Meet Darnel (aka Dougie!). He is a 4 year old, 80lb yellow lab. Dougie has a sad story….he has been on a journey to find his forever home. He was originally purchased for breeding and ultimately passed home to home after his owner could no longer care for him. He was adopted last year but was recently returned. He lived in an active household with frequent visitors and was very stressed with the high-activity. Upon veterinary evaluation, it was determined that Darnel has progressive retinal atrophy. This is a genetic condition that limits his vision and will eventually lead to permanent blindness. He is looking for a quiet home with a consistent routine to help manage his condition.
Personality: Darnel/Dougie is pure joy wrapped in a Lab coat. Sweet, affectionate, and incredibly easygoing, he has never met a stranger and loves everyone he meets. He’s the kind of dog who happily tags along to breweries, greets new friends with a wagging tail, and soaks up every bit of attention he can get.
Despite being diagnosed with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and gradually losing his vision, Dougie approaches life with an infectious zest and enthusiasm. He absolutely loves toys and plays with the excitement of a toddler discovering something new. His happy-go-lucky attitude is impossible not to love. He also adores other dogs and would thrive with a calm canine companion to help him navigate his world. Because his vision is declining, Dougie would do best in a quieter household with a predictable routine where he can feel safe and confident.
Training: Dougie is house-trained and has excellent manners in the home. He’s so trustworthy that he doesn’t require a crate and does well with free roam of the house. His easygoing personality and adaptable nature make him a wonderful companion who settles in quickly. As his vision changes, he’ll benefit from a family committed to keeping his environment consistent and helping him continue to build confidence. With a little patience and a lot of love, Dougie will reward his family with endless affection, laughter, and unwavering companionship.
Updates
I’ve had Darnel in my home for a few weeks, and I have to say, this boy has completely won me over. He is the best boy!
Darnel is SO sweet and affectionate. He loves being with his people and is happiest when he can be right next to you. He is also an absolute cuddle bug. If you sit down, there’s a pretty good chance Darnel will be right there beside you looking for some love. ❤️
He has also been great with the other dogs in my house. He’s respectful of my senior dog’s boundaries and gets along well with everyone. He really enjoys having other dogs around and seems to take confidence from them.
Darnel has great house manners and knows his basic commands. We’re still working on leash walking, but he’s doing well and continuing to improve.
One thing I really wanted to see for myself was how Darnel would do with people coming into the house. Before rescue, he had some difficulty when there were large gatherings, sometimes with 20+ people in the home. So far, I have been really impressed with him. He has met friends, family and neighbors here and has done great. He may bark when someone comes in, but he responds well when I redirect him. I think he really just needs someone who will give him some structure and help him understand that he’s safe and doesn’t need to worry about what’s happening around him.
Darnel is also losing his eyesight, which is something his future family will need to be prepared for. Right now, though, he is doing really well. He can still see quite a bit and gets around my house, including the stairs, without much trouble. Every once in a while he bumps into something or uses the wall to help guide himself, but he hasn’t let that slow him down. His vision will likely continue to decline, but I really believe he will adjust well as long as his family keeps a consistent routine.
