Samantha is an old blind girl who just arrived today from the Flathead County Animal Shelter in Kalispell, Montana. Kirsten and Trista from the shelter were kind enough to drive her out to the ranch. They had asked us last week if we could provide a home for Samantha here.
They told us that when Samantha was turned in, she was dragging a long rope that had been tied around her neck in a giant knot. Her owner had decided to drive off one day in search of a new life, and abandoned Samantha with family members. They took her to the shelter the very next day.
She is, as you can see, one very elderly girl. I took the photo of her in our isolation cottage this afternoon. Look at all that gray! Samantha is totally blind, even though her eyes are perfectly clear. She's kind of chunky, too, and my hunch is she's got a thyroid issue that needs treatment. She's a very sweet old lady, full of kisses and just happy to get some loving.
Despite her age, weight and blindness, Samantha moves around with a surprising nimbleness. In the space of 5 minutes, she mapped the isolation cottage layout and learned where the door was, and she was coming and going from the isolation yard at will. On warm days we just leave the door to the cottage open, so new arrivals can enjoy the yard and come in to nap whenever they want. Samantha will stay in our isolation area for medical observation and quarantine for about 10 days before we introduce her to the rest of the gang.
On a sunny fall afternoon, she was already enjoying herself here at the ranch!
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