A blind dog named Spike, and his companion Max the cat, are looking for a forever home.
Saving Grace Animal Society said the pair, both eight years old, have lived together all their lives and were given up by their owners who felt the outdoor pets now needed to live indoors.
“We get a lot of bonded pairs of dogs, and bonded pairs of cats. But this is our first bonded cat and dog,” said Amanda McClughan, development director at the animal shelter in Alix.
Spike, a medium-sized mixed breed, had severe cataracts and has already undergone surgery to remove his eyes. He will need about two weeks to recover.
Currently, Spike and Max are spending time together in the shelter’s daycare area a few times a day.
McClughan said Max is more like a companion, or support animal, for Spike who he can smell and feel which helps lower the blind dog’s anxiety.
“It’s not so much that Spike leads him around. Blind dogs do figure things out on their own. Once they know their surroundings they are able to move around fairly well.”
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She said a lot of requests have already come in to adopt the pair, but they won’t be available for adoption for a few weeks and the shelter does not accept applications in advance.
A nice, quiet home would best suit them, and adjusting to the indoors should be easy, McClughan said.
“Max has been doing really well being inside the shelter. He seems to have settled in quite nicely. For Spike, he just wants a nice, warm space to curl up in, so I think it will be a good transition.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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