Foster Spot Light Echo
Echo’s Story
And thrive he did, it only took a few days for him to start to build confidence in our home with our dogs and his new environment.
After a few days with us I noticed he wasn’t responding to voices and wasn’t tracking where sounds were coming from, we tested him in our hallway standing completely still we called him from either side of our long hallway… My heart shattered he couldn’t locate us. No vibrations no scent to follow just sound and he didn’t respond, he looked lost. That night I couldn’t sleep I knew right then he was going to have another challenge added to his young life. The next day the vet confirmed. Deaf. The positive he said was I think he has some vision get him into see a specialist.
I franticly searched for ways to train a deaf and blind puppy. Not only is he a puppy he is a heeler puppy. High energy, he would need a job, stimulation, activity we had to find ways to keep his mind working.
We started with sensory toys, my loving friends and follows who always send us so much love when a new foster enters our home didn’t disappoint. scenery toys filled his play pen.
In our search to keep our little heeler busy, we decided he needed to learn how to walk on a leash… For some reason this was one of the most frustrating feelings I felt in foster. When I have a foster I start walks carrying them on my chest while our resident dogs on for their walk. This gets them used to being outside, new smells and sounds. he would SCREAM! as if he was being hurt neighbors would stare as I carried a screaming puppy for blocks. he was scared. unsure. he didnt feel safe and I felt so much hurt that I couldn’t comfort him. I/we had to push forward, force him out of his comfort zone- the house. he had to go outside and have experiences. is where I found the most comfort. I had so many questions and the response I received was overwhelming I learned how to touch train him, and our angels sent us a muffins halo. I cried when I read about the non profit https://secondchancesforblinddogs.org/ created from love they asked if they could send our Echo a muffins halo.
I received a message from a friend while I was on vacation in Mexico she had just saved a puppy from euthination due to `being visually impaired, he would not be suitable for sale. But he was very much suitable for love and a happily ever after.
This tiny white freckled piglet fox arrived at our home feeling shy and insecure I remember watching him nap on Jims lap for hours while we sipped wine with friends and thought this poor soul will he ever thrive?
Next faze, walking on leash. most of the walk I carried him, and he cried. I would put him on the side walk or grass to smell and feel his sisters were near… he would take a few steps then cry. We decided we needed to try something Echo foster mom and foster dad. We grabbed a bag of treats I held his leash gave little tugs and jim would walk backwards a few feet in front of Echo tenting him with treats, at first I felt like this isn’t going to work but slowly we made our way on our slowest trip around the block but we did it, he did it! he walked the entire block! And thats how it began, slowly but he got it he was a leash walker. Walking with our pack, Jim with Rhona and Romi in front, and Me with Echo and Rory in the back he followed his group, and you could tell he was so confident and proud of himself. The neighborhood loved him
Before we knew it, 6 weeks had gone by, we knew who this little boy was, what would be best for his life after his life with us and on May 8th Each graduated to his forever family. The truth is fostering is rewarding and hard and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who has love in their heart and a willingness to grow. Deciding to let Echo move on was at the time the hardest decision in rescue we have ever done. Part of us so badly wanted him to spend forever with us but I wanted to give him the opportunity to find a place better then ours.
Echo Wanderlustadopted at 16 weeksqueensland blue heelervision and hearing impairment.visit for more adoptable dogs
https://www.roadogsandrescue.org/
