Reader Rescues: Jack the Blind Beagle
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59 commentsIn October of last year, a friend on Facebook posted a picture of a beagle that needed rescue. The Decatur County Animal Shelter in Indiana came across him at Cottonwood Lake. After time, no one seemed interested in adopting Jack, so Beagle Buddies Rescue Group stepped up. He wasn’t an ordinary dog, he had special needs. He had only 1 eye, (the other was surgically removed sometime in the past). He was completely blind in his remaining eye. He had a broken hip and needed surgery. He could not bear weight on his leg, so he held it up while walking on 3 legs. Despite all of this, he was a HAPPY dog! I saw a video of him on Facebook, and his tail was constantly wagging.
We already had a 10 year old beagle, and had been thinking for a long while that we wanted another. I thought Jack would be perfect because he wasn’t a high energy puppy. He would fit right in with a senior dog. My 4 year old daughter and I met him at his foster parents’ home and fell in love. Soon enough, Jack was on his way to his furever home. After giving him plenty of love and affection, he began to trust our voices to guide him. Within a day or two, he responded to his name and learned his way around our house. At first he would prance around timidly, but now he can navigate every turn and corner without even brushing up against anything! We made a faux staircase out of boxes so Jack could reach our high bed. I patted the steps while I called his name, and praised him while he jumped up onto the bed. It literally only took Jack one try to learn to use the steps (while only using 3 legs!)
We immediately got his needed hip surgery. Within weeks he was walking on all fours, and soo happy to do so! It brought our family great joy to see him running around the backyard and through the snow! This Spring he became ill so we scheduled to have his other eye removed (pressure made it painful for him), and during the pre-op work they discovered his liver enzymes were 10x higher than normal. After many tests and a lengthy hospital stay, his diagnosis was Hepatitis. We also discovered he has Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He received wonderful care from his veterinarian, Dr. Amy Smith, and soon he was feeling well enough to proceed with the eye removal surgery.
Here is a pic of my sweet Jack I took today. He is 1 week post-op from his eye surgery.
Already blind, he is recovering quite well. It is hard to believe that someone loved this dog at one time and quit doing so. He is AMAZING!!!! So sweet and content just to be laying by your side.
We get a lot of comments that Jack is so lucky to be adopted by a wonderful family that cares for him..We feel like we are the lucky ones. Jack has had a hard life, but he doesn’t show it. When he gets knocked down, he always gets back up; with his tail wagging and an extended paw swiping at your side to pet him. If anyone is thinking about adopting, I highly recommend a rescue group. Jack has required a lot of medical care, but our expense has been minimal. A lot of his care was paid for with donations the rescue group raised. They also paid for his initial vetting including heartworm tests, neutering, shots, etc… Rescue dogs often have had rough lives, so they crave love and affection. They make great family pets!
Our humans had a cockapoo who lost both of his eyes to extremely painful glaucoma too, a year apart for the surgeries. He also had a bad back hip. He did great being blind until the family moved to a new home with lots of stairs and very confusing floor plans to him. He was 13 at the time. He didn’t do as well but still managed with lots of help from the family.
God bless you for giving Jack a wonderful life.
Happy Memorial Day!
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
very impressed that he is adopted by wonderful family. come to tears and happy for jack.. i love dogs all my life.. do u have deaf beagle or 1 blind eye or 3 legged beagle thanks
I know the feeling of being the blessed and fortunate one when a pet adoption occurs. All of my animals have been a wondrous blessing to me. I am also stymied, as are you, that someone stopped loving your remarkable dog. Given that I believe that God brings animals and people together for a reason, however, I am glad he’s with you no matter how he arrived. You belong with him and he with you. You saw past injury and disability into the heart of the dog. God bless you all and may he live a long and happy life with you!
Hats off to all of you out there who are adopting pets! Everyones life is effected who comes into contact with these stories. Keep loving animals like you do.
Hope he does well. Sweet looking pooch!
Oh my goodness. What a heartwarming story. So grateful to know that people like you exist in this world. What a great pup he seems to be. Such a wonderful little spirit. Give him lots of Love from me n my dogs. <3 I hope you have many happy years together.
