Belle and Her Furever Home

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

I'm Tom Farin and the proud new papa of a wonderful Labradoodle named Belle who is already a bit of a celebrity at this site.  Yes, were talking about the doodle formerly called IL-Belle at the DRC web site.

She's a celebrity because a lot of people were rooting for this blind doodle cutie to be adopted.  She is everything she was described in the listing and more.  She loves people.  In fact when we meet an owner/dog pair at the dog park or on our walks, she greets the owner before she greets the dog.  Almost everyone that meets her walks away without a clue that they just encountered a dog who cannot see.  She has adapted that well.  

I don't considerate her to be a handicapped dog and I don't feel sorry for her.  That is just fine with her.  She has one or two shortcomings relative to other dogs.  But she makes it up with heart.  Other than sight and because she can't see, her walk is a bit tentative.  As a result, the muscles in her front legs are a bit underdeveloped.  So for the last six days she has gone on a 1 1/2 hour aerobic walk.  She was tuckered out after the first two or three walks, but now she still has energy when we get done.

She's smart.  She's already mastered two new commands, "step up" and "step down."  To be perfectly honest, I was expecting adopting a blind dog to be challenging, even though our recently departed 13 year old chocolate lab, Coco was nearly blind at the end.  But Belle is making it easy.  She's already mind mapped the downstairs of the house.  As I indicated she is going up and down steps and climbing in and out of the car easily.  I figured it would take her longer than normal to adapt to her new home due to the fact she would have all the typical issues faced by a re-homed dog, plus the fact she couldn't see her new environment.  Maybe because this is the fifth new environment this doodle has had to adapt to in about 8 months, she has gotten to be pretty flexible.  But she's doing beautifully in less than a week.

We feel very lucky to have found her and grateful we were selected to adopt her.

Tom

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is such a happy ending for Belle and it is so wonderful that she found caring folks like you. I am very glad you let us know and that you are here on DK.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Welcome, Tom, it's so good to have you, Chari & Belle here on DK! I'm so happy for all of you.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Happy dance!!!!!  I think you all hit the jackpot!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I was watching this girl all along hoping that just the right family would come along for her.  It sounds like all my dreams came true for her as it sounds like you are the perfect family to help her settled into her new life and her new world.  I would of never dreamed she could go to the dog park without just being frightened.  Many thanks to you and your family for adopting her and giving her the wonderful home she deserves.  And, she is adorable to boot!

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

The 3 trips to the dog park have been interesting.  The contract I signed with DRC requires that I keep her on a leash even in a fenced area for the first week.  So she was the only dog in the park that was leashed.  Not a good idea.  An big overgrown puppy decided to bump chests with her in an invitation to play.  She didn't see him coming so was startled.  She had no place to go and freaked out a bit.  So I took her off leash.  The park is double-gated and she isn't much of a flight risk.

We're working on the word 'puppy' as a cue that another dog is coming.  She doesn't get it yet but it is a matter of time.  Her normal walk mode in the park the first two times was tentative.  She trails me because I think she senses that if she stays behind me and follows my scent and sounds that I won't lead her somewhere that would hurt her.

Normally when a dog/human team approaches she greets the human in an excited state with tail wagging.  Then she'll sniff the dog.  The only other time she reacted in a startled manner was when a big dog came out of nowhere and decided to sniff her private areas.  She whipped right around so she was face to face.  No growling, but she clearly was letting him know his behavior was unacceptable. 

The third time we visited the dog park, we walked down a gravel road that runs through the park.  I think she sensed it was wide and straight enough that she felt comfortable preceding me rather than following.  In no case does she allow me to get more than 40-50 feet away.

I think the dog park is important as she lived with at least 3 other dogs in her foster home.  So giving her a chance to socialize with other dogs has been a priority.  Overall, the dog park experience has been positive.

I made the comment in my last post that I don't feel sorry for her.  This dog just wants to be a dog.  She wants to be loved and give love like a dog, be fed good food, play some (we wrestle on the floor).  She approaches life with a smile on her face and a wagging tail. There has never been a sign of her trying to obtain sympathy (lifted paw limp, tail between legs, ears back, etc.)   She's a pretty tough cookie who has been through a lot and wants to enjoy life like a dog should.   And she's earned it.

So my job is to build her up physically, upgrade her food (switching to Orijen Adult) and see how far this really neat dog wants to go.  I really believe I may have adopted the best available dog on the DRC list.  A lot of people passed because she was carrying the 'handicapped' or 'disabled' label.   This dog is neither!!  She's encountered at least 50-100 dog owners.  None of them figured out she is blind unless I told them.

Some of the books on blind dogs say I should let everyone know she's blind.  But I don't want this proud animal to be an object of pity.  Dogs pick up on our emotions.  Because I don't share that information unless the situation warrants it, what she hears from prople is how beautiful she is.  And she is, both on the outside, and on the inside.

Tom 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Welcome to DoodleKisses and keep up the great stories.  I love hearing about Belle.

[Suzanne & Jack]

Tears are filling my eyes, I am so happy that you and Belle found each other.  Although all of the dogs listed in DRC tug at my heart some are a little more special.  Belle was one of those.  Please keep us all posted on her progress.

[Marni and Hanna]

She is adorable !  Thanks for rescuing her !!  Please keep us updated on her progess/stories !!!!  : ) 

[Leslie J]

So glad you all found each other!!! She's a real beauty!

[Stella]

How wonderful to hear from you! I am so delighted that Belle found her forever home and is settling in so well. Welcome to Doodlekisses!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Tom ~ if you want, you can place the photos directly in your discussion by hitting the image icon (the one next to link).  Love the photos of this beautiful girl.  A beautiful beginning.

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

Welcome to the group and thanks for the update!   All of the doodles for adoption pull at my heart but some pull just a tiny bit more than others.  Belle was one that pulled very hard.  I checked every time I was on and so very happy to see that she found a home and that home was the perfect match.  All the things she has adapted to are amazing.  I know many on two legs who could not adapt nearly as well. The Boys and I wish you, Chari & Belle much joy, fun times and love. It sounds like you are well on your way.