Five cyclists discovered an elderly, blind dog, later named Ada, abandoned and weak on a mountain trail. Through a “grueling” group effort, these caring humans gave Ada a second chance for a compassionate, late-life story.
Beautiful day for an old, blind dog – see story at https://t.co/a8Fk64t2mc pic.twitter.com/NHptz51dng
— Albuquerque Journal (@ABQJournal) October 21, 2021
Three miles down the Southern Crossing trail of the Manzano Mountains, the cyclist friends were just out enjoying a lovely September day. At least, they were until they spotted the dog, a Border Collie mix, lying motionless on their path.
As reported by the Albuquerque Journal (ABJ), Ada didn’t flinch or wag her tail, as the strangers approached. “She was very sedate, weak,” said one of the cyclists, Christina Hartsock. “I don’t think she could have made it another day out there.”
Hartsock coincidentally — and luckily — is also a former Rescue Coordinator for the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. “We never could have just left her there,” she said.
Ada had no tags and no collar, her eyes were bright red, she was too frail to walk, and she was very thirsty.
Human Ingenuity & Spirit At Its Finest
One of the cyclists, Donald Griggs, attempted to carry Ada out upon his shoulders, but that proved too difficult. Instead, another of the cyclists, Eliza Linde, supplied her raincoat to alter into a make-shift stretcher.
Two at a time, the cyclists took turns carrying Ada, while the others walked the crew’s bicycles.
It was a nice September day, but still a September day, and according to ABJ, a “grueling” three-mile walk to rescue Ada from the trail.
“It was totally a group effort,” said Hartsock.
A Blind Dog Finds Care, & A New Beginning
Hoping that someone was out there looking for Ada, the cyclists took her to a veterinarian to be examined and checked for a microchip. However, no microchip was found.
Hartsock surmised from Ada’s condition, her intelligence, and her demeanor, that she couldn’t have been out on the trail for more than a few days. So, the group agreed to take her to the Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center to see if someone would come or adopt her.
This shelter gave Ada her new name, but sadly, no one came or adopted her.
Fortunately for Ada, though, one of the shelter workers, Adrianne Lommasson, knew Ed Goodman, proprietor of a non-profit called Tootsie’s Vision.
It’s an organization that advocates for blind dogs and educates people on why they make lovely and loving pets. The organization also specializes in finding homes for blind dogs.
From a post to his Facebook page, Goodman found Melissa and Ryan Benefield.
Foster Parents Become ‘Foster Fails’
While “foster fail” sounds negative, it’s actually a term of endearment.
Some dogs end up being such a superb fit for foster parents that they can’t give them up. In this instance, Ada’s foster parents become “foster fails.”
Friends of the Benefield’s told ABJ they believe this will be the case for Ada and her new humans.
“She’s attached to me,” said Ryan Benefield. “Someone must have taught her to heel because she sticks right next to me. Maybe it just feels more secure to her that way to know where I am.”
He further elaborated that Ada is “very smart,” and fits right in at the Founders Ranch Shooting Range where he works.
And the cyclists, who further include Mark Candelaria and Deanna Araiza, have checked up on Ada’s progress the whole way through. “It’s so great to see so many come together to help this girl,” Hartsock told ABJ.
We couldn’t agree more.
If you’re thinking of giving a blind dog a chance and adopting, please do! Blind dogs are just like any other dogs, and they can live long, full lives with a little help from their humans.
What would you do if you came across a dog on the trail like these cyclists did? Have you ever saved a pup from some kind of similar situation? Let us know in the comments below!
