Patti_and_boyfriends

Now here’s a trio you don’t hear much about, but they are real fixtures at Widget’s House, our main dog building.  That’s blind Patti on the left and her two boyfriends, blind Levi in the center and blind Cedar on the right.  Both Patti and Levi were blinded by abuse, while Cedar went blind from progressive retinal atrophy.  Cedar has a pair of world-class ears that normally stand straight up, but when he realized I was taking his photo, he dropped his ears.  I took dozens of photos, and in every one he was pulling his ears down.  I don’t know why.  Some things only they understand.

Patti_and_levi
Patti is a big love of a dog who adores people but not other female dogs, so she’s in a dog paddock with Levi and Cedar.  She’s been with them for years, and they really are her boys.  When we let her out in the morning, she stands at the back door, waiting for Levi and Cedar to come out.  When we open the door and let Levi out, she races up to him growling like she’s going to tear him apart … and then goes happily bounding after him as he scampers off into the yard.  Then she sprints back to the door to be ready to greet Cedar in the same ‘ferocious’ way.  It’s her little morning tough girl ritual.  The three of them are inseparable, and spend all day roughhousing and playing with each other.

Individually, each of them has a lot of energy, and together they could run a small power plant if only we could figure out how to harness their collective energy.  Just trying to get them to sit still in one spot, long enough to get some photos taken, was a real undertaking.  They get very excited when it’s time to come back inside, and each one wants to burst through the door to get in first.  It’s like a bunch of school kids at the playground:  "Me first!  Me first!"  So the challenge for us is to make them sit and stay and wait their turn, then come inside in a quiet and orderly manner, one by one.  That’s the theory, anyway.

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9 responses to “Patti And Her Boyfriends”

  1. Cora Avatar
    Cora

    I read Patty and Levi’s story and it always makes me so angry to think that these lovely, helpless animals were blinded due in the hands of vicious, human, idiots who clearly have sickening, neurotic problems of their own. Blindness due to illness is disheartening enough.
    Sorry about the angry message. I thank God they both made their way to a loving family at RDR. Someone up their is looking out for them after all!
    And Patty….all I can say is “You Go Girl.”

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  2. Shirley & James, Portland, OR Avatar
    Shirley & James, Portland, OR

    Patti has excellent taste in her boyfriends!

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  3. Boundforglory Avatar
    Boundforglory

    What a happy trio! Patti’s morning greeting to her friends is a hoot!
    They really have come a long way from their painful beginnings to their safe and loving life now. I just can’t relate or comprehend the abuse some people inflict on animals. I’m happy and thankful you have created a safe haven for all your special and wonderful animals.

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  4. KT Avatar
    KT

    These dogs can’t have any more energy than the two of you – how do YOU both keep up?!
    It always amazes me to read about how you seem to find the right fit for every single resident so that they’re all happy and have buddies – are you dog psycologists as well?! What a happy happy bunch of tail waggers – have a great day!

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  5. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    This looks like such an entertaining and joyful bunch, in stark contrast to the conditions they went through before being shepherded to RDR! Patti sounds a bit like my Annie– she wants a job, and will do it well. Hugs to Patti, Levi and Cedar! more power!

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  6. Helen Rietz Avatar

    I just re-read the painful stories of these three dogs before they arrived at the ranch — and it is such a joy to see them happy and thriving. As a shelter volunteer, I sometimes talk with people who are reluctant to adopt from a humane society, for fear that the animal will have been traumatized by past experiences and not make a good pet. So often it is just the opposite! If more people could only appreciate the capacity of animals to overcome trauma, open their hearts, and get on with their lives. And the story of Patti and her boys is a great example.

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  7. Moon Rani Avatar
    Moon Rani

    I like the lighting in these photos. What a lovely portrait, in words and photos, of three lovely dogs. Long live their friendship! Every girl should be as lucky as Patti. 🙂

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  8. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Patti, two boyfriends?? you little devil you!! I’m sure Levi and Cedar look forward to your greeting every morning even if it is a bit unusual.

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  9. Katrina (Australia) Avatar
    Katrina (Australia)

    What gorgeous photos of Patti and her boys. It’s so sad to hear the cause of Patti’s and Levi’s blindness but at least they’re living a wonderful life now.
    Thank you for all you do for these gorgeous animals.

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