Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

This phrase is attributed to novelist Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, author of Molly Bawn, published in 1878, and without doubt, it really is true. If you think about it, we live in a world where appearance is everything. Humans spend so much time, money and effort making themselves look good, particularly for other people. Strange really, as apart from looking in the mirror, we don’t actually see ourselves, but the designer clothes with designer accessories, along with immaculate coiffured hair, are so important for some. However, what if you are born disfigured or, as a result of an injury, look different? Unfortunately, you have to endure the stares purely because your looks don’t conform to that designer look. And what if you are a dog that looks different and needs a home, but as people come and stare, they don’t see the dog, just something that looks different.

In shelters everywhere, the staff look on with despair as prospective adoptees look at certain dogs and immediately walk past anyone that they see that fails to conform to the norm.

As dogs with deformities and disfigurements wag their tails, look appealingly at families hoping for that forever home, sadly, it rarely comes, and why, because plain and simply, the dog doesn’t conform. It’s ugly.

Fortunately, there are some folks who see beyond appearance.

Looking beyond appearance

In Canada, we meet Brodie, a German Shepherd/Border Collie cross. He was attacked by his mum when he was a few days old, which has left him with what has been called a “wonky” face.

Having been adopted once but returned as too hyper, Brodie eventually was taken by Amanda Richter, who saw his photo, cried, met him, spent a few hours taking him for a walk and then took him home and never looked back. Yes, he is a bit lively, but surely that can be the case for any adopted pet, and that can be channelled into something constructive.  Amanda has no doubt that Brodie will eventually be trained as a therapy dog to assist those people who are having to cope with the issues of disfigurement.

In Romania, a street dog and her puppies were found abandoned, but one of them would have been unlikely to have ever found a permanent home. Bethany was born badly disfigured, probably due to genetics, and although she has the appearance of a Labrador, it is believed that she is part Pekinese. She was transferred to the UK by a charity called Safe Rescue for Canines. Fortunately, Bethany’s mum was rescued before Bethany was born, so she has never known the cruelty that befalls so many like her. Yes, she is a little strange to look at, but the charity that rescued her states that she is a happy dog without any issues, wags her tail constantly and has a clean bill of health.

In the USA, Picasso has a rare condition called “Leftward campylorrhinnis lateralis and prognathia.” I must admit that was a new one for me; even pronouncing it is a bit of a mouthful. The common term for this deformity is “Wry nose.” His condition has not affected his ability to enjoy life. He is able to eat and drink normally, and he is affectionate and plays with other dogs. He enjoys chewing a bone, albeit slightly sideways, and is able to live a normal life. Picasso needs his face wiped daily and his teeth cleaned, but apart from that, life is wonderful. The good news is that three veterinary surgeons were consulted regarding performing a surgical procedure to correct his deformity, but the vets were unanimous that surgery was unnecessary, as Picasso is able to live a normal life.

Second chances

And finally, in America, we go to Texas to meet a dog given away as a puppy for free because “he didn’t look right” After five years of neglect, the yellow Labrador weighed a mere 42 pounds, was riddled with heartworm, and given a 50/50 chance of survival by a veterinary surgeon. Having lived outdoors, he wasn’t housetrained or socialised. However, he was one of the lucky ones; he was adopted by Jamie Hulit and named Beaux Tox. After a year, the transformation was incredible, with Riley and Scout, his new siblings, Beaux Tox was healthy and leading a great life.

When we adopt a dog, we need to remember that to their eyes, we may not look as handsome as we think we look, but they see beyond our physical appearance.