ADOPTED!

Meet Stevie! He is a stunning blind male yellow Labrador Retriever, approximately six years old. Stevie came to WCLRR when his family could no longer afford his medical expenses of a severe ear infection. After visiting our veterinarians and getting the infection resolved, we got Stevie into a safe and loving foster home with experience fostering blind Labrador Retrievers. Aside from blindness, he is a healthy, happy boy who loves his people.

Stevie is a delightful dog that, other than his blindness, is like any other Labrador Retriever. He enjoys having his belly and back scratched and being gently rubbed around his ears. He is fine with the dogs he’s fostered with, and with an occasional bump here and there, cruises around his foster home with ease. Stevie can get up and down stairs without issues.

Stevie is housebroken. However, his family should let him outside regularly to avoid an accident. A nightly potty before bedtime ensures he’ll sleep through the night. He is a typical Labrador Retriever and loves his food and treats, and while he gets very excited about his meals, he takes treats gently.

Stevie’s blindness is caused by cataracts, probably due to poor breeding practices. WCLRR was hopeful we could surgically correct the condition. However, during his preop appointment, the eye specialist found his disease had advanced to a stage where surgery is no longer an option. Fortunately, we can maintain his eyes with daily medication (eye drops) and prevent them from ending up with Glaucoma. A visit to the eye specialist should be part of his yearly health routine.

Due to his blindness, Stevie has zero depth perception and could accidentally nip a child’s hand holding a toy or treat; therefore, we cannot adopt Stevie to a family with young children. Stevie needs work on walking on the leash, which appears something his family never did with him, and now that he’s blind, it has become more of a challenge. Stevie enjoys riding in the car. He’ll need to be partially lifted in and should be tethered so he doesn’t wander around during your driving.

Stevie should be adopted to a home that has prior experience with larger blind dogs. While he does great, there are some things that he’ll need accommodation with and particular objects removed from his path. Once he learns the layout of the home, however, he can navigate it well. Stevie would do fine with another canine companion or as your only buddy. He likes to play in bursts. The other dog should not be aggressively reactive if Stevie accidentally bumps into or steps on them.

An Ophthalmologist examined Stevie, and their full report will be made available to potential adopters. He is up to date on his shots, was neutered, and is microchipped.