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Introducing … Blind Darla!

Darla on steps

This beautiful girl arrived last week from Michigan, and wow, what a doll she is. Her name is Darla and she is a real love — so affectionate and sweet. We don't know how long she's been blind from her cataracts, but judging from how tentative she is in her movements, we doubt she's been blind for very long. In fact, we suspect that without those cataracts she may be able to see, judging from how she reacted to a flashlight I shined into her eyes the other evening. I have a call in to our ophthalmologist about scheduling an electroretinogram (ERG) to determine if she would be a candidate for cataract surgery.

Darla is smaller than she appears in the photo, just under 50 pounds. She gets along great with everyone, and is a girl who loves to wag her tail as soon as she realizes we're about to love her up.

The story behind her is both interesting and maddening. We had agreed to take her in February 2012, after she had been found wandering in an industrial area and left unclaimed at the county animal control shelter for weeks. Just a couple of days before our transport was due to pick her up, her owner finally showed up and demanded the shelter return her. The shelter director declined, given the fact that a) the owner had somehow left her — a blind dog — to fend for herself, b) had failed to search for her and left her for weeks unclaimed, and c) we had already agreed to take her and had paid for her transport.

Well, as it turned out the owner was also a county employee, and he called a county commissioner and the county administrator to complain that the shelter was not giving the dog back. The county administrator ordered the shelter to return Darla, which they reluctantly did.

Fast forward a year. 

Another person brought the same dog back in to the shelter last month, and the staff recognized Darla as the dog they were forced to return to the original owner the previous year. You can tell where this is going, right? The owner who fought to get her back subsequently moved and, naturally, didn't want to take Darla with him. He gave her to friends … who eventually took her to the shelter and signed her over.

The shelter contacted us as soon as she showed up, and we agreed — again — to take this sweet girl.

So now Darla is finally safe with us, where she gets a whole new start in life, thanks to our wonderful donors!

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28 responses to “Introducing … Blind Darla!”

  1. Lynn (in Louisiana) Avatar
    Lynn (in Louisiana)

    I’d love to know what that county administrator has to say. Probably doesn’t care. I thought good ole boy politics was a southern tactic. Pfft.
    Welcome Darla. Better late than never. We’ll all be waiting on the eye exam results. Good luck!

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  2. Sylve M Davis Avatar
    Sylve M Davis

    It is truly a shame that there is not a nation wide clearing house for people that do this. Just like the scum that would do harm to young children, they would be put on a list that would NOT allow them to own or have animals. A year was lost to this beautiful creature because of such sad actions. Am so thankful for Rolling Dog Farm.

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  3. Ev Avatar
    Ev

    Darla is a lucky girl to finally be with you

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  4. KCMarla Avatar
    KCMarla

    Welcome Darla! Soooooo glad you are finally somewhere you are to be wanted and loved and not left to fend for yourself. You might even be able to get your vision back! We look forward to hearing your updates……

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  5. Laura, Levi & Timmy Avatar
    Laura, Levi & Timmy

    I’m glad Darla is finally with you and here’s praying her sight will be restored but if that isn’t in the cards for her she will still be a happy girl in a safe and loving environment.

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  6. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    I have no patience at all for people who treat their animals so badly. It’s a disgrace and there is no excuse for it. I’m just sorry it took so long for Darla to finally come to Rolling Dog Farm. She’s home now and will be so happy with the love she will get here. She’s a beauty. You guys are the best!

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  7. Chloe Avatar
    Chloe

    Oh Darla, I’m so sorry it took this long for you to get to RDF. But here you are at last and true to your breed, have probably already forgiven your previous people.
    Have a wonderful, long and happy life. Looking forward to more updates on you.
    Thank you again Steve and Alayne.

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  8. Kathleen Rivard Avatar
    Kathleen Rivard

    The county administrator would make a thousand excuses as to why none of it was his/her fault or pretend to know nothing about it. Scum! Double scum!! Welcome, Darla. You sure are a pretty girl.

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  9. Janet in Cambridge Avatar
    Janet in Cambridge

    You’re in the right place now, darling Darla. This is it!!

