Copyright Newsweek
A senior dog who arrived at the shelter in heartbreaking circumstances is in danger of missing out on a second chance at a happy life through no fault of her own. Ashley Bloom, director of shelter services at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, contacted Newsweek directly to highlight the plight of Chyna, a 7-year-old dog in their care whom she feels has been consistently "overlooked" by visitors. Chyna arrived at the shelter, located in the Hampton Bays area of New York State, a few months ago but has yet to drum up much in the way of adoption interest. It is a heartbreaking situation for the senior pup, who arrived in their care after suffering the worst loss any domesticated dog can face. "Chyna is an adorable senior bulldog mix who came into our care after the death of her owner," Bloom told Newsweek. "Before she came to us, Chyna’s life wasn’t easy. She was attacked by another dog and lost an eye, and, sadly, the injury went untreated. It’s fully healed now and doesn’t cause her any pain." Chyna’s scars go beyond that, though. "Chyna was also used for breeding for many years, and her body shows the signs of that life," Bloom said. "All these marks tell the story of everything she’s survived." There is no getting away from the fact that the shelter is an environment that induces stress among canine residents. The combination of confinement, noise and unfamiliar environment can make it a difficult place for dogs to live in. Take dogs out of shelter life, and the change is notable. A 2019 study published in PeerJ Life & Environment highlighted the difference. The study saw researchers measure a canine’s cortisol levels while in the shelter and then during a short-term sleepover outside of it. Cortisol is an established biological indicator of stress, and the researchers found that it dropped when these dogs were out of the shelter. Given everything Chyna had been through, she would be forgiven for struggling in the shelter, but it has been quite the opposite. Bloom said: "Although Chyna has faced more than her share of hardships, you’d never know it from her smile. She greets every person like an old friend." Despite adapting well to the challenges created by the loss of her eye, the sad reality is that the injury is something that has played a role in Chyna struggling to catch the attention of visitors looking to adopt. "Chyna doesn’t let her missing eye slow her down one bit, and it doesn’t affect her life at all, but, sadly, it has affected her chances at finding a home," Bloom said. "Some people see her injury as unsightly and overlook her, which has been heartbreaking for us, because we see nothing but beauty in her." Though Chyna is a polite and calm canine presence, staff at Southampton Animal Shelter believe she would thrive best as the only dog in any prospective new home. "She’s looking for a peaceful, loving home where she can finally relax and soak up the comfort she deserves," Bloom said. "If you have a cozy couch and an open heart, Chyna is ready to fill your home with love."
