@one.eyed.zuko

🤍 Can you share with us your rescue story?

I am studying to become a vet tech, and Zuko originally came to my clinic so we could remove his eye, which had been too damaged by untreated glaucoma to save. He had been surrendered to a rescue that was paying for his surgery, and while he was there in our care, I absolutely fell in love with him. I had always wanted a Shiba and suddenly had one right in front of me who needed a home, and someone who knew how to take care of him. It felt like fate! I had to wait a few weeks for him, but once he had healed and was ready for adoption, I reached out to the rescue, and they were all too happy to let me bring him home. It was one of the best days of my life!

🤍 Tell us about Zuko’s personality!

A lot of people don’t like Shibas because they’re distant and aloof - everything is on their terms and if they don’t like something, they will let you know. They are really more like a cat than a dog! But Zuko...He loves to cuddle, and he is happiest when he is near someone. His favourite thing in the world is a good scratch and a long belly rub, and he will very clearly let you know that he wants attention. He is a goofball who also loves to carry his treats around everywhere, and then only settle down to eat them when he can be next to me.  Also, in true Shiba fashion he doesn’t bark, he talks - and has no trouble talking back to you when you tell him no!

🤍 What is a typical day like to him?

His day starts when I get up - He LOVES to sleep, and he won’t get out of bed until I do. Then we have breakfast, I give him his meds, and we head to work! Because I work at a vet clinic, I am able to bring him with me; He has his own kennel that he hangs out in, and he gets so much love and probably way too many treats from his work aunties. Then when we get home, we play! He gets zoomies as soon as we walk in the door, and he has a favourite little stuffed toy that he loves to throw around and pounce on. When he’s tired out, he has dinner, and then he has his meds again, he gets his nightly dental chew, and we head to bed. He sleeps curled up right next to me, ready to be woken up the next morning to do it all again!

🤍 Can you tell us how it feels like having a dog with one eye?

It’s been a bit of a challenge for sure...Zuko also has glaucoma in his remaining eye, so he gets multiple eye drops four times a day to help control his eye pressure. He also gets routine eye pressure checks every couple of weeks and while there’s been some scary spikes, a recent laser surgery has evened it out to more normal levels. But he is worth every moment of it!

🤍 Did you have to move furnitures around your house when you had to bring your bestie home?

Thankfully no - He was right at home! He hopped up on the couch almost immediately and fell asleep.

🤍 Can you share some tips in building his confidence in moving around?

For the most part, he doesn’t have any issues getting around, and confidence is something he has tons of! He adapted to losing his eye pretty quickly and it doesn’t seem to bother him. He can be a little startled if someone comes up on his blind side too quickly, but most people have been pretty good at asking me if they can approach him, then introducing themselves to him slowly and where he can see them.

🤍 Any tricks and habits of Zuko you would like to share?

He knows to wait patiently for his food, and he always sits for me right before I give him his bowl!

🤍 What is your favorite thing to do together?

Go for walks! Here in Canada we’re still waiting for spring but I can’t wait for warmer days where we can be out in the sunshine!

🤍 How does Zuko cheer you up when you’re sad?

Cuddles...Lots and lots of cuddles. There is nothing better than giving him a giant hug!

🤍 What does FriendshipCollar mean to you?

It means having a little reminder of your best friend, no matter where you are.

🤍 Complete the sentence. Zuko is my best friend because…

He is everything in the world I ever wanted! He is also the first dog I have owned by myself and without question he is my heart dog... I can’t imagine life without him. ❤️