Meet Ethan
Description:
Ethan and his senior foster mom were truly made for each other. Her first blind collie entered her life in 2004 and taught her a lot—including that sometimes, we learn best just by observing. Occasionally, seniors contact AHDRO to inquire about the Senior to Senior (S2S) program. And sometimes, when you’ve built a reputation like Ethan’s foster mom has, AHDRO reaches out to you and asks if you’re willing to help. Ethan, a double dilute collie, is blind but thankfully still has his hearing.
Ethan came to AHDRO after a shelter asked for help. He’s more than 10 years old, came in desperately needing grooming, with fly-bitten ears, underweight, terrified of a leash, and carrying what the vet called the worst case of heartworm they had ever seen. Because of the severity of his condition, treatment for the heartworm isn’t an option. He also needs significant dental work, but due to his heart, that’s not possible either. He’s on antibiotics and is now under hospice care.
After only a short time with his new mom, Ethan has already started teaching his foster mom again. He’s mapping the yard and home by feeling the different textures under his paws and growing in confidence daily. He’s even learning voice commands. Despite a lifetime of neglect, Ethan is friendly, gentle, and adoring the human touch and loving affection.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once wrote, “To see clearly, one must look with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes.” Ethan sees clearly, and so does his foster mom, who said, “Given the chance, a blind, deaf and/or both collie can live like any other dog—with patience.” Yes, these two were meant to be. While we can’t go back in time and place Ethan with her from the start, we can support them now—and others like them—with our help of donations earmarked for the Senior to Senior Program and by being inspired to, if able, help dogs who are challenged in any way. Sometimes, we just need to look with our hearts.
Want to help, but now is not the right time for you to adopt? We understand! Consider sponsoring one of our dogs through our Sponsorship Program instead. Learn more about this program, how to donate and other ways to donate.
