This Family Left Their Blind Dog Behind For $20, But Kind Souls Saw His True Worth
Dogs, especially those with special needs, should never be left to fend for themselves on the streets.
Sadly, some pet owners fail to understand the value of unconditional love.
Heartless Abandonment Leaves Jake Alone
One day, animal control officers discovered a tiny Chihuahua-Papillon mix lost on the streets of Los Angeles.
After rescuing him, they quickly realized the little dog was blind.
Source: YouTube
Hoping to reunite him with his family, they tracked down his owners, thinking they’d be overjoyed to get him back.
But the reunion wasn’t to be. Jake’s owners refused to pay the $20 fee to bring him home, heartlessly declaring, “he is not worth it.”
Source: YouTube
Shelter workers were shocked, but it was Jake who suffered the most. He curled up in his small bed, devastated.
The shelter staff, deeply moved by his plight, vowed to never give up on him.
A Foster Family Brings Hope
Just a few days after Jake’s heartbreaking abandonment, an animal control officer reached out to her friend, Tera McCurry, the director of Doggie Protective Services, a rescue group in California.
Source: YouTube
“She said that they have the cutest little dog, and he is around 1 year old, and he is very friendly,” Tera told The Pet Collective Cares.
However, when Tera asked if something was wrong with him, the officer hesitated. That’s when Tera guessed the truth—Jake was blind.
Aware of the challenges blind dogs face in shelters, especially in Southern California, Tera knew she had to act.
Source: YouTube
“Blind dog in the shelter, in Southern California, is not adoptable at all,” she explained. “I think the only hope of the blind dog getting out of the shelter, most of the time, in Southern California, is through a rescue.“
Determined to give Jake a second chance, Tera became his foster mom.
Source: YouTube
Over time, Jake flourished, becoming the family’s favorite. His playful spirit and loving nature made everyone forget his blindness.
“If people could just see past his disability, they would have just seen the amazing dog he was,” Tera said.
A Forever Home Filled With Love
Tera’s words rang true.
During an adoption event organized by Doggie Protective Services, a woman named Heidi happened to walk by.
Immediately smitten by Jake’s charm, she felt a strong connection but hesitated when she learned he was blind.
Despite her initial uncertainty, Heidi couldn’t stop thinking about him. Week after week, she returned, unable to resist Jake’s pull.
Finally, after three weeks, she knew Jake belonged in her family.
Source: Heidi Beecher Schlagel
Jake’s transition to his new home was seamless.
His new siblings welcomed him warmly, and he quickly bonded with his big brother, River.
“It’s funny, he runs on the beach just like my other dogs do, he attacks his brothers just like any other dog would,” Heidi shared. “He’s like any other dog…“
For Jake, it wasn’t just about being worth $20—he found a family that valued him beyond measure.
