STORIES THAT INSPIRE

Tommy the Dalmatian

by Robbie Lark

I'll never forget the sadness I felt when I hung up the phone that day in June. Barb Giano of Petfinders had called me to tell me about a 10-12 year old deaf Dalmatian, whose eyes were so clouded by cataracts that he was blind. He had simply been left behind when his owners moved.

A neighbor, who could no longer listen to the mournful cries of a hungry dog, called animal control to come and pick him up. Barb told me that he was wearing tags when he was picked up so he would have to be held as a stray for 14 days while the owners were notified by certified letter and given a chance to reclaim him.

Barb and I discussed his future. We decided sadly that he was one that we couldn't save. We finished our conversation and I had an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't think of anything else but the deaf blind Dalmatian.

"...a lifetime of companionship rewarded with abandonment"

How awful to be deaf and blind and be in a place so unfamiliar, so alone. I cried thinking of him sitting in his pen at the shelter trying to catch what little air was blowing through. How unfair that a lifetime of companionship should be rewarded with such abandonment. It was at that moment I decided to reach out to my friends on the Internet.

I hoped that someone would read my post who lived close enough to the NJ shelter to visit this dog, maybe take him a treat, offer him a few pats on the head and show him that he was loved until his time was up and he would go to the bridge.

I was not prepared for what happened next. My email was sent to newsgroups and mailing lists that I had never heard of. I received over a hundred emails, many from people telling me that they would visit this dog, some offering him a home, transportation or financial help. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and support from complete strangers and I quickly realized that this old unwanted deaf, blind Dalmatian had more of a future than I could have dreamed possible.

The Dalmatian gets his name

A gentleman named Mickey Brown suggested we name this Dalmatian Tommy, after the deaf mute in The Who's rock opera "Tommy". He also offered to pay for Tommy's shelter fee, vet expenses, food, treats and toys.

Susan Wolfe in Indiana offered Tommy a home and was willing to drive all the way to Pennsylvania to pick him up.

Tommy stayed in the shelter for fourteen days, and the certified letter sent to his former owner was returned undeliverable. Tommy was free to start the new life that he so deserved. The Internet made all this possible for him.

I had three wonderful days with Tommy before he left for Indiana. Each day I watched his confidence rise as he became more familiar with his surroundings. He seemed much younger than his 10 years. Tommy amazed me with his ability to adapt, his kind and friendly spirit and willingness to trust.

"Never give up hope"

Although our time together was short, I learned so much from him: to never give up hope. That strangers are really friends you haven't met yet. And that the value of a life is not measured by years, disabilities, or species-- it is precious to us all.

I would like to share a quote that DDEAF (Deaf Dogs Education Action Fund) has included in their literature:

Tommy's new life

By Susan Wolfe-Walters, Tommy's new mom

Tommy has proven to be a loving dog and responds to everyone he's met with a wag of his tail.

Despite his blindness and deafness, Tommy has had no difficulty getting around. After just a short walk with me around the yard, he was able to find his way unassisted. The doggie door was also no obstacle to him. He soon learned how to get in and out of the house.

He seems to prefer to be outside more than in, spending lots of time on his his new flip-out child's chair. He sleeps on it in the shade when he's outside in his fenced yard. (That's Tommy pictured above, in his chair.)

The new friends that he shares the yard with are a German Shepherd and another rescue puppy, a Dalmatian mix. The puppy adores him and Tommy shares toys and his bed with him.

Tommy has proven to us once again that animals with handicaps respond to love and proper care, like all animals will, if given a chance.

I hope our experience with Tommy will encourage others to give these animals a chance. They have SO much love to give; they only need a home to share with us.

Editor's note: Robbie tells us that Tommy's story was shared with the Onelist management (now Yahoo Groups), who decided to make the Dalmatian rescue list (Dalmatianrescue@groups.yahoo.com) their list of the week. Over 50 new subscribers joined and five Dalmatians needing rescue were offered homes. Thank you, Tommy!