Living Their Best Lives: Dogs and Cats with Health Conditions and Physical Impairments

Boston Fetch is built on a foundation of equality and inclusivity. It’s important to us that every dog and cat have the ability to play, socialize, exercise and be loved by the most talented pet care professionals in the industry and the best pack of furry friends in Boston. While most of our pack live without visible disabilities we want to extend a paw to all pets living with physical impairments, those who may be living with mental illness, or dogs or cats with a biological illnesses to join the fun!

The inclusion of pets with these conditions is something really important to me - a dog dad to a blind hound and as a pet care professional. As I’ve written about in previous posts, my wife and I adopted a blind street dog, Ray, in 2021 to live alongside our aging dog, Hogie, in hopes of giving her a second wind (Long story short - it was a success!)

Frankie and Ray are BFFs and she has no idea that Ray is any different than her other pals!

Before Ray joined our household I worried whether he would be able to keep up with me and the pack. While Hogie regularly joined me in the field I assumed I would keep Ray at home, because I was concerned he could not fit in with the other non-disabled dogs in the pack. My worry was that his blindness would make him fearful of new experiences which would, in turn, develop into behavioral issues. That concern then led me to question whether I could provide Ray the quality of life he deserved. And that thought triggered me to feel powerless to help Ray and ashamed that I may let my new friend down. And then that thought… Well, you see where I’m going with this, right? An endless spiral of doubt and misery for me and Ray.

Social media has a vast and beloved following of pet with disabilities. Check our tags like #dogwheelchair #blinddog #tripoddog Photo courtesy of walkinpets on Instagram

Despite my propensity to doom spiral, I am happy to report I was wildly incorrect about my assumption. It was clear that he wanted to walk, play, socialize, and adventure with the pack at Boston Fetch. At the end of the day Ray is still a dog and he wants to do dog things - sight or no sight! Ray had adapted to his circumstances, overcome his lack of sight, and wanted to carry on with life! It didn't hurt that Boston Fetch has the best, most kind, and playful pack in Boston that eagerly welcomed him regardless of his impairment. With a careful introduction to his pack members (and a little more guidance on the leash than most dogs need) he successfully became Boston Fetch’s newest pack member.

Ray, Kobe, and Vivian love their groups walks. Tiny, medium, and giant - it’s all fun to them!

I had almost allowed my own assumptions about his impairment to arbitrarily narrow the scope of his world. Good thing I listened to him instead of falling prey to my own fears, anxiety and assumptions! With the correct guidance and support he’s been able to join the pack with me nearly everyday and lives quite the charmed life (if I do say so, myself!)

At Boston Fetch we understand, and empathize, with the isolated and helpless feeling of having a pet that may not fit in with the rest of the pack. But as someone who has been through it, I know that happiness and friendship for your pet can be found. We want you to know that we are here to help your pet find the fun, active lifestyle they crave despite anything mental, physical, or biological that they may be living with. If you have been meaning to get your pup out with our pack click here to schedule a Meet and Greet and chat with one of our Pet Care Professionals about finding the best fit for your furry friend!

Here are some of our pack members at Boston Fetch that are living extraordinary lives!