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  10. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    oooooh! Wholehearted agreement. Dogs (all pets) are NOT disposable! And a privilege…
    Delighted that Darla is at Rolling Dog Farm and sending tons of good karma for her eye exam!
    Thank you so much! Her sweetness flows thru the internet. 🙂 Hugs to Darla, and everyone that HELPED her.

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  11. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley

    Oh, yea! I am so glad Darla is finally with you- and sorry it took her a year to get there. This is one more reason why I’m proud to support Rolling Dog Farm.

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  12. Lynne Parker Avatar
    Lynne Parker

    So glad she is with you now. I have no good, printable words for the former owner. I agree that there should be a nationwide database of those who abandon and abuse animals.
    The photo reminds me of Goldie for some reason.

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  13. Tonya Allen Avatar
    Tonya Allen

    Poor Darla, what a ridiculous saga she had to put up with before she finally was able to come home to you. I’m glad she finally arrived and is safe in your hands. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that she’ll be able to get her sight back. Welcome Darla!

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  14. Marcia Scattergood Avatar
    Marcia Scattergood

    You are in THE BEST PLACE EVER Darla! Steve and Alayne will take good care of you and show you that the world is a safe place and that there is love around you!!!! I would love to have you join my family someday – they have to stop teasing me like this!!!!!!! Much love to all!!!!!

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  15. Ann Y. Avatar
    Ann Y.

    And some folks wonder why I like animals more than most people. Stories like what happened to Darla just frost my cookies. Her horrible former owner used the “it’s who you know” tactic just to push his weight around. I’m just so happy that Darla finally found her way to you and will now have the life she deserves. She’s a real beauty!
    Can’t wait to find out if cataract surgery will help her see again!

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  16. Jennifer McRoberts Avatar
    Jennifer McRoberts

    Welcome Darla!!! As Gabe and Ella would love to tell you that you have found a heaven on earth. You are beautiful and so lucky to be where you are, finally!
    Sending hugs and kisses from California
    Love, The McRoberts…..and all of our beloved 3 and 4 legged kids!

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  17. Carla Polastro-Nigro Avatar
    Carla Polastro-Nigro

    Welcome home, sweet Darla!
    I’m so sorry it took a year for you to finally get to doggy heaven, but all’s well that ends well, isn’t it?:-)
    Thank you, Alayne & Steve, for opening your home and hearts to yet another furkid in need.
    A huge hug to you all from Italy.

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  18. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    All’s well that ends well. She is a pretty girl. Thank goodness the worker at the shelter was there to recognize Darla and get her the chance for RDF. She seems very happy and already settled in.

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  19. Glenda Avatar
    Glenda

    Bless you, Darla!
    Your life is about to be better than you could have ever dreamed!
    So glad you are where you will beloved and appreciated.

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  20. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    Welcome Darla! I’m sure she instinctively knows she’s in a safe and loving place. Once she gets the lay of the land, she’ll be very happy indeed. And keeping my fingers crossed for good news from her eye exam.

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  21. Penny Avatar
    Penny

    Welcome Darla! Put all the bad memories behind you…. because you are where you were destined to be … with really good people who care about you and will take good care of you.

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  22. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    I am thankful that Darla finally was able to get to you! She is adorable.

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  23. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    Welcome sweet girl to your WONDERFUL new life xoxoxox

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  24. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    What an amazing story. Darla is beautiful. Thank you Thank you Thank you RDF!

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  25. patty c Avatar
    patty c

    And THAT, my friends, is why I like dogs better than most people!
    Welcome, Darla, you are now in excellent (and loving) hands. :o)

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  26. Chandra Avatar
    Chandra

    Wow, as someone who grew up in Michigan this is disheartening (unfortunately, all 50 states harbor animal abusers)! But in today’s world, as the shelter and the person that found the dog originally I would have called all local and national news, etc. I have learned that once you get the media involved politicians,city, and state employees change their tunes!!
    Glad she is in a safe place.

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  27. Brenda R Avatar
    Brenda R

    You are angels to these dogs. You provide love
    And care not just a roof over their heads. I’m awed by
    Both of you!

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  28. Kathy Ulm Avatar
    Kathy Ulm

    As they say…..good things come to those who wait. Darla has waited long enough and I am so thankful she is in your safe hands. Thank you…

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