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We Fostered A Completely Blind Dog From A Very Neglectful Home In Hungary And He Came Back To Life
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We Fostered A Completely Blind Dog From A Very Neglectful Home In Hungary And He Came Back To Life

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On Easter 2018, Marshmallow was rescued from an extremely neglective home in Hungary, together with his doggy family, and was brought to Animal Care Austria’s Hungarian dog rescue station. The abandoned animal was examined by ACA’s volunteer vet team and was diagnosed with severe heart problems and was clearly about to pass away. To top his bad health, he was also found completely blind.

Update: Marshmallow’s in good hands now. I’ve added Marshmallow’s progress update at the end of the post.

More info: animalcare-austria.at | Instagram | rippel.at

Marshmallow’s neglective home in Hungary

We cannot imagine a blind dog, having to struggle to find food and water between the piles of trash he was living in, forced to then fight over it with the other stray dogs of the pack, for what may be his whole 11 years of life! And then to just end it all lying, waiting for his demise, on the concrete floor of a shelter, would just be unbearable. Marshmallow deserved to love and be loved!

Marshmallow waiting for his demise, surrounded by his doggy family in the animal shelter

So (as I was there as well as a volunteer photographer) I just had to bring the poor abandoned dog home, to let him know what love is, in the hope of also saving his life. And we were lucky! Even though Marshmallow was on the verge of death and his days were numbered, the incredible vet team of Tierarzt am Spittelberg managed to save his life, with their special emergency treatment and their endless love and care.

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Being examined in the shelter by the volunteer vet team of Animal Care Austria, who confirmed his critical state

This is the place to thank the two most amazing vets I have ever met, Dipl. Tierarzt Peter Rippel & Dr. Bettina Rippel-Rachlé and their dedicated team, who save so many lives every day. The months of Marshmallow’s recovery were long and sleepless, but they were all worth it, as he got stronger and livelier every day.

Marshmallow and me, on our way home from the shelter

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With the help of bells that I wore on my ankle and Aida, my other Animal Care Austria rescue from Hungary, who became his guiding dog, this adorable dog learned quickly about his new environment and his new life and could finally start enjoying it!

Marshmallow in one of his many infusion treatments at Tierarzt am Spittelberg vet clinique

Marshmallow learning about the good life!

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Marshmallow is now the liveliest dog in our pack, he’s so energetic and so loving! I was right to call him Marshmallow when I took him, he is just the absolute sweetest and fluffiest. He loves leading the way on our walks, even though he cannot see where he’s going, he loves sleeping on soft beds and his most favorite thing in the world are belly rubs! And who can resist rubbing that fluffy belly? In the past 1.5 years since we foster this cute dog, he has made such a long way!

Marshmallow enjoying his favorite thing in the world

Finally enjoying soft beds

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His previous life left huge marks, both physically (his few completely broken teeth that are left, are a result of trying to get to food through hard things, such as throwing away food cans he could find in the trash piles that he was living in and the permanent heart damage that he suffers from due to an untreated tick-related illness that he had) and mentally (can you imagine the mental scars left from the survival-life of a blind, sick dog?!), though we overcame so many of them, as Marshmallow is so smart and full of love and joy!

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He is full of funny faces

Life can be so wonderful

Marshmallow didn’t only get healthier and happier on each day, he also gets more and more beautiful!

He recognizes the sound of our feet and voices and follows us everywhere!

Will you be the one to love Marshmallow forever? Someone answered “Yes”

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Marshmallow was adopted about 2 years ago by the most perfect and loving family. He loves his human siblings with all of his giant heart and so do they.

That was the exact family I have wished for for him as his foster mom and even though saying goodbye to him was hard, I couldn’t be happier for him. They even stayed in touch with me, sending me updates and photos of his wonderful new life.

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He since had to have both of his eyes removed; however, it didn’t matter to him as he was blind. He gets special food cooked for him by his vet’s orders and his heart is doing so much better now!
They also said that he is much calmer now, so I guess he managed to recover from the hardships of his past life.

I know that he really enjoys his forever mom being in home office and that he is by her side as she works every day.

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diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won't lie, I only looked at the cute pix of Marshmallow and avoided the bits that might make me cry! Poor beautiful doggo. I am so happy that Marshmallow has another chance at life - be happy sweet boy. I had a wonderful old dog who went blind and she coped brilliantly. She would make use of rugs we had to work out when to turn or where she was in the house. We didn't teach her or put the rugs down for her - she learned it all by herself. Miss her every day. 💖💖💖

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pics are not pretty, but we've all seen much worse. At least he was not alone or deliberately tortured. But it is incredible how much difference cae and love can make in a dog. I hope he has some wonderful years left to enjoy.

Load More Replies...
c_oriordan avatar
Cherie of Numenor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh for God's sake, now I want to fly to Austria and bring Marshmallow home with me to Florida so he can live a long, frappy life with my corgi as his guide dog. Endless belly rubs and walks on the beach, I PROMISE!!

shlomit_mp avatar
iva_kazalova avatar
Iva Kazalova
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If i was to adopt a pet it would be a disabled one, this post made me tear up, unfortunately i can’t keep pets where i live, but i hope this doggy gets a wonderful new human

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We can not all adopt animals, but maybe you could donate a bit of money and or time to your local good place ? A little bit can help more than you would think.

Load More Replies...
chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gold bless you. I couldn't read the whole post, I started crying. It's wonderful to see Marshmallow happy and loved.

