Blind from birth, the Shih Tzu dog was rejected by his first owner and the kennel that sold him, but later welcomed by a loving family.
Bento’s story, a 7-month-old white and caramel Shih Tzu, began tragically but transformed into a testament of boundless love and acceptance.
The use of these words comes from the fact that, upon arriving home after being purchased as a puppy from a kennel, the dog started bumping into walls. Concerned about his behavior, his owner took him to the vet to understand what was happening. That’s when she discovered that Bento was blind.
Faced with the diagnosis, she requested a refund from the kennel, but the establishment’s owner also declined to keep him. Euthanasia was nearly chosen for Bento until a 9-year-old child showed interest in adopting him.
From almost being sacrificed to a life full of love
Amid the confusion about what to do with the Shih Tzu, a close friend of veterinarian Rafaella Estrela convinced the kennel owner that neither euthanasia nor giving the dog to a child was the right choice. They believed that someone experienced with animal rescue could provide special care for Bento.
“So, my friend thought of my family. My mother is an animal protector who helps a friend’s shelter and cares for pets with vision problems. We also have a blind cat. In the end, my friend managed to convince both the kennel owner and the former owner (who received her money back) that Bento would be well in my home,” Rafaella says.
Now responsible for him, the veterinarian attempted a final examination in search of a definitive diagnosis. If possible, she would try to restore Bento’s vision. “But the ultrasound showed a congenital problem without a solution,” she says.
In Rafaella’s home, there are ten other dogs in addition to Bento. She notes that the saying “who doesn’t see, doesn’t fear” applies to Bento, who fearlessly integrated with the adult dogs despite his blindness – now, it’s the other dogs who are wary of him, according to Rafaella.
Playful, Bento wakes up early howling for food and only stops when he’s fed. He comes back from the pet shop and immediately wants to play in the yard. Rafaella jokingly says that Bento is a terror to the cats because he wants to play, while they only want to lay down.
Speaking of food, Bento is quite greedy. In addition to his constant howls, he tends to steal food from other dogs and even takes sweet potatoes from the cupboard to munch on, something he loves to do.
As for changes in the routine, there weren’t many. Rafaella explains that since her family already cared for a blind cat, they were accustomed to not moving furniture around.
“Everything stays in the same place, so Bento already knows where each object is. He has a normal life and does everything that any other dog would do. He plays in the sand and gets all dirty,” she explains.
Perhaps the most significant adjustment was with Suri, Rafaella’s other pet, who was quite antisocial, slept in the doctor’s room, and was territorial.
“No one can enter my room. I had to spend time showing Suri Bento through a glass, then on my arm, until finally sitting on the floor with Bento while holding Suri, giving her affection to help her understand that sharing space wasn’t a problem,” she says.
Here, the sentiments of the Shih Tzu Brazil team and admiration for Rafaella remain, as she, as her sister once wrote, “seeks to give love to those who would hardly have a chance.”