Petrolia, a twenty pound JRT came into our care two years ago as a former breeding dog, discarded in a farmer field and left to fend for herself. Covered in sores and blood and after a traumatic existence prior to her rescue her spirit was broken. Untrained, unloved she would stand a stare at the walls, didn’t know what a toy was for, and I was told she was deaf as she responded to nothing. I had to instill positive reinforcement with Petrolia, and started out by climbing in her doggie bad a few times a day, just to hold her and talk to her. I also researched American Sign Language and started signing to her, and of course a very long training process. One day while watching TV I accidently turned the volume up, and her head whipped up and she looked at the TV. I started to experiment with different sounds and was thrilled to learn she wasn’t totally deaf, but indeed was hard of hearing.
Petrolia also came to me with uncontrollable scratching to the point of bleeding and hair loss. After six months of trying to find a medication that would control her “Environmental Allergies” it was also discovered she is completely blind in her right eye, and limited vision in her left.
Progress has been slow, but now there is a bounce in her step, she answers me when I very loudly call her name, and she loves her toy ball.
She must take her allergy pills every day, and unfortunately one day will go completely blind, but in the meantime she is enjoying her new life, and loves to play with her foster sisters and brothers. I’m so very proud of her, amazing what a little love can do.
