Senior One-Eyed Rescue Dog Transformed By New Family's Love After Adoption

A senior rescue dog who was surrendered due to his complex medical needs has been transformed after getting a second chance at life with a new owner.

Eddie initially struggled to get adopted after being surrendered to the Rankin County Animal Shelter in Brandon, Mississippi.

Though his previous owner loved him dearly, they were struggling to cope with the multitude of medical issues Eddie was facing, including a bacterial infection that had led to the complete loss of one eye.

Despite his warm and friendly demeanor, those same health issues hindered Eddie's hopes of being adopted from a traditional shelter setting. He's not alone in that respect, with senior dogs often struggling to find a place to call home.

A 2015 study by Priceonomics using data compiled from the website Petfinder found that while 95 percent of puppies on the site found new homes, only 68 percent of senior dogs were adopted.

Eddie could so easily have fallen through the cracks in the system, but Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization focused on promoting the use of no-kill shelters, knew exactly what to do.

They had Eddie transferred to Tired Dog Rescue, a specialist small breed rescue based in Saucier, Mississippi, that utilizes foster homes to house dogs, rather than the traditional shelter-style environment.

This gave Eddie the opportunity to receive the medical treatment he needed while in the care of a loving foster family. In no time at all, Eddie went from overlooked shelter dog to newly adopted rescue.

He's now happily ensconced in the lives of a new forever family who adore him, imperfections and all. His new family told the Best Friends Animal Society that "Edward loves toys, eating cookies, and running around their yard. He received his first haircut this week and is one handsome boy indeed."

Audrey Lodato, regional director, East Coast, Best Friends Animal Society told Newsweek: "Partnerships like those between Rankin County Animal Shelter, Tired Dog Rescue, and the community members who adopted Eddie exemplify the importance of working together to save lives. The path to no-kill in Mississippi is through collaboration."

Eddie's story serves as an example of what no-kill shelters can achieve. Had he ended up at another shelter that did not have the links to find a place that suited a canine of his age and health, then the Best Friends Animal Society believe he could easily have been euthanized.

Best Friends Animal Society is dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters by the year 2025. Eddie's story offers hope that they can reach that target.