Here's the sweet girl who arrived early on Sunday morning in the same transport that Snuggles left on ... one Cocker in, one Cocker out! This is Suzi, who came from a small foster-based rescue group in Michigan called Happy Homes Rescue. Anne R., who runs the group, emailed me a few weeks ago to say:
"I rescued a blind, female Cocker Spaniel from a breeder in May 2010. Suzi had juvenile cataracts as a puppy and at some point after that her pupils luxated. When I first saw Suzi, her eyes were bulging out of her head. I rescued her and took her to a fabulous surgeon and had her eyes removed.
Suzi is a beautiful dog and a very well behaved girl. She is 5 years old and she has no other known medical conditions. I have taken care of all of her veterinary needs.
I have been disappointed by the fact that since May, no one has had any interest, at all, in adopting her. I've had her picture posted on petfinder.com and on our website. I haven't received any applications. When I have taken her to adoption events all that happens is that people want to have us take her out of the crate so they can see her, but they have no interest in adopting her. They just want to look at the dog without eyes. I get very upset because they treat her like she is some kind of freak show."
Well, that last line really got to me. I stopped reading her email for a second to let that sink in. I knew exactly what Anne meant. People can react very oddly to the sight of an animal with no eyes in his or her head; being blind is one thing, having no eyes is something else.
Anne continued, "To be honest, I've never had any problems adopting out any dogs and I never imagined that I would be in this position with Suzi. She's a beautiful, well behaved dog and I really thought she would get adopted."
I showed Anne's email to Alayne and she felt the same way I did: Yes, we'll bring her out.
If Anne was the first angel in Suzi's life, a second one arrived shortly thereafter: Lisa S., a friend of Anne's, graciously made a gift that paid for Suzi's transport to New Hampshire.
So on Sunday morning, we swapped Cockers ... off to Colorado and a wonderful new home went the one-eyed, energetic, brash and bold Miss Snuggles, and here came blind, quiet and timid Miss Suzi. In terms of personality, they are polar opposites. Every morning Snuggles greeted the new day with a "Hello world, what are you going to do for me today?" kind of attitude. Suzi is so shy and meek you hardly realize she's here.
But somebody did realize she was here. Blind Briggs, the original ladies' man from Georgia, was thrilled with the new girl in town. That last new girl, Snuggles, was a bit too pushy for him -- a number of times she even tried to hump the poor wobbly guy (and Fuzzy, too!) -- with predictable effects: "Hey, what are you doing?!?," followed by the sound of Beagle crashing to the ground. Briggs likes to lead on the dance floor, so to speak, so Snuggles was not his type at all.
Suzi's demure "oh, it's just me" nature is perfect for him. Here he is, finally getting a chance to meet her:
Briggs: "Say, come here often?"
We keep telling him he needs to work on his pick-up lines.
Well, we may roll our eyes at his introductions, but it seemed the blind Beagle and blind Cocker have hit it off, because a short while later here was the scene:
Suzi, honey, you've come to the right place.
Anne and Lisa, thank you for rescuing this girl and helping her get to us!
---
American Dog Magazine is holding its 1st Annual Humanitarian Awards poll and is asking print and online readers to vote for various organizations and individuals in several animal welfare categories. We are included in the very first category called "Exemplary Animal Shelter" and also in the third category, "Rescue Organization Saving Dogs." You can vote in the poll here.
---
Still 2nd place!
Please keep voting for the sanctuary in the Shelter Challenge -- the votes are adding up! And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Please note: Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.
It was thanks to all of your amazing votes that we won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the final Shelter Challenge of 2009, and we came in fourth nationwide in the first Shelter Challenge earlier this year, winning $3,000. So this is serious money and can really make a difference for our disabled animals! Please help us win this round of the contest by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
Just back from Paris and rushed to see who the "new kid in town" is...
Welcome home (and to doggy heaven), sweet Suzi!
God bless all your "angels"...
