Extra Love To Give
Special Needs Dogs
by Claire Liston

Like people, dogs sometimes suffer injuries and illnesses. When dogs with chronic illness or permanent disabilities become homeless, their chances of finding a new home become very slim. Like older dogs, these dogs don’t have a puppyhood left to share but they do offer a love and gratitude that is beyind most puppies.

Blind or Deaf Dogs – These dogs need more protection from the outside world and a different kind of communication. There are many resources now available to help with training of these dogs.

Three-Legged Dogs – Three-legged dogs hardly belong in this section, as they are usually as fast and as mobile as four-leggers. Don’t be fooled into thinking of a three-legged dog as handicapped!

Monthly Medicated – Some rescue dogs have conditions that are controlled by their medications (allergies, epilepsy, glaucoma, etc.). The average adopter doesn’t want to add that $30-$50 to their monthly budget, but for other adopters this is a small price to pay for a lifetime of devotion.

Dogs in Wheelchairs – When you meet a dog in a “cart” you see that they don’t know the meaning of the word disability. To own a cart dog, you’ll need a house and yard without stairs, and the means to purchase and maintain a cart.

Behavior Problems – Dogs that don’t do well with kids, cats or other dogs can be great pets in homes without kids, cats or dogs. Over-protective dogs can be great in country homes. Shy dogs can be great in homes with gentle, quiet people. Don’t miss your perfect match because he/she has been marked as a behavior problem.

Abused/Neglected Dogs – These dogs can have aversions to different people, places and sounds. They need gentle patient people to provide encouragement and protection while they relearn about the nature of the world.

Skin Conditions – There are a lot of skin conditions that can make a dog itch, flake and possibly lose fur temporarily. Many are just caused by stress, fleas, or poor living conditions and are curable, cosmetic problems.

Sharing your life with a special needs dog may seem like a charitable move in the beginning, but the rewards are the same as with any dog.

Claire Liston is a dog rescuer who has welcomed more than 150 foster dogs into her home for training and/or rehabilitation. If you need training help in Northern Virginia, contact Claire@talkingwithdogs.com.

 

 

 

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