According to the World Health Organisation, there are more than 200 million stray dogs on the planet. Every year, around 3.3 million dogs enter animal shelters in the United States. In today’s story we will present you the story of Solo. Solo has had a life that no dog should have. He fended for himself for nearly a decade on the streets of Los Angeles. Solo became ill over time and was no longer able to keep up with the other dogs.
He eventually became too exhausted and weak to continue walking and sat down on a woman’s porch. When the woman found him, she named him Solovino (Spanish for “he came alone”) and sought assistance from Rocket Dog Rescue. He was flown out to San Francisco and placed with a foster family. Solo was unfortunately adopted out several times, only to be returned time after time again but not due to his fault.
Until Carol Messina came across a photo of Solo on the internet and realised she had to save him. “I knew he was going to stay with me forever no matter what when I met him and saw how unhappy he was,” Messina told The Dodo. Solo was wary of others because of his past, and he still isn’t completely trusting of them. He didn’t react normally to those around him, and he flinched whenever someone petted him.
But Messina soon discovered that the problem was more of a hearing problem than a lack of confidence. Solo’s hearing was even worse than anyone had suspected – he was almost deaf. This explains why he would flinch whenever someone touched him; he didn’t like someone creeping up on him when he wasn’t expecting it.
His teeth were also in critical shape and causing him a great deal of discomfort. Thankfully, Messina was able to get him the dental work he need, and after that, he was as good as new! Solo is now a very happy dog who enjoys running about outside and even playing with new dogs. Messina has also discovered new strategies to cope with his deafness-related anxiety.
He wears a harness that says “deaf dog” whenever they go for a stroll so that people don’t pet him without asking. Messina also flickers lights on and off when she enters a room so he is aware of her presence and is not startled. Despite his age, Solo still has a lot of life left in him because to Messina. He will now be able to spend the remainder of his days in a loving home and will never have to worry about being homeless again.
Messina told The Dodo, “I’m quite proud of his improvement.” “It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life, and he’s motivated me to adopt more senior dogs in need of hospice care.”
