by Lee Juslin

Sims, a senior Cairn, was found wandering the streets after the Florida hurricane, and he ended up in a kill shelter.

In addition to being blind and deaf, Sims had raging ear infections, pneumonia, dry eye, and a thyroid problem. A sweet boy that can be handled easily, he showed no signs of abuse. It was thought that his owner simply couldn’t afford the cost to treat his health issues and left him on his own. Sadly, this owner didn’t have the brains to call rescue, but fortunately the shelter called Col. Potter Cairn Rescue. Without the intercession of Col. Potter volunteers, the shelter, crowded and short staffed, would have had to put him down.

Col. Potter called on one of their senior experienced foster moms who also was used to dealing with special needs dogs. Dave’, working with her vet, decided to attack the ear infections and the thyroid first. “He was in such bad shape,” said Dave’, “that I really thought he wouldn’t make it. But, I was determined to do everything I could for this sweet guy.”

Sims

Slowly, being treated for his thyroid problems and having his ear infections cleared up, Sims began to show everyone that, along with being quite muscular, he also had a strong will to recover. Fortunately, Sims is easy to deal with and giving him meds is a cinch according to Dave’.

Sims has never met a stranger; he loves everyone and all who meet him fall in love with this sweet boy. Unlike many deaf dogs, he is easy to approach and doesn’t flinch or snap. He loves roaming Dave’s large, fenced in backyard and, despite being blind and deaf, is very curious. He gets along with Dave’s pack, all of whom are seniors and some special needs. He is housebroken but does need a schedule. He walks well on a leash and enjoys car rides.

Sims takes over-the-counter arthritis meds and is on Gabapentin, a prescription which is relatively inexpensive. He also needs eye ointment and eye drops which are about $40 every two months. However, he will soon have eye surgery to remove one of his eyes which has a growth behind it, so that cost will be halved. In addition, he takes a med for his thyroid which is about $9.50 every two months.

Sims does not care about toys or being held and cuddled. However, he loves green beans and will bark for them. “We’ve taken to calling him ‘Green Bean’,” said Dave’, “because he loves them so. It’s the best treat you can give him.”

If you would like to learn more about Sims or any of the wonderful dogs Col. Potter has available or if you would like to donate or volunteer, visit the organization’s website or their Facebook page.

Website: Cairn Rescue
Facebook: Col. Potter

Check out more animal rescue & therapy animal stories in our Pets section.

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Lee Juslin is a free lance copywriter living in North Carolina with her husband, Scott, and her band of misfits: Tarquin, a Wheaten Scottish Terrier, and three handicapped cats. They can be seen on their website: Hampshire Hooligans. She owns I B Dog Gone, a small embroidery business and is the author of the Nurse Frosty books for children and Frosty’s Story: Tales of a Therapy Dog. She supports a number of national and regional terrier rescue organizations.