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good story, thank God for the many guardian angels at rescues, even if some do not get a home, they are often better, than where they came from, perhaps for retired people, they could take in a senior dog, or cat, just supply love !!!

jocelyncircusgirl avatar
Jocelyn Circus Girl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are amazing thanks so much for doing this amazing thing 😍 marshmallow looks so much happier, and restless. I hope in a few years, when it is the perfect time, I will adopt a dog, that is unique, and give them love, that they might have never had before. you know, the ones that never had a nice owner, are the ones that give the most love when they get a better one ☺️

meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What. A. Cutie! Thank you for taking him in and nursing him back to life, OP! ❤️❤️❤️

abbie-rogers2018 avatar
SimplySnips
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now he just needs two other furry friends called Choco and Smore in a loving family of his own. I would love to adopt him but I don't have the room for another furry friend at the minute. My house is full of rescue reptiles and small domestics. I hope the sweet boy finds his forever home soon! Great article!

ww_bell avatar
William Bell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a rescue Border Collie. She has been with us for 10 years now. She lost her vision in her left eye about 2 years ago and lost her vision in her right eye over the last year. She follows me all over the house and sleeps next to our bed and next to me wherever I am in the house. Many times a day she walks up to me and lays her head on my knee. I thank her by petting her. We'll just keep making her life as good as we can. She stood by us, we'll stand by her.

zatorskijoan avatar
Joan Zatorski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You made a miracle! What an affirmation of the power of love and attention! Beautiful story, beautiful dog, VERY beautiful rescuer!

bobkegeles avatar
Sonnovab Kegeles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My last boy (an Akita) lost his eyes (both eyes) when he was four. He remained the most loving (yet not " needy" dogs I've ever had. Very independent, made his way around my live/work loft, where boxes and "stuff" moved around everyday, he never ran into the stuff. Simply a wonderful loving guy who taught me so very much. This is him with my ex. 1795974_15...c4278a.jpg 1795974_1504323603155333_2819083666949254207_o-61e7a33c4278a.jpg

bobkegeles avatar
Sonnovab Kegeles
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won't lie, I only looked at the cute pix of Marshmallow and avoided the bits that might make me cry! Poor beautiful doggo. I am so happy that Marshmallow has another chance at life - be happy sweet boy. I had a wonderful old dog who went blind and she coped brilliantly. She would make use of rugs we had to work out when to turn or where she was in the house. We didn't teach her or put the rugs down for her - she learned it all by herself. Miss her every day. 💖💖💖

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pics are not pretty, but we've all seen much worse. At least he was not alone or deliberately tortured. But it is incredible how much difference cae and love can make in a dog. I hope he has some wonderful years left to enjoy.

Load More Replies...
c_oriordan avatar
Cherie of Numenor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh for God's sake, now I want to fly to Austria and bring Marshmallow home with me to Florida so he can live a long, frappy life with my corgi as his guide dog. Endless belly rubs and walks on the beach, I PROMISE!!

shlomit_mp avatar
iva_kazalova avatar
Iva Kazalova
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If i was to adopt a pet it would be a disabled one, this post made me tear up, unfortunately i can’t keep pets where i live, but i hope this doggy gets a wonderful new human

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We can not all adopt animals, but maybe you could donate a bit of money and or time to your local good place ? A little bit can help more than you would think.

Load More Replies...
chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gold bless you. I couldn't read the whole post, I started crying. It's wonderful to see Marshmallow happy and loved.

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good story, thank God for the many guardian angels at rescues, even if some do not get a home, they are often better, than where they came from, perhaps for retired people, they could take in a senior dog, or cat, just supply love !!!

jocelyncircusgirl avatar
Jocelyn Circus Girl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are amazing thanks so much for doing this amazing thing 😍 marshmallow looks so much happier, and restless. I hope in a few years, when it is the perfect time, I will adopt a dog, that is unique, and give them love, that they might have never had before. you know, the ones that never had a nice owner, are the ones that give the most love when they get a better one ☺️

meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What. A. Cutie! Thank you for taking him in and nursing him back to life, OP! ❤️❤️❤️

abbie-rogers2018 avatar
SimplySnips
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now he just needs two other furry friends called Choco and Smore in a loving family of his own. I would love to adopt him but I don't have the room for another furry friend at the minute. My house is full of rescue reptiles and small domestics. I hope the sweet boy finds his forever home soon! Great article!

ww_bell avatar
William Bell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a rescue Border Collie. She has been with us for 10 years now. She lost her vision in her left eye about 2 years ago and lost her vision in her right eye over the last year. She follows me all over the house and sleeps next to our bed and next to me wherever I am in the house. Many times a day she walks up to me and lays her head on my knee. I thank her by petting her. We'll just keep making her life as good as we can. She stood by us, we'll stand by her.

zatorskijoan avatar
Joan Zatorski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You made a miracle! What an affirmation of the power of love and attention! Beautiful story, beautiful dog, VERY beautiful rescuer!

bobkegeles avatar
Sonnovab Kegeles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My last boy (an Akita) lost his eyes (both eyes) when he was four. He remained the most loving (yet not " needy" dogs I've ever had. Very independent, made his way around my live/work loft, where boxes and "stuff" moved around everyday, he never ran into the stuff. Simply a wonderful loving guy who taught me so very much. This is him with my ex. 1795974_15...c4278a.jpg 1795974_1504323603155333_2819083666949254207_o-61e7a33c4278a.jpg

bobkegeles avatar
Sonnovab Kegeles
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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