Vet warns family that dog is mentally challenged – but they insist on bringing him home
While you want your dog to be perfect, that is not always the case. Just like people, dogs can suffer from a variety of physical and mental ailments. For one family, the fact that the dog they wanted to adopt was deemed mentally challenged did not matter to them.
They were determined to make him a part of their family and provide him with a happy home.
Stanley was a little different than other dogs
It was apparent to everyone that the golden retriever, named Stanley, was different. At first, his specific quirks alarmed his mom and dad. While he was friendly and loving enough, as well as physically healthy, they could tell there was more going on with him.
His family found him sleeping on a table
The first sign of something different was when the family first decided to adopt Stanley from Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida. As they went to pick him up from the foster home, they found him sleeping on the table.
Despite this odd behavior, they both fell in love with Stanley and went ahead with the adoption.
Stanley quickly became a part of the family
The best part was that Stanley fit right in with their kids and got along with the family’s other pets. It was when they tried to train him that they realized his problems were more severe than they initially thought.
First, he never responded to his name when called.
Getting Stanley evaluated
Stanley’s family was determined not to give up on him. But, they were afraid he would hurt himself climbing onto the counters and tables in the home. So, they hired professional trainers to try and get through to him. After two trainers quit, one of them even going so far as to call him mentally challenged, they decided to have him checked by the vet.
Through various tests, it was determined that Stanley was, at the very least,y stubborn and at worst suffered some effects from inbreeding. He was also very obsessive-compulsive with certain actions, following a routine with most things, constantly gathering items, such as a slipper, the remote, and certain stuffed animals.
Stanley’s family was determined to love him regardless of his issues
Despite his quirks, Stanley’s family was determined to love him just as much. He was physically healthy and was friendly enough, which was good enough for them.
“He may be a bit slow, but his silly quirks, good nature, and odd little personality makes us love him even more,” his parents said.
Mental disorders in animals are caused by a variety of things, including illness, physical pain, or degenerative issues, among others. If you think your pet has some kind of mental disorder, have your vet evaluate them.
If they do have a disorder, you have some options in treating them, such as exercise, mental stimulation, and medication. Most of all, have patience with your pet and take them to the vet for regular checkups.
Fortunately, mental issues are not common with animals, but they can occur. The video below discusses dogs that are mentally challenged in more detail.
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