Vickie was surrendered to the shelter six years ago.
My first reaction was,
"Wow, she’s spinning very fast."
But when I got her out of the cage,
and she just kind of just jumped on me, and tried to give me hugs and kisses,
she had the best personality.
I vowed, "I am going to work with this dog.
I am going to get her to a point where she can go into a home."
Vickie’s blind.
The owners did not want her because she was blind.
She spins in circles a lot.
No animal should be in a shelter for their whole life.
So we take her out a lot.
We just need to find that perfect home.
Ellen came by with her daughter to volunteer.
And they saw Vickie, and they saw that she was blind.
- At that point then my daughter started to cry,
saying, “We can’t just leave her.
We have to do something.”
So I said, “Well this is the perfect time for you to learn about volunteering, child.”
- Vickie can be skittish around strangers sometimes.
She took to Ellen very well.
It’s probably Ellen’s energy, honestly.
- (Laughing) Ah, what’s up?
And we went down every day,
even if it was only for ten or fifteen minutes.
So we could play with her, engage her, walk her.
Talk to her.
She’d never been in a home.
But she was just such a love,
and I didn’t understand why anybody hadn’t come for her.
We decided to give her basic commands.
She’s blind, but she’s a quick learner.
It’s a question of being here every day.
So she gets used to having me around.
- No, it's empty!
Vickie brought us closer.
Not only as like a mother daughter relationship,
but I would say it’s just like a friendly relationship.
Because sometimes we don’t hang out
and talk as much as we would like to.
So on the drive over, or on the drive back, we would talk.
- With Honora and I, Vickie has given us kind of a common thread.
There’s a goofy little dog that needs us.
She’s just a lovely, sweet goofball.
And I think she should understand
what unconditional love is.
- Ellen came up to me and she said,
“I think I’m your lady.”
And I said, “I think you’re my lady too.”
Today, Vickie is finally going to her forever home.
I know that she is going somewhere where she belongs.
Yes!
You’re coming with me today!
Are you ready to go home?
Are you ready? Say goodbye to Elijah.
She will never be in a cement room again.
He’s going to cry.
Say goodbye to everyone.
Say goodbye.
Come on!
Are we ready to see your new home?
Come on. Come on.
She’s never done stairs before. Come on.
Good girl!
You did it!
Yes!
There are so many challenges.
She’s blind. She’s been in the shelter for six years.
Come on.
- Okay, tail.
- You just want to feel safe. I know you do.
And you will soon.
You’ll feel safe soon.
Who’s got a first walk? Huh?
Good girl. Good girl.
Good girl. Come here.
I don’t think she knows what to make of any of this.
Who’s a good girl?
I know. You’re getting a little overwhelmed, aren’t you?
Shake it off, baby. This is your new life.
It’s okay. As long as I got —
I got you, I got you.
I got you.
Come on! Let’s go try the stairs again.
That should be fun.
Vickie will just have love heaped on her.
And she will never need or want anything as long as she lives.