The saddest of reasons led Shey, a 14-year-old miniature poodle, to be surrendered to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in November 2017: his family was moving and he wouldn’t be going with them.
Jessica Jorgenson, the rescue’s digital content coordinator, told The Dodo, “Shey is super sweet and wants to be near people all the time.”
After spending four months at the shelter, Shey was picked up by someone. The rescue arranged for surgery and veterinary care for him because he had dental disease and had never been neutered. Among his teeth, only one was still healthy.
There wasn’t exactly a line out the door of adopters waiting to meet him because he was deaf, half-blind, and almost completely toothless.
“From the beginning, Shey was very comfortable with Tristan,” Jorgenson said.
But none of that mattered when a young boy named Tristan came in one night. Shey was the perfect match for him and his mother, who were looking for a small dog who enjoyed cuddles.
Tristan sat down, eager to meet his new potential friend. The look of pure joy on Shey’s face when the staff placed him in Tristan’s lap was priceless.
“He was very slow with his actions because he understood Shey couldn’t hear what was going on and might not be able to see things clearly,” Jorgenson said. “He was simply respectful of Shey’s abilities and limitations.”
Clearly eager to help the sweet little dog snuggled in his lap, Tristan hung on every word as the adoption staff explained some of Shey’s special needs.
Jorgenson continued, “He was so considerate of Shey’s special needs.” “Tristan is a mature young man who asks a lot of questions.”
Tristan even pulled out his phone’s calendar and started jotting down when he’d need to take Shey to the vet for future vaccinations while reviewing Shey’s medical history. He also told the staff about the special spot he had set up for himself in his room.
When I saw how ready the young boy was for a dog – and seeing how responsible he was about adopting a senior pup – it was a no-brainer.
Now that he is at home with his family, Shey’s new favorite place is in Tristan’s arms.
Tristan is doing everything in his power to compensate for the time Shey lost while searching for a family after he was abandoned.
“Shey appears to be very happy,” Jorgenson said. “His favorite thing in the world is cuddling, and he snuggled right up to Tristan.”