P.S.: I just loved Snuggles's "acrobatic" pictures!:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | November 21, 2010 at 11:18 AM
I can understand people's reaction to Suzi at the adoption fair, in that I don't think that for everyone it was so much a freak show as a shocking surprise. Most people don't ever get to see or even interact with many disabled humans, so they may not even conceive the notion of the existence a disabled animal. Certainly, you're not going to see many disabled animals on t.v. For many of those adoption fair visitors, it may have been their first time seeing/conceiving the existence of a blind, healthy, happy animal. Touching and seeing Suzi made her and others like her, human and animal, 'real' and therefore 'acceptable' to many, I should think.
Posted by: Stephanie in NC | November 20, 2010 at 02:00 PM
I love when two friends find each other. That just makes my day. She is so beautiful. And, really, aren't we all flawed in some way. I will just never understand people that stare at what is a "flaw" and instead they miss the most beautiful thing of all, the soul!
Posted by: Cheryl Kovalik | November 19, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Oh Briggs is one dapper guy, what a sweetie! And Suzie is lovely, people can be so cold sometimes. Probably Berke Breathed says it best in Flawed Dogs, a great book for the young and young of heart-
"So in this world of the simple and odd, the bent and the plain,the unbalanced bod,the imperfect people and differently pawed, some live without love-that's how they're flawed."
Suzi isn't flawed at all, she's loved.
Posted by: vida | November 18, 2010 at 07:28 PM
How sad that people could see only what Suzi didn't have -- eyes -- and not all that she did have -- life, heart, and soul. Thank you for taking Suzi into your home and your hearts.
Posted by: Helen | November 18, 2010 at 05:18 PM
After a couple of tough weeks there on the Ranch. I am so glad that Snuggles found a forever home. Now you are blessed with such a sweet girl in Suzi.
WELCOME HOME SUZI WELCOME HOME
Posted by: Eric | November 18, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Suzi may seem demure, but the way she rocks that 80's coiffure tells me she has the soul of a rocker. Joan Jett would be proud to share the stage with Ms. Suzi! (http://www.doubleleafwig.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/212.jpg)
Posted by: glenn | November 18, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Welcome Suzy!!!!
And VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!
Posted by: penny heinrich | November 18, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Oh, she is GORGEOUS!! Suzi looks so soft and cuddly, very squeezable, and with your description of her personality it seems like it fits her look perfectly. Welcome Suzi to the best place around, I know all about the shy and timid thing, but I'm sure you'll blossom real soon.
However I'm not so sure that Briggs will be able to hang onto this new girl for too long, she's bound to be snapped up soon!
Thank you to all involved for all the loving, caring and educating. Slowly but surely the message is spreading.
Hugs and squeezes to all.
Posted by: bregda (south africa) | November 18, 2010 at 01:50 AM
PLEASE KEEP VOTING IN THE SHELTER CONTEST. TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW...THIRD PLACE IS CATCHING UP FAST!!
Oh my gosh, Suzi is such a beauty! How anyone could think otherwise is beyond my comprehention. Many thanks to Anne for rescuing and taking such wonderful care of RDR's newest girl and to Lisa for helping to get her there! Suzi, you have come to the best place that you can ever imagine...Steve and Alayne are the best!
I laughed so hard at Briggs, what a Cassavnova he is. So glad that he has welcomed Suzi and I know that they will be the best of friends!
Posted by: Ann | November 17, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Briggs has such a hopeful look on his face. Hope that once Suzi gets comfortable she won't dump him. Maybe you could get him a pucca shell necklace so he looks more like the disco king he thinks he is. It'll build up his morale.
Posted by: Bob | November 17, 2010 at 09:08 PM
Adorable!! That tuft (thanks for the word Barb, I couldn't think of it earlier!) of hair is just too darn cute for words. I can't help but smile when I look at that first photo. :-)
I so enjoy posts such as this one that describe individual personalities. I feel like I know your animals, as if I'd spent time with them, thanks to your writing.
