On Easter Sunday 2018, Marshmallow and his canine family were taken to Animal Care Austria’s Hungarian dog rescue station after being rescued from an abusive environment in Hungary. The ACA’s volunteer vet team evaluated the abandoned animal and discovered that it had severe cardiac issues and was imminently going to die. On top of his poor condition, he was blind.
We find it difficult to imagine a blind dog fighting for food and water with the other stray dogs for possibly his whole 11-year lifespan while scrounging around amid piles of trash. And to put an end to it all by waiting for his death while lying on the shelter’s hard floor would be intolerable. Marshmallow was deserving of love and affection.
Since I was already there as a volunteer photographer, I felt compelled to take the poor, abandoned puppy home so that he might experience love and, hopefully, live to see another day.
And we were fortunate. Even though Marshmallow was close to death and his days counted, the veterinary staff at Tierarzt am Spittelberg saved his life with exceptional emergency care and never-ending affection.
The time has come for me to express my gratitude to Dipl. Tierarzt Peter Rippel & Dr. Bettina Rippel-Rachlé and their dedicated team save many lives daily. Marshmallow’s recuperation took several long, sleepless months, but it was all worthwhile since he grew stronger and more vibrant every day.
This wonderful puppy quickly adjusted to his new surroundings and way of life thanks to the bells I wore on my ankle and Aida, my second Animal Care Austria rescue from Hungary, who served as his guide dog. Now, he can finally begin to enjoy it!
Marshmallow is currently our pack’s liveliest dog since he is so friendly and energetic. When I adopted him, I was right to call him Marshmallow because he is just the nicest and fluffiest thing ever. He enjoys taking the lead on our walks even though he is blind, and his absolute favorite thing in the world is to get belly massages. This adorable puppy has come a long way in the past 1.5 years since we fostered him!
His previous life left him with severe scars physically. His few remaining completely broken teeth by eating thrown away food cans that he could find in the trash piles he was living in and the permanent heart damage he suffers from due to an untreated tick-related illness. Can you imagine the mental scars left from the survival life of a blind, sick dog? Though we overcame so much.
About two years ago, Marshmallow was adopted by the most ideal and devoted family. He and his human siblings share a tremendous amount of love.
Even though it was hard to say goodbye to him, I could not be happier for him. That was the exact family I had desired for him in my role as his foster mother. Even after that, they stayed in touch, sending me updates and pictures of his lovely new life.
Since he was blind, it didn’t matter that he had to have both of his eyes removed. His heart is doing so much better now, thanks to the special diet his veterinarian has provided for him!
They also mentioned that he is a lot calmer now. Therefore, I assume that he overcome the difficulties of his previous life.
He finds his eternal mother’s home office very enjoyable and spends by her side as she works every day.