As much as it warms my heart to see adorable animals find their forever homes, it’s a bittersweet reminder that many are overlooked simply because they don’t look a certain way.
This is especially true for animals with disabilities, who often face additional challenges in finding families willing to love them unconditionally.
That’s why, when Lauren noticed a unique little pup among a litter of puppies brought to the shelter, she knew she had to step in.
Meet Charles
When a box of puppies was dropped off at the animal shelter, the staff couldn’t help but be charmed by their cuteness.
But one special pup stood out to Lauren—a tiny black puppy born without eyes.
Lauren knew his journey wouldn’t be easy. “Instantly, I thought, ‘Nobody is going to want a puppy with no eyes,’” she shared with The Dodo. “It’s so hard to find homes for them. So I took him, and I fostered him.”
In the early days, life was challenging for Charles.
He struggled to navigate his surroundings, often bumping into things. But Lauren wasn’t about to give up on him.
Finding His Way
Determined to help Charles thrive, Lauren developed a clever solution.
“Anywhere I went, I would make these clicking noises,” she explained. “His ears would perk up, and he would prance right over to me. He really used me as his Seeing Eye human.”
As time passed, Charles began to adapt. He learned to follow the sound of Lauren’s footsteps, no longer needing her clicks to guide him.
A Bond Like No Other
With each passing day, Lauren and Charles grew closer.
He spent his days playing by her side and his nights sleeping on top of her head, fully embracing the love and safety of his foster home.
For Lauren, Charles wasn’t just another foster; he was something more.
Ever since losing her heart dog, Tasi, Lauren had felt an unfillable void. But with Charles, something changed. “He gave me an indescribable sense of comfort that helped me move forward,” she said.
The Decision to Stay
When the time came for Charles to leave and catch a flight to his new home, Lauren realized she couldn’t say goodbye.
“We decided to adopt Charles officially,” Lauren said with a smile. “My family was super excited. I simply couldn’t imagine life without him.”
A Bright Future
Today, Charles is living the life he deserves. Surrounded by a family that showers him with love, he’s overcome his disability to shine as the happy, playful pup he was always meant to be.
Lauren’s unwavering dedication gave Charles a chance to thrive, proving that love truly sees no limits.
Here’s to Charles and his incredible journey! May his days be filled with endless joy and adventures.
Have fun, Charles—you’ve earned it!