Justin's Story
by Suzanne West and Justin's Mom, Laurie Borland
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I'd like to share with you a lovely story about a blind Border Collie that I helped rescue last summer. |
The background is that Justin was found tied in a barn, blind, where he had been kept for almost a year, because the farmer had no use for a blind Border Collie. Laurie, who lives in Birmingham, AL, asked my help in getting him treated and in placing him. He has Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and is totally blind. Laurie decided to keep him herself in the end, and, in her own words:
"I'm enclosing a photograph of the THREE of us so that you can see a picture of Justin's other roommate, "Wascally Wabbit". Both critters roam free in my house, and sometimes snuggle up together on the floor (the bunny is potty trained, by the way). Justin has never snapped or growled at Wascal. I am amazed at his level of tolerance - sometimes the rabbit even bounces across his tummy on her way to the other side of the den, and Justin doesn't flinch at all. Wascal likes to sniff around Justin's nose and ears while he naps. I don't know of any other dog who would put up with a rabbit as a roommate.
Justin has adjusted very well to city life. I never use a leash on him, even though he is blind. Every day, we jog a block down to the park, and he runs right behind me, listening for the sound of my feet. But it was his learning curve for vocabulary that really amazed me. Without knowing I was teaching him words, he picked up on all my little phrases and casual comments.
Whenever he hears "watch out", he quickly moves left or right, knowing it means he's about to run into something. He knows "this way" means to follow closer behind me, "step up" and "step down" for steps and curbs. "Hold on a minute" means we're waiting for traffic to go by, and "okay" means we can cross. His response is distinct and immediate to all my little homemade commands. He is the smartest dog I have ever known.
I hope one day we will be able to eliminate PRA, but Justin is a happy boy, living a pampered life in Birmingham. I hope one day when I make it to the country, to have a playmate for him other than a bunny!!!"
Here's hoping that every "special needs" dog or cat finds someone as sensitive and caring as Laurie.