Rudy—a true American dog. Despite his breed's "down-under" name (Australian Shepherd), Rudy comes from a long line of herding dogs who made their mark on the American West. Originally bred by big sky ranchers to work cattle and sheep, Aussies continue to thrive because they're visually striking, strong and brave-hearted, and utterly devoted to their human pack.
True to his ancestry, Rudy is intelligent, engaging, eager to please and possessed of a mind of his own. He is a joy to know.
Yet for all the good he inherited, he was betrayed by irresponsible breeders who mated his parents, two merle-coated Aussies. Dear Rudy came into this world with two genetic flaws. He's almost completely blind and deaf. The double defect known among Aussie devotees as "lethal white" comes from crossing two merles.
Rudy lives a silent world of shadows.
Left to blindly wander a Greensboro neighborhood for days, finally a kind soul realizing he couldn't see to dodge traffic, allowed him into her home. A struggling single mother with two dogs of her own let him stay for about a month until the SPCA of the Triad could find room for him at our shelter.
He arrived at the SPCA malnourished and ridden with almost every parasite known to torment homeless and neglected dogs, including dreaded heartworms.
You'll read more about Rudy's story, and more animals like him at the SPCA, in the spring issue of SPCA Today. For every fur-kid we save, the SPCA must raise an average of $250 to provide shelter, veterinarian care and medicines. Your donation will go directly to help animals like Rudy. Please consider sending a donation to the SPCA of the Triad, P.O. Box 4461, Greensboro, NC 27404.
On Rudy's behalf, everyone at the SPCA thanks you for your support.
