I'm a one-eyed, tailless, special needs Shih Tzu mix who was found wandering the streets of Downtown Orlando. I found my forever home on November 9th, 2012, when my mom rescued me from Orange County Animal Services in Orlando, Florida. I was listed as a "stray" and my temperament was fearful. I would hide in the back of my pen while the Chihuahua sharing my cage barked uncontrollably and tried to
jump on me. I sat there miserable and silent, gazing at the passersby. My mom didn't know, but at the time, I had severe migraines and my eye was in awful pain! The shelter estimated that I was about five years old; however, after various vet exams, the veterinarians decided that I'm between 7 & 10 years old. I've suffered some health issues over the years and my previous owners did not care for me well. :( I was found roaming around in Downtown Orlando between Michigan and Orange Avenue. My left eye was missing and I had an ulcer in my remaining right eye. My eye was extremely dry and cloudy, and there was crust surrounding it - it hurt to even blink! Unbeknownst to my mom, this was my second visit to the Animal Shelter - on my first visit, the shelter's vet noted that my eyes were severely ulcerated and that I had dry eye. I needed daily eye gel to treat my condition and prevent it from worsening, but my owners did not provide me with this medicine. At this time, a nice lady from a rescue group (my mom doesn't know the group's name!) adopted me and had my left eye removed, as it was in severely bad shape! The vet also had to remove my tail because it was severely injured and missing skin. :(
Then, my original owner, who didn't take care of me, wanted me back! The nice lady at the rescue group granted them their wish, but shortly after, I ended up abandoned downtown for yet a second time. I was so confused how or why this would happen to me. Although I was the sweetest dog in the world, I developed food aggression because I had to fight for my food downtown. I only had one eye and my remaining eye had an untreated ulcer, so I had trouble seeing. I was in pain and very confused down there all alone. I was constantly on guard in an attempt to defend myself against all the strangers and other animals. It was horrible. Luckily, animal control found me again. This time around, the nice lady from the pet rescue group wanted to adopt me once again and care for me. However, my mom showed up and submitted an adoption application. The lady decided to let my mom have me! The shelter explained to my mom that I was a special needs case who would need medication for the rest of my life. In fact, in my paperwork, the vet said: "The tail injury may not necessarily be due to trauma. Self mutilation can occur particularly in breeds of this type. Even with amputation of the tail and behavior modification drugs, there is no guarantee that the dog will not continue to chew in that area. The eyes will require medication and possibly even surgery and then lifelong medicating. NOT A GOOD ADOPTION CANDIDATE." It's a good thing my mom didn't listen! Instead, she waited patiently for my adoption approval and came to visit me every single day until my release. She would pet me and take me outside in the fenced in yard so that I could walk around and smell the grass. I love being outside! Then, she was finally able to take me home! :)
After many vet visits and some good medication, I can happily say my eye ulcer has healed. Although there will always be scar tissue on my cornea, impairing half of my vision, I no longer have migraines or boogers in my eye. It feels much better! My mom and dad give me Optimmune Eye Ointment twice a day to keep my little eye nice and wet! That way I can run and play outside in the grass and get a good look at my yummy kibbles before I chow down! Sometimes large bushes still sneak up on me, but I am such a happy pup. I'm so glad I had a second chance at life! :)
Now, it's your turn to save a life. Please don't shop, adopt! There are so many innocent animals that need a loving home. You can save a life. I'm counting on you!!!
