Duke

Duke came to Sunny Saints at 10 weeks of age from a breeder that was “giving him away” due to his left eye having a condition called "cherry eye." Our expectation was for his foster family to convalesce him through his recovery following the corrective surgery necessary for his eye condition (prior to being listed as “available” for adoption). After only a few days in their care, they noticed that Duke wasn't startled by loud noises and became concerned about his ability to hear. Soon after, a vet confirmed their suspicion that he was, in fact, deaf and there was further concern that his eye condition was not cherry eye. Duke was then taken to an animal eye specialist for evaluation where it was discovered that his "cherry eye" was in reality an “underdeveloped” eye which offered him no sight at all. And it turns out that his “normal” (right) eye, which he can see with, has only 75% of the normal field of vision. By the time his foster family realized all that was necessary to help Duke through his multitude of special needs, it was too late… They had fallen in love with Duke and had decided to keep him as their own forever Saint! Duke is quick learner and his Foster family, turned adoptive family, worked with a trainer that specializes in training dogs that have hearing and sight limitations. Duke took his training very well, so well in fact that he passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test with flying colors the first time he took it at only 6 months of age! We couldn’t be happier to have Jeff and Bill adopt our Duke and we know you will all join us in wishing them a lifetime of health and happiness together!

Update: April 7, 2012

Enjoy this video of Duke on a playdate with Sunny Saint Adelle.

Update: August 5, 2012

Enjoy this video of Duke on an impromptu play date with Simba.