Roxy’s Heart
When we got the call about a deaf Wolfhound x in a regional Queensland pound late last year, we were warned she was in pretty rough shape. At two years old, she was a shocking 10-12kgs underweight, with her ribs and spine clearly visible. There were swellings on her joints and rump due to the bones being in contact with hard ground, and the fur she did have was thin, matted and patchy with a serious skin condition that left her almost bald from the ribs back.
Covered in fleas, with bindis in her feet, we could tell from the staining on her coat that she has been so itchy that she has chewed as much of herself as she could reach, taking the fur of her rump and tail down to the skin where she continued to bite, creating sores and scabs. She was so sore and so tender. It was heartbreaking to hear her whimpers as she let us inspect her for injuries then let us bath, brush and clean her ears in an effort to make her comfortable.
With a full vet check complete, there did not seem to be any serious underlying injuries and her skin issues appeared to be an out-of-control !ea allergy. We were advised that although in rough shape, with some TLC, antibiotics, medicated shampoo and a high-quality diet, she would make a full recovery.
For her fresh start, we gave her a new name: Roxy. Fast forward just a few months and not only is Roxy thriving, but she has also found her forever home! Her foster family fell in love with her beautiful personality and unwavering spirit during her recovery and couldn’t bear to see her leave.
Roxy now knows the love of a family, the creature comforts of a home and will never feel the pangs of an empty tummy again. Not only has Roxy made a full physical recovery, but she has shown how smart she is being very quick to learn all her basic training by following sign language instead of vocal cues.
Roxy not only has a new family, but also a new role in life, joining many Hear No Evil alumni as a deaf dog ambassador. Roxy attends events and helps educate people on why rescue dogs, and deaf dogs in particular, should not be overlooked when choosing a furry family member.
For more information on Hear No Evil: Australian Deaf Dog Rescue, visit facebook.com/AustralianDeafDogRescue.
Leave a Reply