Sirius is an 8-month-old Golden Retriever mix at the Robins-Starr Humane Center. We transferred him from a local government shelter in April after he’d been hit by a car. His hind legs needed splinting and surgical pins, and our medical staff helped return him to health with the assistance of a very generous local veterinary orthopedic surgeon. Stryder is another great dog who was just adopted. When he came to us, his ears were so infected (from chronic, untreated ear infections) that they had to be surgically removed to relieve the pain he had suffered for years.  our vet had to remove most of both of his ears because they were so infected.

They’re both wonderful animals, and I still can’t figure out why Sirius is still with us or why it took Stryder so long to find a forever home.  I encourage visitors to our center to check out dogs who are limping or missing a limb or who have some other special need. These wonderful animals don’t know that they walk with a goofy gait or that they aren’t like the rest of their four-legged friends. They are still happy and full of lots of love to give and are most deserving of your time and attention.

Look at Sandy, for example. We took her in this spring after she and her littermates had been thrown out of a car and abandoned. Sandy’s injuries were much worse than her brother’s and sister’s, so while Annie and Punjab walk around normally, Sandy’s hind leg stays straightened, off to her side. But Sandy doesn’t notice. Since her surgeries, she’s gotten better and better at moving around, and now she can sprint back and forth playing catch as easily and quickly as any other dog, but with a special walk all her own.

These amazing pets make just as good companions as uninjured ones, and sometimes the bonds between them and their owners will be even stronger because they’ve weathered so many troubles, and now, at last, they will finally have a permanent home. Give extra consideration to adopting an imperfect pet. The love they give you will more than make up for any missing appendages!

Today’s blog author is Patrick Hawkins. Pat is the adoption center coordinator at the Richmond SPCA.

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