I had been thinking about a companion dog for the miniature daschund had. I found a website featuring pictures of the animals for adoption. I found another miniature daschund on the website that was supposed to make an appearance at Fenton. Her name was Britney. I drove down to Fenton to see her about a year ago. When I got there, Britney, like Britney Spears, didnt show.

I took my time and looked at the other dogs there, petting most of them. I didnt notice that there were still a few in the cages and overlooked by most people. All at once I heard this tiny bark. I looked over and there was a small cage with a Pomeranian inside. The cage was steel mesh and he was barking at the corner. Each time he barked, he hopped off all four feet. His back was to me as he barked at the corner. I was so humored by him that I asked the attendant if I could hold him.

She said his name is Mr. Teddy and pulled him out of his cage to hand to me. She said he was about 10 years old and very lovable. He was a huge ball of fluff. He put his paws on my shoulder and stopped barking completely. He wasnt interested in looking at me, but looked straight ahead toward the back of the store. The attendant then told me that he rarely gets any attention and has been in the adoption circle for six months. No one wants him she said. Petting his back, I looked at her asking why. She then told me that he was blind from birth they thought due to an eye infection. She said that no one wanted a blind dog. And I looked at his face with the huge white patches in his eyes.

I petted him for about an hour I know. I told her I wanted him and took him home later that day. He got along great with my daschund until she passed of old age about 6 months later. But Ted has been a huge joy to have in the house and he navigates the rooms by the area rugs and carpets although he does bump a wall once in a while.

He is so happy and he slaps his paws on the floor and does this fake growl when I get home at lunch and in the evening. If I touch his paws, then he yanks them out from under my hand and smacks them on the floor again, play biting that turns into licking and huge tail wagging. He is vocal about going out and follows me from room to room with his tail wagging as well.

At the time I brought him home, I had a room mate and we were going to get his eyes fixed. But my room mate has since left. My vet says he is a great candidate, but I can afford maybe half of the cost, but I havent given up yet. Its just going to take a bit more time.

I dont know how anyone could have given this guy up, blind or not. He wants for absolutely nothing now with a comfy bed in every room (really), of the house where he adjusts the blankets, plops down and listens for my movements and has an occasional bark now and then. I just tell him "come on, Ted" and hes up and following me to the next room. Hes an amazing dog and my third rescue!

Tim L.