Happy Tails
The Amazing Gus
By Stefanie J.
As a puppy, Gus has seen the best and worst in humanity. Gus (F/K/A Snuggles) was born blind due to a rare condition. He came from a non-reputable breeder where Gus’s mother was neglected. She may have been sick while pregnant, affecting Gus’s development. The breeder discarded him but, luckily, someone found him and he made his way to Pet Haven.
That’s the unhappy beginning. But, at approximately nine months old, Gus is a thriving Lhasa Apso who amazes people. “He was the easiest puppy I ever had. He was house-trained immediately and good on a leash,” his foster mom Robin says. Out of all her fosters, “people gravitated towards him the most. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Robin says. In fact, Robin almost adopted him herself.
But destiny was at work when Ruth (Gus’s new mom) saw Gus on Petfinder.com. Her eight-year-old Golden Retriever, Midas, was lonely ever since Ruth’s roommate moved out and took her dog, Rupert, with her. Ruth thought Gus was just “too perfect”. Midas was training for therapy dog certification and Ruth wanted her next dog to be a therapy dog too. Being blind made Ruth more attracted to Gus because he is overcoming disabilities. “I thought he’d be an inspiring guy for people with disabilities and illnesses – he’s impressive,” says Ruth.
Ruth has had Gus for several weeks now and he has adapted well. His name was changed from Snuggles to Gus because Gus means “regal or exalted” and Ruth wanted him to have a dignified name like Midas (for King Midas).
In Gus, Midas got the friend he craved. “They get along well and are great together. It’s better than I ever hoped,” Ruth says. “They play like crazy and wrestle all day long.”
Gus has found ways to manage. He used to bump into things a lot but has learned his way around. Ruth has a big back-yard and he’s learned where the trees and other obstacles are. If he gets confused, he barks for help. He also just learned how to get up on the sofa by himself.
When they go for walks around Lake Harriet, Gus sometimes holds on to Midas’s tail so he can follow – as long as Midas will tolerate it, anyway. He also likes to sit down in the walk way. He holds his head up to observe, turns and sways it, listens with a big grin – sort of a “Stevie Wonder” thing.
Gus’s days include playing with toys, flip-flops and socks. Often, he plays outside. Once a week he has a play-date at Ruth’s old roommate’s house with Rupert. Ruth, Midas and Gus also go on lots of walks and even attended Doggie Palooza and Woofstock.
Gus is happy and doesn’t seem to know he’s blind. Ruth says he is “laid-back, silly, sweet and pretty in tune with people and other dogs…I couldn’t be happier with him. I’m so glad I found him – he’s a perfect match in every way."