A Horse is a Horse Of Course Of Couse

MR. ED started his life in a trailer with several other Chows. It was said that the humans in charge of these dogs one day shut the door and never came back. When the dogs were discovered many of them had died and the living ones had survived by eating the ones who had past. Mr. Ed was barely six months old when they were rescued and he had had very little in the way of human contact. He was listed as “the shyest” of the group and placed with a no-kill shelter where he was offered for adoption. Mr. Ed sat in a kennel for two years waiting for someone to take him home. He was adopted out to a girl who had never had a dog before and she was completely unprepared to help this broken, frightened creature. A BCAS volunteer discovered Mr. Ed living on an apartment patio where the girl had kept him for six months. She didn’t allow him inside as she was “afraid” of him. The girl wanted to find Mr. Ed another home but didn’t think that anyone would want such a dog.

When he arrived to Blackberry Canyon he was catatonic and completely unresponsive. Through his bath and haircut he barely moved. It was as though he was someplace else entirely. He was given the name Mr. Ed after the horse who had nothing to say. We had no idea how long it would take to break through his barriers and gain his trust, but we were willing to spend the time. He was housebroken with almost no effort and made friends with the other dogs very quickly—but when it came to people he was lost.

Four weeks into his stay he had claimed a spot on the bed. One day he was in a dead sleep when someone came through the basement door. He lifted up his head, looked at the door and barked. It was the first time he spoke and since then he has not stopped. Mr. Ed is now responsive and loving with an assortment of facial expressions, friends and games he likes to play with the other dogs as well as the humans. He hasn't quite realized that there is enough food for everyone—but he’s making progress. Mr. Ed holds the most improved award at Blackberry Canyon Animal Society.

Ed (left) is pictured here with Molly who has her own story to tell.