FAITH, (Now SALLY), The Blind Beagle
Faith in early 1999	And in June of 2003

One day in late 1998, a woman named Faith was driving from Supply toward Southport on Highway 211 when she saw a small beagle walking in circles by the side of the roadway. She stopped to check on the dog. She walked right up to it and the dog didn’t try to run away. Faith could see that the dog’s eyes were matted shut and that it was unable to see. Faith put the little beagle in her car and knowing about the Southport Oak Island Animal Rescue (SOAR), that’s where she took it.

Jeannine, SOAR’s owner, accepted the beagle, named her Faith (after the woman who rescued her) and took her into her home and began cleaning her up; paying special attention to her eyes, removing ‘crust’ and trying to get them to open. Jeannine did the best she could and then she took Faith to the vet. The vet examined her and determined that she had suffered corneal damage and was permanently blind. Jeannine took her to another vet for a second opinion which was the same; Faith was permanently blind.

No one knows exactly how Faith suffered this corneal damage but it was surmised that she was probably part of a group of hunting dogs and while hunting ran into some very damaging bushes or briars that pierced her eyes. Unable to find her way back to her owners or the other dogs, she was left to wander. She may have done this for days before she was found by the side of the road.

Jeannine, like she has for so many other animals that were sick or hurt, took Faith into her house for very special care. Not only was Faith blind, but she also had heartworm. Jeannine saw to it that treatment was started immediately.

Faith loved being petted and Jeannine gave Faith got lots of attention and pets and hugs.

Faith and Charlie (3/1999)

After a few weeks Faith was well enough to be put out in one of SOAR’s outdoor kennels. She quickly learned where her food and water bowls were and her way around the kennel. She was placed with another beagle, Charlie, who somehow sensed Faith’s handicap and decided it was his responsibility to take good care of her. He was very gentle with her and they played together a lot and became best friends.

Faith appeared on the cover of the Wilmington Star News on Sunday, April 4, 1999. The picture that appeared there also appears at the top left of this page. This publicity generated lots of interest and Faith received cards and letters from all over the country. They contained good wishes, inquiries about her current condition, and some people even sent money to help pay her vet bills.

Faith touched the hearts of so many people. Very soon there were offers of adoption. SOAR knew that it would take a very special home for Faith. The people who were caring for Faith thought that it would not be good if young children were present because their ‘running around’ would be very stressful for her. They were also hopeful that another small dog would be in the prospective household who would be willing to be Faith’s protector and friend. The perfect person showed up.

A lady came to SOAR and saw Faith and said that she wanted her. Jeannine told her Faith was blind and this wonderful lady said that made no difference; if she could have her she would take her. They talked about her special needs and what her home environment would be like. The lady explained that Faith would be with other small rescue dogs and there would not be any young children to add to her stress levels. It sounded like the perfect home. It was decided to try Faith out in her new home for a short period to see if she could adapt; and if her prospective new family could also adjust.

Summer 2003

Faith is doing great. It’s been over four years now since this nice lady, to whom Faith’s blindness made no difference at all, took Faith home. Faith’s new mommy, Gisela, renamed her Sally and has been taking wonderful care of her. Sally quickly learned her way around the house; well, at least that part of her house that was important to her. She learned where her food and water bowls were located, how to go in and out of the doggy door to the backyard, and where the sofa and bed are so that she can jump up on both which she does without a problem. She sleeps with Gisela and Gisela helps her down from the bed in the morning.

Sally also has a brother and sister of the canine variety. Junior is another beagle and

Junior and Buffy

>Buffy is a cocker/retriever mix. They too love Sally and take care of her. Like Sally, they were rescue dogs. Junior is very old but new to the household, only three months, and he has a problem, maybe arthritis, in his right front leg. He has a very noticeable limp. So, Gisela is carrying on a long tradition of caring for dogs in need of homes and if they need special attention as Sally and Junior do, then all the better.

There were not any kids in the household as SOAR had hoped but there are kids next door to Sally. Sally loves to go out to the backyard and to the fence by the neighbors and the kids love to come and play with her. So, she has kids to interact with but when she gets tired she just comes back inside.

>Sally is very friendly and loves being petted, just like when she was at SOAR. She also understands Gisela’s voice. When Gisela says ‘Sally, it’s dinner time’ Sally comes running. And if Gisela says ‘Sally, it is time for your bath’ Sally goes running. She doesn’t want a bath and she scampers through her doggy door and out into the back yard and she doesn’t come back in until she perceives a code green condition meaning the threat of a bath has passed.

Thanks to Faith (the woman who found her on Rt. 211 and stopped), to Jeannine for loving and tending to her and finding her a new home, and especially to Gisela who gives her so much love and affection, Sally is leading a very happy life. She is eight years old now (we think) and all who know her love her and want her to live forever.

Sally generated so much interest and cards and letters after she appeared in the Wilmington Morning Star that we are in hopes some of those many fine people who responded will read this and know that the little blind beagle who touched their hearts back in 1999 now has such a good life. And one thing that Gisela wants everyone who reads this to know is that you should not be afraid to adopt a handicapped animal; you soon find out that the handicap is really not a problem at all. Places in heaven await Sally and Gisela.

Epilogue: 1/31/2005. Sally's place in heaven awaits no more. She died at 8:45 tonight. Her lungs just gave out. She had been ill recently having a great deal of difficulty breathing. The vet took x-rays and these x-rays revealed not only the cause of her labored breathing (damage caused by the heartworms of many years ago) but also why Sally was blind. Someone had shot her; her body was riddled with pellets. She was 11 and because of Gisela's loving care she led a peaceful and happy life, albeit a shortened one.