Roodie is a 1 year old retriever mix that has been through some hard times in his short life. He was picked up by animal control and it was immediately clear that he had not been treated well by the people around him. For whatever reason, his gorgeous red coat had been cut short - most likely to remove severe mats due to neglect. His shave down was done in a crude way. He had patches of fur left on him but other areas were shaved bald…he was not a pretty picture. As bad as his coat looked, it was the least of Roodie’s problems. His left eye was very infected, swollen, and he obviously had no sight left.

He was taken to the vet and put on a heavy dose of antibiotics and ointments in an effort to save the eye. Despite all these roadblocks, Roodie became a staff favorite at animal control due to his sweet nature and goofy personality. He has been in foster care for several weeks while we continued the treatment of his eye. During his last vet appointment, a decision was made to remove his eye so it would not continue to cause him pain and discomfort. Even though his body has been fighting this infection, his temperament has remained friendly, outgoing, and AMAZING!! You would never know anything was bothering him because he keeps a happy attitude and a playful spirit all the time.

He lives with dogs of all shapes and sizes and wants to play with everyone and everything (even the grouchy older dogs that want nothing to do with him). He has never gotten angry or shown frustration with the eye treatment but has remained a truly happy boy! The awful haircut he received before being rescued is beginning to fill in and his coat should be a rich cinnamon color when grown out. Even though he still faces his surgery to remove his eye, Roodie deserves some attention right now! He has proven himself to be a dog that does not hold grudges but desires all the love and attention he can get. He would be a perfect dog for a family with kids because he wants to get as close to people as possible.

I see a happy future for this special boy filled with dog parks, canine companions, and lots of yummy treats! Roodie will be happy to repay anyone that loves him with sweet kisses, special snuggles, and a lifetime of tail wags!

Can you provide Roodie with the home he needs? Contact Athens Canine Rescue at http://athenscaninerescue.com/.