California Woman Went To Honor Her Late Dog And Asked The Shelter For Its Hardest Adoption Case
After losing her own dog, Lucia asked a California shelter which animal needed to get out the most. They handed her a 13-year-old blind dog who had been abandoned at a mall.
The Most Vulnerable Soul
After experiencing the heartbreak of losing her beloved dog, Lucia knew she wanted to honor her pet’s memory. Instead of closing her heart, she reached out to a local shelter with a very specific request.
She asked the staff which dog needed to get out of the facility the most.
The shelter introduced her to a dog whose paperwork painted a bleak picture. He was a 13-year-old senior, and he was completely blind.
“I know I can’t save all the dogs, but this one I could help,” Lucia explained.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
The senior dog, named Poodle, had endured a tragic recent past. He had been abandoned at a mall, left tied up and entirely alone.
Thankfully, a kind stranger found him waiting there, and a rescue organization was called in to get him to safety.
When he was first rescued, Poodle was in rough shape. He was very skinny and looked as though he had been severely neglected for some time.
Finally Finding Peace
Poodle had spent about four long months waiting in the shelter before Lucia came for him. When she finally brought him home, his immediate reaction was pure exhaustion.
He slept a lot during those first days. He would curl up on his bed almost immediately, requiring no time to adapt to his new sleeping arrangements.
Lucia realized the shelter environment had likely been incredibly loud and stressful for him. He was finally just happy to be in a quiet place where he could rest peacefully.
Navigating A New World
Because he was completely blind, Poodle had to learn how to navigate his new surroundings by feel. It wasn’t clear to anyone if his blindness was from birth or caused by something later in life.
At first, he bumped into things frequently as he mapped out the house. Lucia affectionately nicknamed him her “Roomba.”
He would walk in circles and gently bump through things, slowly figuring out the layout of his safe new haven.
Extensive Medical Care
Beyond his blindness and his need to gain weight, Poodle required a significant amount of daily medical attention. He was diagnosed with kidney disease, which meant a strict daily regimen to keep him healthy.
Lucia stepped up to provide all the specialized care he needed. She administers his fluids and carefully syringe-feeds him to ensure he gets his nutrients.
Every single day, the senior dog also takes five different medications, all managed by his dedicated new mom.
A Trusting and Affectionate Heart
Despite everything he had endured—the neglect, the abandonment, and the scary shelter—Poodle remained incredibly sweet. Lucia described him as very calm but deeply affectionate.
For a dog who cannot see the world around him, he is remarkably trusting of the people who care for him.
He has a wonderful temperament, proving that his difficult past didn’t break his gentle spirit.
Mutual Healing
The bond they share is a beautiful testament to the power of second chances. When Poodle hears Lucia’s voice, he immediately perks up.
He misses her whenever she isn’t around, often walking through the house just trying to find her.
Looking back on her decision to adopt a blind, sick senior dog, Lucia knows it was exactly what they both needed.
“He needed somebody to get him out of the shelter, and I needed also something to heal from my past dog,” she shared. “I did it because who else was gonna do it?”
