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My basic info
Breed
Maltese
Color
White
Age
Senior
Size
Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with dogs
Good with cats
Purebred
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
COURTESY LISTING for Santa Barbara County Shelter. Please help! Tugboat is a wonderful dog and his days at the shelter are numbered. We need an adopter or a foster home ASAP.
Tugboat is a male teacup Maltese, about 4 lbs. We think he is 10-12 years old, and blind. His heartless owner abandoned him at the shelter in a cardboard box -- he was scared, dirty, and his hair was very matted.
In spite of it all, Tugboat is happy, social, and looking sharp in his new summer haircut! He gets along nicely with other dogs and he likes cats. He is crate-trained and is working on his house manners. Tugboat takes treats gently and enjoys being held and loved on. He will make a wonderful companion for any lucky family.
He may be blind but it definitely doesn't hinder this little guy. While we humans rely primarily on our sense of sight, dogs use their senses of smell, hearing and touch to get around. Blind pets can live full happy lives. They adapt and learn to navigate the house and communicate with their owners so well that it may take closer observation to even discover their disability, and even adult and older pets adapt to disabilities that humans would find hard to manage.
You really don't have to do much to accommodate a blind pet’s needs. Just be careful to keep all furniture in the same place at all times. Food and water bowls, pet beds, and toy stash all need to be in the exact same place for the pet to easily find what he needs. Be careful about carrying him from one room to the next; pets memorize their paths through the house so the ride in the owner’s arms can leave them disoriented when set back down – unless it’s in a very familiar place. And remember not to leave him on a chair or bed, unless he's very familiar with it, so he can jump down safely.
We think Tugboat is still perfect, in spite of his imperfections! His sense of smell is his primary sense; not his sight. And remember -- as long as Tugboat has his home and your love, his "quality of life" is not diminished in any way! If you have any questions or would like to meet this special boy, please contact Erin (805) 757-4832.
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