Wonderful story with a happy ending. Blessings to Jack’s new family for taking him in and loving him. I am certain he will repay your love and kindness 1000 times over. Beagles are awesome dogs.
I had a cocker spaniel that lost both of her eyes to glacoma 6 months apart. She did great! She used to chase our foster kittens, pick them up and carry them around like a momma cat! It wasn’t until she got older and her hearing got bad that she started to have trouble. We were blessed to have her around to show us the courage & strength us humans sometimes forget. I miss you Holly, Holly, no eyebally!
Holly, Holly, no eyebally. My husband and I (Jack’s parents) really cracked up at this!
Bless you for loving a special “special needs” dog like Jack. I recently lost my very elderly gentleman dog. He wasn’t “special needs” except for being old and on several medications for low thyroid and COPD. He was arthritic and hard of hearing and also didn’t see all that well from old age. I miss him bunches.
Blindness doesn’t have to be a problem for dogs, as this story would prove. We had a Pomeranian that went blind from Diabetes. You never would have been able to tell. She knew where everything was in her little world, and got around fine. In return, you get an extra sweet friend who knows how much you love them for helping them adjust
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We too have a beagle and a long hair doxie mix. Mix with what?? who knows and who cares! Both of these babies control our house and hearts. They are not special needs and are both still young. I want to thank you for your story and opening your heart and home to Jack. Gotta love a beagle
Sweet puppy! I LOVE Beagles!
So sweet. Rescue dogs are the best, makes me want to go home and hug my doggies!
OMG! I had an eyeless dachshund! Eyeless dogs RULE! They are REALLY awesome as nothing stops them!
love Jack. that’s my dog’s name too
This is so sad but at least he has a chance for some one to take him
Great story! Rescue dogs are very appreciative and Jack is a very lucky dog to have found such a loving home.
So heartwarming! so glad he found his happy home! What a deserving little boy
He sure is. We have a blind Chihuahua, we found her wandering on the street. Took her a little while to trusts people again, lots of patience and love, but being blind does not stop her, she is happy, playful and gets around the house very well. They are truly amazing and deserve to be treated with love and respect!
Beautiful story-thank you for sharing. I hope more read this and go on to rescue as you did
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We are amazed at these stories. Like Jack, we couldn’t believe someone gave our Cleo up as an adult. It was like we won the Lottery when we found her at the SF/SPCA
our lab mix Trixie..the dog from hell went blind-she had glaucoma so we had her eye “killed” rather than remove it since she was 13. she eventually lost site in her other eye-we taught her “careful” when she got close to things and she was still a door dasher. we had to make the decision to put her to sleep when she was 2 months shy of 15. she never lost her spunk. I miss her every day-its been 5 yrs now. I have 2 aussies that are 2 a cairn that will be 2 and our old girl Eliza who is 13-she has cushings but still lively. disease does not stop them. its going to be tough to make that decision for Eliza she was Trixies best bud.
Such a sweet & wonderful story! I love happy endings and am so glad Jack is doing okay!!
What a great story. I cried a little!
Such a beautiful story and family
what a wonderful story!
This is just what I needed to counteract the crapiness of my morning:) I am so thankful for people like Jack’s owners and I hope the wonderful muchkin continues to be happy & carefree:)
I think what you have done is amazing and courageous! Special dogs are meant for special people. Boxer butt wiggles and love being sent your way!
A really heart warming story – I’m so happy for Jack that he found such a generous hearted family & I’m so happy for the Steams that they found such a happy, brave, loving dog. What’s that saying about ‘like attracts like’ – certainly true here & I wish them all many more happy years together.
Rescue dogs KNOW that you have done something very special for them. We have a 18 year old Aussie girl we rescued from deathrow when she was one. We also have an 11 year old yellow lab that was given to us (from a bad situation I will say) when she was 6 weeks old. Labby girl thinks she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth….always needs to be first for everything…patient little Aussie girl will always let Abby the Labby have her way as far as butting in….but her eyes always say to us…it’s okay…I know how much you love me…Abby doesn’t know what it’s like to be in “need”. Rescued is my favorite breed…as the website says…
All of my dogs have been rescues. Crystal is my second Beagle and was on the streets for about three years the vet said when I asked why the bottom of her paws were pink. He said the pads had worn off. I kept trying to get what I thought was dirt off her face and was told they were scars from dog fights. She’s 13 now and still beautiful, but deaf. I use hand motions and her rescue brother, Lucky, helps me get her attention.
