Jacko, a 6-year-old blind border collie, needed to be evacuated from the shelter where he was living for over a year in the UK. His living situation was extremely stressful and it seemed that he was running out time to find a family.
Jacko almost gave up on hope when the perfect application appeared.
“Jacko struggled in kennels,” Cassie Mogford, Many Tears Animal Rescue volunteer, told The Dodo. “[Because he couldn’t see,]The noise would stress him out. And, though he was very popular with all the staff and we would fill his days as much as possible every day, it was never as good as what a home could offer.”
Jacko kept a positive attitude despite his difficult circumstances. Shelter volunteers noted he’s “extremely cuddly, affectionate, intelligent and a very happy lovely boy.” But due to Jacko’s need for gentle, slow introductions, potential adoptions took time.
“We made the decision that Jacko should be rehomed in a calm environment, with one or two people, so that he could build trust,” Mogford said. “Plus, [someone with] a large, secure area that he could safely and securely run around in without having to go out on the streets and public playing areas.”
He was also placed in an adult-only home by the shelter, which further reduced the number of potential adopters. Sue was next.
“Sue saw a video on TikTok that we made of Jacko once he had been with us for one year,” Mogford said. “She came to meet Jacko after filling out her application form and fell in love. Our staff then took Jacko personally to her home to ensure that his journey was as stress-free as possible and to ensure that he was set up for a successful introduction to his new dog friends and home.”
Jacko quickly bonded with Sue after his application was approved.
“Jacko now lives in the perfect location,” Mogford said. “Sue has worked wonders with him. She has acres of land for Jacko to run free, and she’s a dog trainer with experience [training]Blind dogs We couldn’t have asked for a better home!”
Jacko is free to run around here.
@manytearsanimalrescueJACKO GOES HOME!! #manytears #dogrescue #rescuedog #gotchaday #collie #specialdog #rescuelife ♬ At Last – Etta James
“I knew he was for me right from the start,” Sue told The Dodo. “He was a bit institutionalized at first and struggled with his new regime of complete freedom, and his manners with the other dogs have sometimes been a little off, but that is a work in progress. He warmed up to me very quickly.”
And, though Jacko isn’t interested in playing ball or tug-of-war, he adores playtime with Sue’s other dog, Zoom.
“I have been going through a rough patch lately, and having Jacko [and Zoom] to concentrate on has helped lift my spirits,” Sue said. “He really does deserve a chance at a forever home. I have the greatest respect for the rescue team, and all that they have done to get this dog. [to this point].”
Not only did Jacko find a forever home with a fun, new brother, but he also has space to run as fast and as free as he wants — and he’s loving every second of it.
