Morris was incorrect for a stack of materials near a waterway in Greater Manchester
A blind and deaf dog that appeared like a ‘pile of rags’ when he was discarded by a canal in Greater Manchester has actually gone through an incredible improvement with a brand-new owner. The barely-breathing Shih Tzu, who rescuers called Morris, was found with badly matted fur next to the side of a waterway in Greater Manchester.
Morris was at first found by a walker near the Ashton Canal, at Portland Basin, in Ashton-under-Lyme, on Friday, March 25, prior to being given the RSPCA.
A walker who initially discovered him was so puzzled by his appearances that he believed he was a cluster of disposed of material – prior to understanding he was a “terrified” dog. He brought the pooch home to recover and after that took him to a close-by veterinarian, who then reported him to the RSPCA.
The charity’s staff then went to work slashing off 1.3kg of matted fur that had actually stopped him from moving, which led them to discover that he was blind. Morris invested a couple of months with the RSPCA prior to sprightly pensioner Josephine Newhall, 82, fell for the adventurous dog and embraced him.
He now has the run of her cottage, where he has actually even discovered a sweetheart in the form of her child’s dog, a Lhasa apso called Ruby. Josephine, of Wythenshawe, Grtr. Manchester said: “Morris is a beautiful little dog and enjoys snuggling up to me on the settee.
“He is great company and when you think where he has come from it is a miracle he is still here. We knew he was blind when we took him in. But I have the perfect home for him and he can get in and out of the garden very easily so it is no problem for him.
“I have also found out he is deaf too – but he doesn’t let these disabilities hold him back at all. He loves playing with his tennis ball and loves Ruby to visit but she can be boisterous for him sometimes so he will let her know. They are really good friends and it has helped his confidence.”
She added: “The RSPCA did a fantastic job in rescuing and rehabilitating him and I am glad he has the happy ending he deserves.”
When inspector Ryan King received a call about him, he rushed to dog the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for emergency veterinary treatment.
He said: “When the man who found Morris first came across him he was laying next to a bench near the canal. As he wasn’t moving he thought the poor pet was already dead.
“On closer inspection, he realised he was breathing but his fur was so heavy and matted he appeared unable to move and he was obviously terrified. Vets at the animal hospital later found he was blind in one eye with glaucoma and had very little sight due to cataracts.
“So it is not surprising he would have been too terrified to move from where he was abandoned. Sadly the vets did all they could to save the eye with cataracts but it later had to be removed.
He added: “I am delighted to see him settled in a new home loving life. It makes my job so worthwhile and this is why we need people to support our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to help rescue and rehome more dogs like Morris.”
