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double merle, which happens when two merle-patterned dogs are bred together and can result in vision loss. Because of his limited sight, the breeder couldn’t sell him and listed him on a Facebook rehoming page. Thankfully, our volunteer Dina saw the post and stepped in to get Charlie safely into rescue.
He was fostered in North Carolina with five other small dogs before coming north. He’s now living in Reston with an active family that includes three kids (7, 9, and 12) and a playful Labradoodle named Nola. Charlie and Nola became instant best friends, even though she’s more than twice his size. They love to wrestle, play tug, and run around together, with Charlie following Nola’s lead.
Charlie would do best with a playful, confident dog his size or larger to be his buddy and role model. While he is technically blind, he may see some shapes and shadows, and it certainly doesn’t slow him down. It’s the only life he’s ever known, and he navigates the world confidently using his amazing sense of smell and hearing.
His foster mom, Katie, has been amazed at how quickly he adapted to her home and neighborhood walks. Within days, he learned the layout of the house and how to climb the stairs (she usually carries him down for safety). At first, a baby gate kept him in the main living area and blocked the stairs while he got comfortable with the space. After a week, he started barking whenever someone approached the gate. Now, he knows where the stairs are and either steers clear or navigates them confidently on his own.
Charlie is crate-trained and doing well with potty training, though he benefits from regular breaks about every three hours. He doesn’t have accidents in his crate, which his foster family uses when they’re away for longer periods. A home with a flexible schedule is the best fit for him. He enjoys leash walks and exploring the neighborhood with Nola and does best on a short leash for guidance and safety.
Overall, he’s a happy, confident little dog who loves to play, explore, and be part of a loving family.
Katie shared this update:
“Charlie has been absolutely wonderful. He’s great with my kids - sweet, gentle, and never nippy. He’s young, bubbly, curious, and also very food motivated. He’s fearless and confident, doesn’t let his limited vision hold him back, and definitely doesn’t realize his size compared to larger dogs. He’s a rough-and-tumble player who loves romping around with Nola. They even play tug with the same toy, which is just too cute to watch! I love it.
Charlie is a very snuggly dog. He loves to bury his nose near your cheek and sleeps well through the night, cuddling in bed with my kids. He has jumped off beds a couple of times as he’s learning to navigate our home, and it’s been so cool to watch.
He’s playful but not overly energetic and loves all kinds of toys, especially ones that make noise when they hit the floor, squeaks, rattles, or crunchy plastic bottle sounds, which helps him find them quickly. He is so easy to please with treats. I’ve put all kinds of toppers on his food: diced apple, steamed lentils, carrot shreds, blueberries, diced broccoli stems…he loves them all.
I think he really needs a doggy buddy in his new home. He follows Nola and uses her as a guide on walks. not the whole walk, as he definitely wants to do his own thing sometimes. but for segments of the walk.”
Charlie’s ideal home would include another playful canine companion; larger dogs are fine. Like any dog, he’ll need a gradual introduction to a new home, and with his limited vision, taking things a bit slower is important. Starting with one safe room and gradually expanding his access helps him learn his surroundings. When introducing other pets, moving slowly and using jingling tags can help Charlie hear them approaching and feel more comfortable initiating interactions. He’s also best walked on a short leash for added guidance and security.
Charlie is joyful, fearless, and ready for a home that will give him the love, engagement, and structure he needs to be his best self.
Apply today!
BEED ESTIMATE: ShihPoo (Shih Tzu/Poodle Mix)
GENDER: Male
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 19 lbs
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~1 year old
COAT TYPE: longer coat that needs regular grooming.
ADOPTION FEE: $425
OTHER INFO: UTD on shots/neutered/microchipped
LOCATION: Reston, VA
FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to adopt.worthydog and complete the application.
You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to foster.worthydog and fill out an application.
Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.