This handsome boy is blind Mitch, a husky who arrived this evening from a rescue group in Indiana. A wonderful lady named Sharon A. runs Mercy Rescue, along with her husband Max, and she emailed us on March 1 about this dog. Sharon wrote:
"Mitch was abandoned in an outside kennel at our county animal control facility one cold Saturday night in January. We always check the kennels on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings because they are closed on the weekends. When I saw him I was impressed with his sweet disposition and his good looks. I told my husband, “We have to save this dog.” We had no idea he was blind. We gave him food and water and I called animal control on Monday morning. When we went to pick him up, the kennel tech informed us he had a vision problem. She brought him into the office and we could see that he was probably blind. We took him to a local vet immediately. She said he does have cataracts but they are not serious enough to blind him. She indicated his blindness could have any number of causes, but she was not able to do the diagnostics so Mitch would have to see a specialist, and would probably never see again. Being a small rescue in a small town the funds are simply not available for specialist care."
Sharon's note continued:
"It was my opinion that such a pretty dog with such a gentle disposition was adoptable even if he was blind. I posted pictures of Mitch and the info about him on Petfinder and other sites. To my dismay we have not received one inquiry. So this wonderful dog is living in a kennel with no constant human companionship. We try to spend time with him, but it's not enough. I think how alone and isolated he must feel. He listens to every movement around him and wags his tail at the sound of our voices or other dogs passing by him."
We asked Sharon to see how he was with other dogs, and he did fine. So we agreed to take him, and I then set about making his transportation arrangements.
We had to fly him into Bozeman, Montana, about three hours south of us, because Northwest Airlines is still flying larger jets -- A319s and A320s -- into that airport. All the other airlines have switched their Montana flights to the smaller regional jets (Canadairs and Embraers), which can't take anything larger than a "large" crate ... and those are about big enough for a Cocker Spaniel. And Northwest now only flies regional jets into Missoula and Helena, too. So for a dog of Mitch's size, requiring an extra-large or giant crate, we're down to one option ... Northwest to Bozeman. Thus we made reservations for Mitch to fly from Indianapolis to Minneapolis and on to Bozeman.
I drove down to Bozeman this afternoon to meet his 6:30 p.m. flight. When the airline personnel brought him out in his crate on a dolly, I walked over and said, "Hi, Mitch!" And this boy's tail just started a-wagging. Walking out of the terminal, Mitch went face-first into the curb, but he was so excited to be out of the crate and happy to be exploring it didn't faze him at all.
We had an uneventful trip back to the ranch. The biggest challenge was simply trying to keep Mitch in the back seat; he tried every opportunity to climb up front. He is a very sweet dog, exactly as Sharon described him. Alayne took the photo of me with Mitch right after we got home about 10:30 p.m. As I write this, Mitch is in the yard checking things out after eating some dinner.
And now it's time for all of us to go to bed!
I live in M'sia and very happy to know that there are good Samaritans out there that cares. You guys are unsung heroes for sure. Because of you, the rescued animals have a 2nd chance of a good life :) . Bravo! Have a good life beautiful Mitch...
Posted by: Jazz | April 17, 2008 at 05:16 AM
Thank you for doing what you do. And thanks for saving Mitch. I am from the same town in Indiana that Mitch came from, & have met Sharon & Max and the others involved in Mercy Rescue & Adoption. These are some of the greatest unsung heroes I have had the pleasure to know. Thank you all!
Posted by: Kenn Vest | March 30, 2008 at 01:11 AM
He is so beautiful. And he will be so happy with the snow and cold up there! I am so glad he found his way to you.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | March 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Sending husky hugs to Mitch! He just won the puppy lottery! Fresh air, open spaces, love and loyalty, not to mention all his new furkin and his very special guardians! Looking forward to seeing him thrive in his new home.
Posted by: Sasha | March 21, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Huskies are indeed sweet. We adopted a Siberian Husky who had been tied up for two years and I was always surprise how it did not ruin his wonderful spirit. Huskies love children and are wonderful dogs. I’m so glad there was room at RDR for Mitch! Can’t wait to meet him!! Of course, after losing our 13 year old Siberian last July we have a soft spot in our heart for this breed.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | March 20, 2008 at 11:55 PM
What a wonderful handsome HAPPY boy mitch seems in that picture - i am in love with him and wish i could take another dog (but i can't...)!! I am so glad he has found a place at Rolling Dog Ranch where he will be loved and well cared for. Please post about him often!
Posted by: maggie | March 20, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Congratulations on your new home Mitch - and welcome to the ranch. I think you're gonna like it here. :- )
Posted by: Karen | March 20, 2008 at 08:11 PM
There are TWO smiles in the picture, what a happy face Mitch has :-). Welcome, big boy!
