Franklin

Born around 2020, weighing 21kg and fostered in Essex, Franklin is an easy-going, confident, affectionate, clever and obedient blind boy. When the vet in Macedonia examined him for his passport, they recognised his big characteristic drop ears and gentle face as those of a Posavac Hound, and he certainly seems to have the lovely characteristics of that breed type.

Franklin was rescued from desperate conditions – severely malnourished, chained and frightened. Some of the photographs show this sad situation. But he trotted into his foster carer’s house with his head held high, immediately making himself at home and ready to please his new carers.

Franklin is a brave soul who doesn’t take long to adapt to new situations. He had mapped the house within hours, learned to climb stairs in a few days, and boings around the garden doing fearless blind zoomies! He’s not precious or too careful: he loves being outside and only needs a bit of steering and reassurance on lead, and has already learnt ‘up’ and ‘down’ for approaching steps. Franklin travels well and is also extremely tolerant taking his twice-a-week eye drops (cost of which is approximately £10 per month), happy to trust and surrender himself to his carers. Things that might initially have been scary like noisy traffic or crashing waves he now takes in his stride – he loves life and approaches it with eager curiosity.

Most of all, Franklin is human-orientated. He wants love and company above all else. He will always chose contact if possible, just letting his paws touch you on the sofa or burrowing his head in close to your body when offered a scratch or cuddle. He’ll roll over and squirm in excitement with his legs flailing for a belly rub, or barely contain his joy with being snuggled in a towel after running into the breakers at the seaside – one of his new favourite things. He has been a massive hit with visitors, especially children (10+).

Franklin is also comfortable and independent; not needy. He’s happy in his own space, sunbathing, sleeping, sniffing around. He is fine to be left alone for a few hours. Indoors he’ll sleep for most of the time – sure, he’ll wake up instantly if the fridge door opens (he’s a massive foodie), or when it’s time for the walk he loves – but he doesn’t need tons of exercise and stimulation; he doesn’t pester, he takes life as it comes.

Franklin would be perfectly content as an only dog, but could also live with another confident, and calm dog. Franklin is an intuitive chap; he feeds off the energy and vibes of others. A dog who’s comfortable in their own skin will immediately give Franklin signals to relax, but it’s also the case that Franklin can pick up on and mirror the behaviours of dogs who show nervousness, insecurity or reactivity. He is a strong and agile dog when he wants to be, so his new human(s) just need to be aware of his being impressionable and be able to give him reassurance and a sense of protection. At the moment he prefers space or gentle introductions when meeting other dogs out on walks - like many blind dogs he does not like a boisterous or demanding newcomer jumping up at him – but this loving, brave boy is also just as often seen wagging his tail and wanting to say hello.

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