Everyone has their own idea of what the Perfect Dog is. For myself I am a lover of large dogs, such as Labs or mixes. But really I'll take in any in need. I'm a softie.

What I am really talking about is people finding perfection in a dog that has special needs.

The 2nd dog I fostered happened to be Bonnie Sue, a deaf border collie. I wondered how terribly hard it must be for her. But I soon learned she was perfect in the way she adapted by taking her cues from Allie. When Allie would react to someone at the door or someone coming into the room, Bonnie was right there. Allie became Bonnie's ears. I wondered who would ever want a dog that couldn't hear. I soon learned to many people, it really didn't matter. I am always humbled as to what people want or look for in a dog.

Since dogs, just like humans lose their hearing with age, it's good to use both hand signals and voice commands early on.

Here is the story of Bingo, a blind, 11yr old border collie and his special people who have adopted him.

During the last year, my husband and I talked about adopting an older dog as a companion for us. We are older and didn't want to raise a puppy again. We felt a senior dog would be just the right fit. We were at Eddie's Garage sale (an annual fund raiser for Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon) and asked about adopting a senior dog. Susan Faria asked if we would consider adopting bingo a blind border collie.

When we first met Bingo my husband remembers that he was very independent, which was very surprising since he is blind. I remember that I immediately wanted to bring him home. From what we understand Bingo is 11yrs old and has been blind for quite some time, perhaps his whole life. This may be why he manages to well, we even forget he is blind. Bingo enjoys being outside and has a good sense of boundaries in the yard, his favorite place to sit...on a gentle slope...where he seems to survey his area.

There are times he "prances" across the yard to us, holding his head up high. I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude to have him in our lives.

Bingo is a gentle spirit. I don't know what Bingo would be like if he was not blind...it is part of the wonderful dog he is.



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