This is something we haven't done before, and I don't know why -- but from now on when we post any of our animals on PetFinder for adoption, we're also going to post them on the blog so our long-time readers will know they're available for adoption. The blog has helped "arrange" many wonderful adoptions in recent years, so it only makes sense to mention here when we have made new additions to our PetFinder page.
So ... this weekend we officially listed Spencer and Katie on PetFinder. They are our impossibly cute, blind-and-deaf Dachshund pair, a brother and sister who are intensely bonded with each other. Yes, we want to adopt them out together.
You'd never think they are blind and deaf when you watch them running around, playing with each other, roughhousing with other dogs, and generally having the time of their lives. Because they were born blind and deaf, they have no idea they are disabled -- they just assume the world is a quiet and dark place, and we're all navigating around in it just like they are. That makes them pretty fearless and inquisitive -- Katie in particular is quite the explorer.
Why list them now? No specific reason -- but with spring here (well, in most places), it seemed a pretty good time. Our sense is that adoptions increase when the weather warms up. We'll be adding a couple more in the coming week.
Of course, as we say on our website's Adoptions page, we only have a handful of our animals listed on PetFinder at any one time, but that doesn't mean others here aren't necessarily available. Just email me if you're interested in an animal who isn't on PetFinder. Whether they are or aren't available depends on a lot of variables, and sometimes changes. For example, we've had blind Samantha on PetFinder for a couple of years now without a single inquiry; I just took her off this weekend because of her advancing age and declining health.
Spencer and Katie will fill a special someone's home with love and joy, so if you'd like to bring them into your family, please let me know. Serious inquiries only, and you'll have to travel to New Hampshire to meet us and them (unless we already know you).
Here they are from last summer ... hopefully those days will be back again soon!
Are they double-dapple?
Posted by: Suzanne Hinson | August 02, 2011 at 07:59 PM
You bring up a good point about Katie and Spencer -- that they don't know they're "disabled." Like us, we can accomplish so much when people aren't pointing out our 'limitations'.
Posted by: Chris | April 03, 2011 at 02:02 PM
How lucky someone will be who gets to bring these two sweethearts into their lives! I adore the pictures of them laying together.
Posted by: Barbara Techel | April 01, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Would Alayna share her dogfood recipe with us??
Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: Marene&Ali | March 30, 2011 at 02:46 PM
I think a video of the 2 doing what you described - being impossibly cute would help. I am a Dachshundist, but have a 16 yr old so now is not the time. Wish I could.
I think videos of lots of the dogs would help people see that they are not disabled. Just differently abled.
They must absolutely stay together. They function as one big dog.
Posted by: Marene&Ali | March 30, 2011 at 02:44 PM
I have never seen a dog that looks anything like Baron until these two came to the ranch. Maybe Baron is a long lost sibling!! I hope these precious babies make it to a forever home full of love and playtime.
Posted by: Wendy M. | March 30, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I agree with everyone- they are SO dear, and bonded, and only wish I had the right situation... It's a great idea posting to the blog. I am sure more of your RDR miracles will happen.
Posted by: Margaret | March 29, 2011 at 11:07 AM
I like Linda's "requirement" for mandatory updates.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | March 28, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Those 2 are a couple of sweethearts.
I felt a bit sad initially thinking of them leaving RDR, but in the bigger picture I know that they will only be going to their most perfect home and that 2 new residents will then be arriving in their place.
Hoping for warm sunny weather for you all this coming week.
Posted by: Chloe | March 28, 2011 at 10:50 AM
I sure hope that when you write,"we want them to stay together" translates into we "insist" they stay together!
Precious babies - I hope a (fortunate) RDR reader nabs 'em! Wish it could be me. :-)
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | March 28, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Oh, what I wouldn't give to be able to bring them home with me! One of my 2 dogs is not a happy camper when other dogs come over, so unfortunately, I can't bring another furkid into my home until the day she's not with me anymore.
But oh my, if I could I'd adopt Spencer and Katie in a heartbeat! I hope they find a wonderful forever home with a loving family very soon and that this family will keep in touch with RDR with updates!
Posted by: Ann | March 28, 2011 at 02:52 AM
Please put a condition on any potential adoption that updates for the rest of use are mandatory! They are impossibly cute and sweet. The world may be a quiet, dark place but it's full of love and happiness.
Posted by: Linda | March 27, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I'd like to have them all...
Love everywhere!
Posted by: Glenda | March 27, 2011 at 09:24 PM
It seems kind of funny to think of finding them a "forever" home since I think of RDR as a "forever" home. But I understand and know that you vet, very carefully, your residents' potential new homes.
Still, it made me a little sad. But not if they stay toge6her. They've got to stay together.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | March 27, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Best wishes to Kate and Spencer and to all the RDR pets who need permanent homes! I saw that Smilin' Sam was available for adoption, but I also saw that she needs a home without other pets. That was my problem, you see, I have pets. I was very sorry about that because she's obviously a sweetheart.
Posted by: Moon Rani | March 27, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Best wishes to these two cutie-pies in finding a "forever" home. That said, I hope whomever adopts them stays in contact with RDR because they are yet more RDR residents that I have grown attached to.
Posted by: Marla from Kansas City | March 27, 2011 at 05:00 PM
They remind me of Baron who Wendy adopted along with blind Stoney---they will be great pets!!! Thanks for giving your supporters the chance to know they are up for adoption. It is obvious they ADORE each other!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | March 27, 2011 at 03:32 PM