[Linda]

Duchess is beautiful and I'm so glad you were able to take her. Thank you, Steve and Alayne!!And hooray to Mina for not giving up. I have a feeling Duchess will be with you longer than you think, and I'm so happy that at last, she will be able to experience some joy in her life.

[Barbara]

A quote I thought was perfect for what you do with the love you have for animals:
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
-Cheryl Zuccaro
Oscar knew Ms. Duchess needed you so he made room for her. That is so beautiful.
Barbara
www.joyfulpaws.com

[Katie in NC]

She looks like a sweetie! You definitely don't need your heads examined, this is why you do what you do. No matter how much longer she has, it'll be worth every minute. Can't wait to hear more about Duchess as she enjoys her new life on the ranch!

[Mary Young]

Duchess is just what Rolling Dog needs! She is a cutie pie! So glad she made to Rolling Dog!

[Janet in Cambridge]

This sweet JR was just old, nothing wrong with her, except her "owner" was "disabled" by ignorance and uncaring. By now RDR has shown everyone that deaf and blind certainly isn't particularly disabled and neither is being neurological.

I've said it many times, I'd rather have had the companionship of my creatures and grieve at their loss than never to have known them or loved them.

I happen to have a real fondness for JRs--they're such little pissahs (as they say here in the Boston area).

[Debbie]

God Bless you and Alanye for taking on another critter!! Duchess was just looking for love in all the wrong places until she found you. I was suppose to foster my papillion until my vet found a home for her, she was brought in to be put down from a "breeder" because her ears would not stand up. My vet called and asked if I could help out for a few weeks, after 2 days and lots of kissy kissy, I told my husband I could not give her up, he responce was'what's one more". Princess Poopsalot is loved by everyone.

[Jessica, NL]

As every adopted friend gives you their ALL in the time they can spend with you, I've never understood that predjudice against older animals... A Yorkie we took in for the last three months of his life gave us his whole 16+ years of love and admiration and friendship and so much more... The whole 5840 days "worth" of love given freely in just 90 days, nobody can better that!!
Cheers for miss Duchess!!