I drove out to Great Falls on Friday to pick up a blind Beagle puppy we flew in from Atlanta. This little guy, who we named Austin, came to us from the same lady, Morgan S., who sent us blind Widget, blind Willie and blind Briggs. Morgan was living in New York when she rescued Widget years ago, and has since moved to Georgia where she runs Atlanta Beagle Rescue.
An animal control shelter had picked up Austin as a stray, but no one claimed him and the shelter couldn't find anyone to adopt him. Just as his time was running out, a private rescuer noticed Austin in the shelter and called another rescuer, who knew Morgan and asked her for help in getting the blind Beagle to safety.
We think he may be only about 9 months old or so. His eyes are clear but appear a little odd ... a tad undersized, perhaps, but not what would be considered microphthalmia. They don't really track anything, so even if Austin knows you're there and he's "looking" at you, his eyes don't necessarily point in your direction. In other words, his head is facing you but his eyes sometimes wander. Most blind dogs will still train their eyes on you if they know where you are from sound, smell or touch.
He's an itty bitty guy, underweight for sure but also just very small. He's as cute as can be, sweet and affectionate. Briggs knows there's someone new in the isolation yard, so he goes up and down the solid wood fence, cone attached to his head, trying to figure out who the new arrival is. He's heard there's another blind Beagle from Georgia on the other side, but he wants to check it out for himself:
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Posted by: Esserohor | December 15, 2010 at 05:17 AM
I have a blind Beagle named Abbey. She is a year old this month. She was born with microthalmia in both eyes as well as cornea edema in her left. She has one very cloudy blue eye and her other is covered mostly by her third eyelid and the rest just kind of wanders. She is my precious baby and I wouldn't trade her for the world!
Posted by: Gina | September 24, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Dogs get more information via nose and ears than humans do, so I hope Austin will finally learn to live blind. He's lucky to have been picked up by you.
Posted by: Beagle Owner | December 07, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I bought a beagle from a breeder in PA in august...I live on Long Island...he is a pure bred but we only paid 300 dollars for him...I know nothing about dog breeding or anything, it was my first time buying a dog....however I thought 300 was cheap for a pure bred...anyway it turns out my poor Rocco is blind in his right eye and 80% blind in his left eye...the vet told me it was caused by a "breeder defect"..and that I should get my money back...I don't know what to do...any advice???
Posted by: Nicole | November 15, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I am 12 and i have loved Beagles since i was 3 or even younger. And you just get given one. you are so lucky!!! Can you tell me where to get one. HAHAHAHA!!! By the way i hope you and your beagle are very happy together. xxx
Posted by: Anna Allport | August 12, 2008 at 07:25 AM
How nice to see Alayne in front of the camera!!!
Posted by: Kristi Gross | April 29, 2008 at 02:25 PM
He's so adorable! Beagle-mania continues!
Posted by: Kristen D. | April 29, 2008 at 08:45 AM
It is all part of the Beagle's master plan to take over the world. Plump little Beagles running the show! It's only a matter of time.
Posted by: Bob | April 28, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Welcome precious puppy! What a cutie!
Thanks to all involved in his rescue...you all have compassionate hearts.
Posted by: Nina | April 28, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Congratulations, Austin!
Briggs looks like he's being punished, you know, standing in the corner thing?
Posted by: yoonamaniac | April 28, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Wonderful news! Austin is in the best of company now with fine tutors eager to jump in, :) Morgan S., you rock!
Posted by: Margaret | April 28, 2008 at 06:41 PM
What a lucky little guy !
Pretty soon the beagles are going be beating the doxies !
Best of luck, Austin !
Posted by: Kylie Payeur | April 28, 2008 at 04:09 PM
What an adorable Beagle puppy. Thanks for taking this cutie into your very capable hands!!
Posted by: Carisa | April 28, 2008 at 01:11 PM
This is such a sweet picture -- I am so happy for little Austin that he is right where he belongs! I can't wait to see the beagle gang together when they are all settled. Alayne you are looking great. Congratulations on your new little addition.
Posted by: Angela Langdon | April 28, 2008 at 10:03 AM
What a cutie? So do the beagles out number the little dash hounds....
Posted by: gayle | April 28, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Austin is very sweet looking!
It's so hard to be patient when you have another beagle to add to the pack but you can't get close enough to get a good sniff.
Welcome home Austin!
Posted by: Boundforglory | April 28, 2008 at 09:08 AM
awwwww!!! hes soooo cute!!! welcome to the RDR Austin! Hugs to all at RDR!
Posted by: GiLe | April 28, 2008 at 08:53 AM
It looks like Briggs is using his cone like a glass to a wall to amplify the sounds next door! "What kind is it? Will I like him or her? Will we play? I'm so excited to meet the newbie!"
Austin is a cutie & so fortunate to have rescuers to get him to the fantastic RDR! Thanks so much for giving him Sanctuary!
Big hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | April 28, 2008 at 04:43 AM
How cute are the new RDR puppies? (Don't tell the Widge)
Posted by: Lalla and Sasha | April 28, 2008 at 04:34 AM
A very warm welcome to sweet Austin! What a cutie! He looks so content in Alayne's arms (and she looks quite happy, too:-))...
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 28, 2008 at 04:30 AM
Pretty soon the Beagles may out number the Dachshunds and then it's.....the battle of the minions.
Austin is such a cutie, thanks to those involved in his rescue and to the RDR for his new home.
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | April 28, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Widget better get busy making mischief, bc Briggs sounds like he is quite the character and might give her a run for her money!
And welcome to adorable Austin!!!! I'm sure that he will be an absolutely amazing addition... :)
Posted by: maggie | April 27, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Wow he is really a cutie!!! So glad he found his way to the Ranch.
Posted by: Lori Leduc | April 27, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Maybe Austin is a 13' beagle--very cute--another Beagle for the RDR Beagle pack!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | April 27, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Oh my... another cute beagle at the RDR. Welcome to the best place in the world Austin.. .:)
Posted by: Jen | April 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Aww this little guy is tooo precious. He reminds me of my beagle, Mischa. I just wanted to say thank-you from one animal-lover to another. The work you do is amazing, and you have inspired me to want to help animals in need too.
Posted by: Lisa Beaudoin | April 27, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Morgan S is a saint , and I can't even put into words what she must think of you and Alayne !
Austin, I think, is going to be a major player on the RDR Championship team !!!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Bibi | April 27, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Welcome home, Austin Mini!
Posted by: Jamie | April 27, 2008 at 08:00 PM