Thank goodness for rescuers like Anne and her friend Lisa. I so admire you all~~~
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | November 17, 2010 at 04:56 PM
I still think you should have your own reality show like Pitbulls and Parolees, Best Friends etc. I still wish someone had documented your move to another state. I think it would have been fascinating. All the logistics and organization of that - amazing. You are wonderful people, What a wonderful life. I think I can imagine the backbreaking work it takes. I know it takes a lot just caring for one antique Dachshund.
So happy she is with you. I bet she will be adopted really quick... I just bet she will.
Love and Happy Thaksgiving.
Posted by: Marene&Ali | November 17, 2010 at 04:33 PM
Suzi...you are so precious!
It looks like Suzi is about to be a very happy girl!Congradulations on a great choice for a girlfriend, Briggs~
Posted by: Glenda | November 17, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Welcome Suzi girl! You are such a doll, and I wonder... what with Mr. Briggs & you hitting it off so well, maybe this will be your forever home? Hmmm ...
God bless you Steve and Alayne for taking in another precious doggie in need. It is a pleasure to help support the wonderful work of RDR and I encourage others to do whatever they can by donating. :-)
Posted by: Lisa K. from CA | November 17, 2010 at 01:18 PM
I am looking forward to hearing how Suzi blooms at RDR, you all know she will, look at how well Ella did. Hugs to Briggs and his suave charm. He'll show her around, in a blind leading the blind kind of fashion. Kelly in NY, you are right...even with eyes that have 20/20 vision, some people just cant "see" the wonder and beauty in front of them. Bless you Anne for all the work you have done for Suzi. You need not worry about her now. And thank you Gail for getting her to RDR safely (& Snuggles out west safely.) Welcome Suzi, here's lookin' at you ;)
Posted by: Anne in Florida | November 17, 2010 at 01:08 PM
Suzy is precious! Absolutely adorable. Her face is very expressive... how could you not love that? Thank goodness her rescuer didn't give up on her.
Coincidentally, there's a beautiful shepherd mix at Best Friends (in the Guardian Angel program) who just had to have her eyes removed for the same reason. She's apparently taking it quite well and adjusting beautifully.
Here's hoping both of them find wonderful homes!
Posted by: Linda | November 17, 2010 at 01:03 PM
Poor timid Suzi doesn't realize how much power she actually has. She just snagged herself the best place to live this side of heaven AND a boyfriend to boot! Soak up the love Suzi, you're home!
Posted by: Miranda | November 17, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Suzi, honey, you HAVE come to the right place! Bless everyone involved in her rescue -- you all are so special. I wish you would adopt me!
Posted by: SarahP | November 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Suzi Q, you're beautiful! I'm so glad you had wonderful Anne who loved you & helped you get rid of your painful eyes. I'm so grateful also for Lisa S. who paid for your transportation to the Haven on Earth, RDR! Some people are just ignorart, so I know now you are going to bloom. You are surrounded by love and lots of support where being "normal" isn't normal at all.
Sending big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | November 17, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Welcome Suzi. What a great photo with that fuzzy tuft of hair in front. She's a cutie. And it was most gracious of Briggs to welcome her and make her feel at home. I'm sure she'll be meeting more of the gang soon. So glad she's found such a wonderful place. Thank you Anne for caring!
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | November 17, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Welcome Suzi!! You will have a wonderful life at RDR and make lots of new friends who will help you over your shyness!
I have to admit the first time I saw the horses, dogs and cats at the ranch back in MT, with no eyes it was a little freaky. But then I didn't notice it after awhile. It was just a part of who they were. My own dog Levi, had to have his eyes removed due to him developing ulcers, which were very painful. It was a hard decision at first as I didn’t want him to have no eyes. You know it’s this society of ours that tells us if we aren’t perfect, than we are outcasts. Well I wised up and Levi had his surgery and he is SO much happier!! I have to thank my sister (LuAnn) for introducing me to RDR and for Steve and Alayne for “educating” me on disabled animals! I would not have Levi or Timmy in my life without them. They are the best dogs!! Thank you!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | November 17, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Shame on the heartless freaks that would "view" Suzi as a "freak" and hold her up to ridicule. They are the ones that should have been caged and held up to ridicule. They've certainly earned mine!!!!!
