Jose Feliciano - proof that there's hope for them all.

Many shelters take in only the dogs they know for sure they can re-home. Understandable, but not much help if you don't fit the category. Which is to say that some shelters will only accept little or medium sized dogs who are in good health. They won't take old dogs, dogs with health or mobility problems and certainly not dogs who are deaf or blind.

Luckily Fabienne's policy is quite the opposite. If the dog is in trouble she'll take it in, as long as she can possibly squeeze in one more. The recent intake has included Lai, a beautiful Collie-Cross who is almost blind as well as several dogs who are totally blind - Placido Domingo, Stevie Wonder and others. Then there's Fortuna - one of a long line of handicapped dogs. Poor Fortuna was attacked for no reason by a group of young gypsies who cut off her paw and part of her ear.

These are just some of the unfortunate dogs who's fortune changed when we rescued them. Many of our special dogs, which is what we call them, find happy, loving homes. Below is a translation of the letter sent by Trix,  Jose Feliciano's new delighted owner.

"It's all going well with Jose Feliciano. He's an affectionate little fellow who knows what he wants. He is indeed very old, he no longer has any hair on his back, he's almost blind and his hearing is poor. But that hasn't stopped him finding his way around here and getting attached to his new owner. 

When he arrived he immediately found the food and then went to explore the house, as if he had a map in his head. Since then he knows exactly where to find everything, even though he's blind. The other dogs are impressed and treat him with respect. At night he sleeps with them and they keep him warm. Though once, when another dog tried to take his bone, they got a rude awakening. Blind or not, Jose won't allow anyone to take his bone.  Since then they know to leave him alone when he's with his bone!

Jose has his own routine. He takes a tour around the house and then finds his bowl full of goodies. Then he goes into the garden for a little walk and when he get's back is ready for a little lie down with his bone. He sleeps a lot in his bench. I am really happy with Jose and it feels as if he was always here. And when he crawls to me and snuggles up and puts his head on my arms and falls asleep I am completely lost. When I see how Jose still enjoys his old age I am very grateful to ACE-Shin for their commitment to old and disabled dogs. I would also like to thank ACE-Shin very much for the careful guidance during the adoption process."

I have a lovely warm coat to cover my back.

This is my bone. My very own bone. No one else's bone.

Look at me now, I'm such a lucky fellow.