by Lee Juslin
Despite having a name sounding like an Aretha Franklin hit, Soul Patch, or Patch as PK, his Col. Potter foster mom, calls him, is a happy, mixed breed boy. Patch is fifty-three percent Westie, twenty percent Staffordshire Terrier, and the rest a mix of breeds. He is the size of a Staffie making him larger than Cairns and Westies. He weighs in at about twenty-eight pounds.
Born with undersized optic nerves, Patch is partially sighted being able to see movement and shadows only. This makes him nervous when startled by people, especially strangers, or other dogs. If he is startled awake, he is liable to bite out of fear. As a result, PK is careful to call to him before touching him when he is asleep and introduce him to strangers before allowing them to approach him. Once Patch realizes someone is there, he is delighted to greet them because he loves people, especially those who come to visit him. He also likes greeting people he meets on his walks. As a further safety measure, Patch sleeps in his crate at night with the door closed.
Patch
Because Patch was never properly socialized, PK is working with him to teach him to play nicely with others. Her Cairns are smaller and Patch, in his eagerness to play and not being able to really see them, often knocks them down. He sometimes tries to hold them down which scares the other dogs, but Patch isn’t being aggressive or mean. He just doesn’t yet realize he is too rough with smaller dogs. PK says her dogs have come to understand his blindness and now growl when he gets too close.
Under PK’s experienced care, Patch has become a very loving boy. He loves to sit in her lap, and he enjoys having his head and ears rubbed. While he is not big on toys, he does have a Flying Squirrel and a Frisbee which he can catch out of the air. PK says she will send these toys with him when he is adopted.
Because Patch is blind, he is very attuned to sounds. He responds to the sound of the phone ringing, and PK says he would love to answer it. He also likes the beeping sound of a truck backing up.
Patch is looking for a home with an experienced terrier person or a couple who are at home most of the day. He would also do well with someone who has patience to work with a handicapped pet. He would enjoy a fenced yard he can explore, though he does like walks.
Patch would not do well with children or other pets except perhaps another dog that is close in size but not aggressive. He would enjoy a pal that would wrestle and play with him.
At only five and half years old, Patch has a long life ahead and would be a joyful, loving companion in the right home.
If you would like to learn more about CP, volunteer, or make a very welcome financial donation to help dogs like Soul Patch, go to their website or FB page. Remember, breed rescues like CP with an all-volunteer staff, depend on financial, tax-free donations from individuals as well as support for their fund raising activities.
Col. Potter will be celebrating their 20th anniversary later this year, so this is an excellent time to make a donation.
FB Group: www.facebook.com/groups/268408650369513
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CPCairnRescue
Website: www.cairnrescue.com
NOTE: I have a handicapped pet, and he is a total joy. Having him in our family has been very rewarding and a great learning experience.
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