Have to vote twice at the other site to get RDR into both categories. They won't allow a vote in both catagories on one ballot. Go figure!
Briggs, I love your heart. Thanks for giving Suzi some confidence.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | November 17, 2010 at 11:33 AM
What a precious couple - and I had my usual great big laughs reading the story of the suave and debonair Briggs at work. I am all the more convinced you guys should write a book - it would be a hit!! Enjoy the love, little Suzi!
Posted by: Angela | November 17, 2010 at 11:30 AM
She's beautiful!
Posted by: Dawn | November 17, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Welcome, Little Suzy! You have found a forever furry friend in Briggs & a very special place to live at RDR. My heart jolted when I read what Anne said in her email. It makes me so sad over the ignorance of some but I pray daily for that to change.
I saw RDR on the list yesterday & voted) when I was voting for "Surf Dog Ricochet" who is a pup that is helping others by raising awareness/funds 4 human/animal causes. You can see her story on FB. What's great about this voting is you can vote in different categories so you can vote for RDR in their category but can place a vote for another friend to animals that are all doing wonderful work just like RDR.
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | November 17, 2010 at 09:45 AM
I'm so glad Briggs welcomed Suzi and made her feel at home. Very sweet!
Posted by: Tammy Stanton | November 17, 2010 at 09:31 AM
I do know how people react to an animal with eyes. I adopted a one eyed cat at the vet when no one else wanted her. She was a total love bug and we were so glad to have her. She lived with us another 8 years before crossing rainbow bridge.
Posted by: Margy in KY | November 17, 2010 at 09:14 AM
What a great story about another of God's precious creatures. Steve you almost made me spit my coffee all over the computer I was laughing so hard at Brigg's "cool and suave" manner. And we all know that the only "freaks" out there are all those who really can't see whether they have eyes or not.
Welcome to a great life Suzi, you deserve it.
Posted by: Kelly from NY | November 17, 2010 at 09:12 AM
So happy to see that Suzi has found a home with you. She's beautiful. With Briggs in the picture, she's sure to be in for some good times.
Posted by: Ashley | November 17, 2010 at 07:56 AM
What a beautiful little girl - and not a 'freak' at all. People can be so cruel! I love how she has found herself a new 'beau' who can focus beyond her disability. They are a very cute together - a match made in heaven/Rolling Dog Ranch (one in the same)!
Posted by: Becky in Bedford NH | November 17, 2010 at 06:12 AM
Oh, I would take Suzi in a heartbeat if there were a way! What a lovely, fluffy, sweet-looking gal. Look out for Briggs, Suzi, he cozies up to al the ladies - - or tries to!
Steve, I love that first photo. It's eloquent. Kudos to all the lovely people involved in Suzi's rescue.
Posted by: Moon Rani | November 17, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Suzi's life is looking up! She may have had some bumps on her road that left her shy, but she seems to have a rosy future ahead of her. I bet Briggs and the crew will help her come out of her shell. No one can feel sorry for her anymore, she is a lucky ducky!
Posted by: Sarah W | November 17, 2010 at 12:10 AM
What a precious little girl (and couple!!!)
Posted by: Leila - Washington | November 16, 2010 at 11:38 PM
Wow~ talk about all of the emotions in one post! Tears, happiness, laughter, heartwarming. Way to go Briggs! You got quite a girl in Suzi!
Steve, thanks for writing such an eloquent post! Looking forward to hearing more on this "new romance."
Posted by: Doe George | November 16, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Well, we know exactly how she'll be appreciated at RDR. And since when is blindness "freaky?" People need to get out more and realize that nature is not "perfect" and that blindness is not an imperfection. Suzi you just sit back and relax in the best place around.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | November 16, 2010 at 07:53 PM
What a heart warming blog--thank you Steve and Alayne. Voted for the other site--looks like it's a one time shot! Anytime I can vote of RDR it's is an HONOR!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | November 16, 2010 at 07:37 PM