Posted by: Jessica, NL | March 20, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Congrats on your arrival to heaven on earth, Mitch! The fantabulous RDR! You're just going to love it there! I think you've probably already figured out that the place is just the greatest! We're just so happy that Sharon took care of you in Indiana & had your best interest at heart. We're sending you big welcome hugs.
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | March 20, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Welcome, Mitch - - you sound like my kind of guy!
Posted by: Moon Rani | March 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
What a love. Hard to believe nobody wanted him, but maybe he was fated to end up here.
Posted by: Rebecca M. | March 20, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Yay for Mitch! I'm glad he's getting another chance, especially on the ranch. :)
Posted by: Julie | March 20, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Welcome to Montana, Mitch! What a lucky, lucky boy you are you will never have to wonder again where you are or why your people left you. Thank you Alayne & Steve.
Posted by: Nancy | March 20, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Well Well Who is this handsome creature? Wonder what caused his other people to abandon him? Does he show signs of being mistreated? Could be the people just could not afford to keep him any longer! Any guesstiamate as to how old he is? Being stranded like that could be the BEST thing to have happened-----he is now at RDR!!!!! Welcome Mitch . May you have many days having fun, playing in the snow(Lord, knows there is plenty to go around)and getting to know all your new friends at RDR. You are a very lucky dog. Take care
Posted by: Taylors on Olympic Peninsula in WA state | March 20, 2008 at 01:32 PM
what a beautiful boy! Rest my friend...you're safe now.
Posted by: Cora | March 20, 2008 at 01:03 PM
He is going to be a busy boy with all his new "siblings" to discover. He is quite handsome indeed! Thank heavens for RDR.
Posted by: Regis Dalton | March 20, 2008 at 12:37 PM
What a beautiful boy! Welcome home Mitch.
Posted by: Mircat | March 20, 2008 at 11:50 AM
He's a handsome boy indeed! And very lucky to find his way to RDR.
So... you guys still take big dogs, eh?!? With the batch of small dogs lately I was beginning to wonder!
Welcome Mr. Mitch!
Posted by: Linda | March 20, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What a great Easter gift for both you and Mitch...each other.
Welcome to you new life.
Posted by: Smiley Faces | March 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I am so happy that Mitch will now get the care, attention, and love he deserves. And you will have another bundle of love to look after. Blessings and thanks to you.
Posted by: Angela | March 20, 2008 at 10:13 AM
what a handsome boy! he looks sweet too! welcome to the RDR family Mitch! im sure you'll love it! thanks Steve & Alayne for givin him a new lease on life! hugs to everyone at RDR! xxxxx
Posted by: GiLe | March 20, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Mitch sounds so sweet! He has come to the right place! I'm sure he will have a wonderful time at the ranch, exploring and hanging out with the others. :)
Posted by: Katie in NC | March 20, 2008 at 09:48 AM
What a great story!!
I'm so happy Mitch will be living at the ranch and enjoying everyone and everything; and with his sweet personality, I'm sure you and the animals will enjoy him too.
Thank you Sharon and Max for putting this idea into motion and a huge thank you to Steve and Alayne for making the final decision to give this darling boy a loving and safe home.
Can't wait to see more of Mitch in the future!
Posted by: Boundforglory | March 20, 2008 at 09:36 AM
What a beautiful dog! I'm so glad that he gets a new lease on life with you guys at RDR. Thanks for taking in another of God's wonderful creatures when no one else will!
Posted by: SARAH MITCHELL | March 20, 2008 at 09:17 AM
What a handsome boy! Bet he's going to break some hearts on the Ranch. Well done Steve and Alayne...again. We love ya!
Posted by: Lalla and Sasha | March 20, 2008 at 08:56 AM
What a handsome boy! Welcome to the ranch, Mitch....you are at the greatest place to be!
Posted by: Nina | March 20, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Hooray for Mitch! What a beautiful animal! I am thrilled that you could accept him and give him a chance to love and be loved.
Posted by: Debbie | March 20, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Welcome to the Ranch Mitch. :)
How could any dog person not have wanted such a lovely looking boy?
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | March 20, 2008 at 07:12 AM
He is pretty and does look very sweet and happy. I'm glad he's getting another chance and hope he'll have a good and happy life. :-)
Posted by: eek | March 20, 2008 at 06:44 AM
Well, it seems that another total sweetheart has arrived at the RDR... Three cheers for Mitch!!!
Being a husky, there's no doubt he's going to love the snowy Montana winters...:-)
Please give him a HUGE hug for me, will you? Tell him he's already got a fan here in Italy.:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 20, 2008 at 04:34 AM