A shelter near Boise, Idaho, contacted us a couple of weeks ago to ask if we could take in an older, blind female dog named Madison. She had been picked up as a stray back in April. The shelter's adoption coordinator, Debbie B., told me in an email, "No one has claimed her and we haven’t had anyone interested in adopting her."
Debbie described her as "real sweetie," and said: "I don’t think her tail ever stops wagging! We would love to get her to her forever home as she is so deserving. We named her Madison and below are pictures of her. If you have availability, we are wondering if you would be in a position to take her in and give her or find her a good home."
We agreed, and then the next step was to work out travel arrangements. Boise is a long way from the ranch, so we arranged to meet them half-way in Idaho Falls on Friday. One of the shelter's volunteers, Haley S., was kind enough to drive Madison out from Boise, and Alayne met them in Idaho Falls around noon. She got back to the ranch with Madison early Friday evening. I took the photo above of Alayne with our new arrival this afternoon.
Madison is a Chow mix, though we aren't quite sure what else she may have in her. She is a very sweet girl, and is definitely up there in years -- probably about 9 or 10, we think. That's a very gray muzzle you see in the photo! She looks bigger in the photo than she actually is; she's more like blind Samantha's size -- about knee-high and 40 lbs or so. My 'educated guess' -- judging from the appearance of her eyes -- is that she is blind from progressive retinal atrophy, but we'll know more after she gets her eye exam with our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver.
Please join us in welcoming Madison to the ranch!
---
Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Wow .. still No. 3! Please keep voting -- thank you!
This dog is beautiful and does deserve to live the rest of her life being happy.I think she will find everything that she needs including LOVE at the RDR. Once again, another happy ending.
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | June 13, 2009 at 09:12 PM
Welcome Madison! Senior dogs are the best! They love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They have learned many of life's lessons like that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing. They give unwavering devotion. We have rescued two in the last 18 mo. and we couldn't enjoy or love them more. Thank you RDR for bringing Madison home.
Posted by: Margo | June 11, 2009 at 03:51 PM
I fostered Madison for the week before she left for the Ranch. A sweet girl says it all. She was definitely a house dog, well mannered and not a bit of trouble and clearly not abused by her owners. I'd like to think that whoever it was that lost her was just not in a position to find her. She definitely does not let her blindness slow her down and I can sure see how she could have wandered off on her own. It was a real pleasure getting to know her.
Posted by: Steve Havis | June 10, 2009 at 07:31 PM
I just don't understand how an old, blind dog becomes an unclaimed stray. What's up with that??? I would move heaven and earth to find my lost dog.
But you know, I read an article once about abusive men who steal their ex's pets to cause the ex grief. They take them to another town and drop them off somewhere far from the owner. My neighbor shot his wife's two dogs the night he left her. Guess there are lots of scenarios........
I'm just glad Madison is safe and sound.
Posted by: Lynn | June 09, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Welcome, Madison! Ooo, you are a lucky, lucky dog to be living at RDR... you are so very pretty too!
~Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
http://www.joyfulpaws.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | June 09, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Every time I read a story like this one I wonder: How can anyone leave a loved one abandoned just when they need them the most? Don't they have a heart??
I am sure that Madison has arrived to the best possible place on earth!!
Thanks Steve and Alayne for making these happy endings possible!!!!!
Posted by: Carolina | June 09, 2009 at 10:11 AM
What a precious face! Madison, you are now safe at the ranch...the place closest to heaven! Welcome!
Posted by: Nina | June 08, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Welcome home Madison. Lexi rescued me last year and she was 9-10 years old too! There's lots of love and life in them old bones!
Posted by: sharon | June 08, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Madison!!! One of my favorite names. Welcome to RDR!
Posted by: Jamie | June 08, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Congrats on hitting the royal flush, Madison! You're at the best place on the planet! Looks to me like you have some yellow lab mixed in with that bit of Chow. You look like a real sweetheart & with Alayne hugging you, how could you not be happy? Welcome to heaven on earth, the RDR!
Welcome hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | June 08, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Madison, you're cute as a button, and you'll be in heaven now that you're at home at RDR. Welcome!
Posted by: Moon Rani | June 08, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Madison - You've hit the jackpot of great karma to be at this wonderful, safe and loving place. Annemarie
Posted by: Annemarie juhlian | June 08, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Another one of those wonderful pictures and stories!! Madison has a serious and sweet face and Alayne's smile must keep the ranch warm in winter. Love you guys - and I'll say Madison hit the jackpot!!
Posted by: Angela | June 08, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Welcome Madison! I don't know how you got passed over you have the sweetest face. You have hit the jackpot in your new living arrangements, you're gonna love RDR. (((Madison)))
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | June 08, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Welcome to your ranch home Madison!
You're going to love every day of your new life...playing with friends, seasonal changes and smells and great people to care for you!
Posted by: boundforglory | June 08, 2009 at 10:18 AM
What a sweet face! You'll be very happy in each others company I think...
Posted by: Jessica, NL | June 08, 2009 at 03:45 AM
Welcome Madison, what a sweet face you have. The grey faced sweeties always get me! And those floppy ears. She looks very soft and huggable (aren't they all?) I know she'll be very happy on this new road in her life. Thank you for taking her in.
Posted by: bregda | June 08, 2009 at 03:26 AM
Benvenuta Madison! (That's "Welcome!" in Italian:-))
It feels so great to know that sweet Maddy is going to spend the final years of her life being loved and well-cared for...
Three cheers for Madison!
P.S.: do I see a little Labrador mixed with the Chow?
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 08, 2009 at 02:34 AM
Hi, Madison! Welcome to RDR!
She does look like such a sweetie.
Posted by: Billie | June 07, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Somebody dumped their old blind dog in the street, that's my guess.
Welcome, Madison, you couldn't have found a better place to live.
Thanks again, Steve and Alayne.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | June 07, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Welcome home Madison! What a lucky girl are.Steve and Alayne are the best and they'll give you all the love and care you deserve. No more worries sweet girl....be happy!
Posted by: Beverly | June 07, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Hi, Madison! You'll love it at RDR!
Posted by: Rich Y | June 07, 2009 at 06:43 PM
What a sweet look. Believe she is very happy to be at RDR and will fit right in. The refined poodle sisters might take her under their wing and show her the ropes.
Posted by: Bob | June 07, 2009 at 06:28 PM