Patch/NJ Aid for Animals Pet of the Week: Emily

New Jersey Aid for Animals board member Kelly Matthews, a Gloucester Township resident, submitted the following to Patch:

Emily sure has come a long way from not being able to get out of her crate due to fear and frailty. This was a reality for her not too long ago. Emily is a survivor of abuse. You wouldn't know it today because Emily is a rock star now!

Everyone loves her and she hasn't met anyone she doesn't like. Emily has never once show signs of aggression despite all that she's been through. She is a tiny bit forgetful, but it makes life fun, that's for sure. Due to her not having her sight, she sometimes forgets who was in the room with her unless she can hear them.

Her foster mom tells us, "It's almost like the movie 50 First Dates. I talk to Emily a lot to remind her I am here. The longer she's with me, the less I have to do this because she is learning where she is and recognizing cues from her environment. Anyone who adopts her will need to remember this. It's an adjustment period that can't be rushed."

This shouldn't stop you from giving Emily a chance to become a part of your family. Sight-challenged dogs are just like any other dog with an added dash of excitement. 

Emily has been working on basic commands such as "Steps," "Down," and "Up" to help her know what type of terrain she's about to encounter. Emily is also even learning "Sit," quite a challenge since she can't see what it is she's supposed to be doing but our smart girl is ready to tackle anything! Most of all we know Emily would like a family or person to call her own. She's been from Philadelphia to Texas and back to New Jersey again and even though we love her very much, she deserves to belong to someone. We want her to have her own couch to curl up on and covers to steal. Emily has stolen our hearts and if you spend more than a few moments with her she is guaranteed to steal yours as well.

She is up-to-date on shots, spayed and house-broken. Emily is also crate-trained. Once let out of her crate in the morning, she will not go out to potty until she has had her fill of kisses and love, says Emily's equally loving foster mom! She loves to snuggle most of all. This sweet girl who has so much love to give would do best in a home with no other animals and with someone with prior experience with sight-challenged animals. Please fill out our adoption application if you would like to make Emily a member of your family! 

New Jersey Aid for Animals is a Winslow Township-based no-kill animal charity enriching the lives of animals by providing programs for domestic animals on wellness, humane education, and spay and neuter, with a focus on impoverished communities. It also reports cases involving and pursues justice for abused animals.