I commend you for taking in Jack. He is a handsome Beagle and they are so loving and gentle. I always recommend Beagles to those who have children due to their nature. Jack is now loved and taken care of properly by your family. Hard to say who’s the luckiest..Jack or your family. God bless for caring for him.
brought tears to my eyes reading Jack cared by a loving family.
God bless him…sweetest lil guy
I’m Jack’s Mom! Thanks for all the sweet replies. For those of you that feel bad for him, please don’t. I promise you he is just as happy as any other dog! Even though he doesn’t have eyes, he still gets a lot of joy out of life. Just like your dog, he loves going for walks, snuggling, and sniffing around the yard
One of the most heartwarming posts on fb. Jack – ur family ROCKS!!! I know one of them will read this post to you. Continue to use your special senses to be the awesome pooch you are. I love this story, reposted it, and pray that your special family will spark a flame in others to give a special needs pet a chance. <3
christy..you are AMAZING! seriously LOVE this story..and for anyone that rescues… it means a ton that you did that. I love him..he is great.
Amazing story….amazing dog..and people. <3
it’s nice to read a feel good story. with all the horrors we hear on a daily basis about animal abuse, this story touches my heart and makes me happy. jack looks like a happy dog and i’m glad he’s found love and affection with his new owners.
Great job Christy and Beagle Buddies !
stories like this give hope that not all humankind are evil
God Bless you Christy! im so happy that he is loved
What a wonderful story. We have 2 rescued greyhounds and we have fostered many on their way to their “forever homes”. I do think that the rescued dogs know that they have been rescued and are grateful to go to a loving home. They will give you tenfold what you give to them. They have made out life so much more than I ever thought it could be.
Do not hesitate to rescue a dog….you will never be sorry::)))
Any questions re: greyhound rescue go to http://www.rescuedgreyhounds.com
What a wonderful awesome story! I am so grateful that you have each other to love. In a world full of so much cruelty and pain, stories like this help keep me pain. Thank you again.
Amazing story. I have two rescues myself…..and when the time comes I will get another. Thanks for sharing your story.
He is a very lucky doggy to have find such a loving home. I hope he will live a long long life
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Tears flowed heavily as I read this story. We also rescue from local shelters! Good for you seeing something in Jack no one else did! Good luck with your ventures with Jack and his pals…..enjoy & cherish it all……..the ride is worth every second believe me I know<)
Your dog is so precious. May god bless him.this story really touched my heart.god bless you also for taking him in and giving him a loving home!!
So awesome of you to take this dog in!
What a wonderful story …. you have done service to the dog world by taking in this wonderful boy .. may you have many more years with Jack.
It’s so touching BUT full of joyfulness and happy ending!!! Thanks a zillion to your unconditional love to help our poor furry friends who are suffering from such a critical situation. Best wishes to you, your family and of course, to your furry buddies too!!! Xxxxx Catherine from Hong Kong
God will surely bless you and your family,I do think God placed Jack in your life,he knew your heart.I had a mini rat terrier that went blind,but he had diabetes.We had to put him down,but we rescued another.Bless you!Give him a big Tennessee smooch!
Jack is teaching you and everyone he comes in contact with ..that life is what you make it..accept what is, adjust as best, and continue on your journey on this earth…he is indeed a special teacher…bless the family with the big hearts…it’s a win, win…hugs to Jack for being so brave…
What a great story!! Thank you for giving Jack a good home and a second chance!! Love the pictures!!
Woofs and Kisses!
The Fiesty Three
WOW, what a sweet good true story with happy ending. To the rescue who took a chance to give him the commitment/vetting to make his life better and the vet who make this happen and the sponsors/donations who all worked for Jack – KUDOS to you all and to the family who gave him the home, love and chance for a forever home, both of you found each other are so lucky too.
bless you
Oh wow, this is amazing. Beautiful! Hearts in Fur Coats
wow that is very amazing and blessing on him.. does he still need to be adopted?? let me know thanks
pls just put bette no l or last name thanks