At Rescue Ranch we believe there’s a home for every dog, whatever the challenges. Sure, it’s not easy to find an adopter for special needs dogs at the best of times. But nobody expected that Rodeo, the sociable deaf pitbull, and Lydia, the ball-obsessed tripod, would spend years waiting to find the right adoptive match. Even with the round-the-clock care and commitment of our outstanding staff, it’s impossible to give 200+ dogs the individual attention they’d receive in a home. A shelter is never ideal for any dog with special needs. Is it any wonder that Rodeo and Lydia were lonely and frustrated? Ranch staff knew they needed a change.
Special needs dogs have unique challenges
Rodeo and Lydia have different sets of disadvantages. Rodeo’s consist of his size, energy level, and need for specialized training. According to staff member Caleb Armstrong, Rodeo is like a football player: he has no idea how big and strong he is. When he arrived at the Ranch as a young dog having already spent most of his short life in a shelter, he was an energetic handful who needed training he could understand. Staff taught him visual cues and trained him on an electric collar. He made rapid progress. Despite his impressive looks, Rodeo is cuddly and affectionate with people and sociable with other dogs. But his forwardness can be off-putting to potential playmates, and staff worried that if another dog retaliated, Rodeo could be injured.
Lydia came to the Ranch from a kill-shelter where she was set to be euthanized due to a badly broken, infected leg. I fostered her for five weeks during her course of antibiotics and loved her dearly. She adored me but was highly defensive towards all other dogs. She was also high-strung, territorial, and would need a home without children or small animals. Ultimately, antibiotics were unsuccessful and Lydia’s leg was amputated. She adjusted to life on three legs with her characteristic resilience, and her leash manners improved. Lydia’s joy in life is undimmed by the trauma she endured, and she is still willing to trust humans. Unfortunately she’s received little interest from potential adopters.
When Rodeo met Lydia
After putting in stints at the Adoption Center, both Rodeo and Lydia moved to the less stressful environment of the Sanctuary. The additional space to run and play was a boon for each, but they were still lonely. Rodeo had no one to engage with, and Lydia repeatedly dug out of her yard to find her favorite people. That’s when staff member Lacey Farber decided that these two special needs dogs should meet. If they’d only click, she felt sure they’d make a dream team. But Lydia’s defensiveness had already caused her to fail several playmate introductions. Could she pair up with one of the resident deaf dogs? Lacey’s hunch was yes –“Our thought was they’re going to respect each other’s disability. Dogs just have that sense with each other, so we thought maybe if Lydia was around another dog with a disability, she’d be more open.”
Lacey and Caleb took the dogs out on leash in a quiet corner of the Sanctuary, hoping for the best. Initially, Lydia rebuffed Rodeo’s curiosity and drove him off. Unfazed, Rodeo wandered away, piquing Lydia’s interest. She approached again. They exchanged sniffs, tails wagged, and friendship blossomed. Astonished, the handlers allowed them to interact freely. Lydia and Rodeo were in love.
Companionship benefits both dogs but a home would be best
Lacey reports that Rodeo and Lydia are now inseparable. The pairing has made both dogs happier and reduced their stress. They eat side by side, share a bed, and never quarrel. It’s remarkable how well they understand each other. Lacey has seen Lydia paw Rodeo, rather than bark, when she wants his attention–“Lydia barks with him, but never really at him.” Both dogs are exceptionally intelligent, as evidenced by how they have found a way around each other’s barriers. Now, according to Lacey, there are no boundaries between them.
Staff are grateful for the dogs’ friendship but won’t be satisfied until they find a real home–ideally together! Even with their bond, Rodeo and Lydia still crave human company and have so much to offer. They could be wonderful pets for a dog-savvy adopter who’d embrace their challenges and be willing to work with them. It might be a tall order, but for this dynamic duo nothing is impossible.
