A Phoenix-based Rescue Group
Dedicated to finding loving, life-long homes
for displaced Labrador Retrievers.
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| From Joey's Foster Parents: When Joey first entered our home, we were initially concerned about how we would be able to care for a blind dog. How would we ensure his safety? How would we keep him from slipping into the pool? These thoughts quickly dissolved when he learned to use the doggie door by himself within the first 2 hours. He learned the layout of our home and our yard within the first day. He does still sometimes bump into things, but most often it is us when he is following down a hallway and we stop unexpectedly!!! Unless he knows exactly where he is, he doesn't get a good head of steam up so it is just a bump, rather than a slam. As long as furniture isn't moved, or items aren't left out in the middle of the room, he does not have any problem getting around. He has learned all of the small holes and passageways between chairs and tables and navigates them quite nicely. |  |
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Joey loves playing tug-o-war with his foster siblings and us. He is very determined and quite strong for such a little guy. He is not destructive like most adolescent labs - no chewing shoes, furniture, or anything else. Every now and then a stray sock will appear as a tug rope, but his siblings are equally guilty of that! Joey knows where both the inside and outside toy boxes are and is particularly fond of rope toys and chew bones. Since he tends to "misplace" his toys but knows exactly where the toy box is, it is easier for him to get a different toy than to search for that one. So our new daily routine when cleaning up the yard is to gather all of the "misplaced" toys and return them to their toy box. Smells of fresh food left on the counter will attract his overly sensitive nose, but that is the only time he will attempt to counter surf. Even then, he doesn't usually jump up... he just puts his nose in the air and sniffs. Joey has only been introduced to a cat once. It was a strange smell to him and as he kept getting closer and closer, while the cat puffed up to twice its size and made strange sounds. Joey, of course, responded by talking to her and that didn't impress the cat much. He will probably be fine with them after a proper introductory time period though and hey, the truth is, he won't be able to chase them around as effectively as most young labs might. |
| Joey likes to sleep touching his siblings and us so no one can sneak away from him. He has become quite fond of sleeping with his youngest foster sister (pictured) or in the back of a big chair while we are sitting in it. He also thinks he is a lap dog so sometimes curling up beside you just isn't quite good enough for him. He is a very affectionate little guy. We also make certain that all of the dogs are wearing their tags so he can follow them. He runs and plays just like all the other foster dogs we've had and when people meet him, they find it hard to believe that he is really blind. We continue to question that as well, but then he will bump into a chair to remind us. We believe he can see bright lights vs. darkness, since he seems to notice and look up when bright lights are turned on. He is trustworthy when left in the home as long as he has a companion. He REALLY likes to go with you if possible, and rides great in the back seat of the truck. He was originally crate trained and would probably do fine renewing those skills, but with 3 foster siblings, he follows their lead quite nicely. Joey is a bit of a "talker", and we are working with him on that. He can't tell when humans or dogs are making eye contact and like most young dogs, he can be a bit impatient when he wants something. It isn't always obvious exactly what he wants either. We would just have to say that he is about as typical of a young lab as they come!!! |  | Leash walking goes pretty well, both with and without his gentle leader. He still insists on leading, even though he isn't supposed to be able to see where he is going, but once he gets the initial spurt out of his system he settles down nicely. He does tend to drift from side to side while on a leash if he is in a wide-open area. However, when you walk him on a trail or sidewalk he does much better. Like most young labs, he will need continued training in that area. He knows his basic commands but can be stubborn sometimes. Did we already mention that he is a youngster? He is much better with sit and down than with stay or shake.
 Joey's ideal family will have another young dog that can match his activity level and will be tolerant of being bumped into, stepped on, and being plopped down beside them to sleep. Also: someone home most of the time so he isn't left alone too long, older children would be OK, fenced or no pool (although he loves to swim), and a doggie door. While he has never had an accident in our home and is housetrained both with and without a dog door, he enjoys going in and out so often that it might get a little aggravating if he doesn't have one.
Joey is truly an amazing and entertaining little guy. He is searching for his forever home to start the next part of his journey. He will provide as much or more entertainment to you as you will to him!!! If you're interested in meeting with Joey, please contact your home visit volunteer to arrange a meeting.
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Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. | We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is, without a doubt, the best deal man has ever made. - Roger Caras |
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