Eddie and Gizmo Prove Special Needs Dogs Deserve Love

At Evan's house, every dog has a story.

"I've kind of got a weakness for dogs that have maybe some disabilities and might not find a home otherwise," he says.

Over the years, that soft spot has shaped a household full of second chances. Luna arrived as a stray puppy and quickly moved in. Bert was recovering from serious injuries when Evan adopted him from a local shelter. Then came Gizmo and Eddie, two dogs adopted from the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center who each faced challenges of their own.

For Evan, those challenges were never a reason to look the other way. In fact, they're often part of what draws him to an animal in need. Whether it's a dog with a diagnosed medical condition or one who simply might be overlooked by other adopters, he believes every animal deserves the chance to experience life in a loving home.

That mindset led him to Gizmo and Eddie, two dogs whose personalities quickly proved they were far more than the challenges listed on their adoption profiles.

The Little Dog with a Big Personality

Evan and his wife had been thinking about adopting a small dog when they came across Gizmo on the ASPCA website. The scruffy pup seemed like exactly the kind of laid-back companion they were looking for, and it didn't take long for him to become part of the family.

Today, Gizmo is known as the easygoing member of the pack. Evan affectionately describes him as a "couch potato" who enjoys food, attention and a comfortable spot to relax. He and his wife even joke that Gizmo looks like a cross between a raccoon and a groundhog.  

Gizmo also lives with mitral valve disease, a heart condition that requires medication with every meal. Despite that diagnosis, he doesn't let anything slow him down.

"He lives a normal life and does what he wants, which generally isn't a whole lot," Evan says.

Whether he's lounging around the house or proudly trotting through the yard in one of his many sweaters, Gizmo is proof that a medical condition doesn't define who a dog is.

The Foster Dog Who Stayed

When Evan spotted Eddie’s adoption profile on the ASPCA website, he wasn't actively looking to adopt another dog. But something about the white dog with one eye caught his attention.

Before finding his way to Evan's home, Eddie arrived at the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center along with 34 other dogs involved in a suspected neglect case. Our medical staff quickly noticed signs of both visual and hearing impairments in Eddie — he didn’t make eye contact when approached in the kennel, he bumped into walls and doors and he vocalized more than expected even when people were nearby.

One of his eyes was determined to be malformed and nonvisual, and it was ultimately removed by surgeons to prevent future disease and discomfort. With his body healthy, staff focused on mental and behavioral rehabilitation tailored to his specific needs. 

At first, Eddie was unsure of his surroundings and still learning to feel safe. With the help of a consistent routine, confidence-building activities and even a few canine "helper dogs," he slowly came out of his shell. Staff watched him grow more comfortable exploring new environments, greeting familiar people with a full-body wiggle and using his nose to investigate the world around him.

“Watching Eddie blossom was truly special,” says Rachel H., senior manager at the Cruelty Recovery Center. “As he settled in, his personality began to shine! Our team encouraged his natural behavior by giving him plenty of time to sniff and even incorporating games where he would search for hidden treats throughout the shelter. Seeing Eddie grow, explore and find joy in these moments was incredibly rewarding for everyone involved in his care.”

By the time Eddie was ready for adoption, he had grown significantly more comfortable and confident, making him ready to begin the next chapter of his journey.

Already drawn to animals who might be overlooked, Evan noticed Eddie right away. Bert, one of Evan’s other dogs, is also missing an eye, which felt like common ground. “I figured we could even out the number of eyes in the dogs here with two one-eyed dogs,” Evan jokes.

Although he wasn’t necessarily looking to adopt, Evan knew he could give Eddie a safe and loving place to experience life as a pet, so he decided to bring Eddie home as a foster.

"After a week or so, I knew he wasn't going to leave the house again," Evan recalls.

Since Eddie is deaf and mostly blind, helping him settle into his new life required patience and creativity. Evan learned to communicate through touch and simple gestures. A gentle tickle on Eddie's paws wakes him without startling him, while a touch on the back of his head lets him know it's time to head to his crate.

Eddie also needed time figuring out how to interact with his new canine family members.

“Eddie's kind of an awkward guy and doesn't really know how to play with the other dogs so much. He doesn't have very good coordination or kind of spatial awareness,” says Evan.

Over time, though, he gained confidence. Now he happily follows Evan around the house, relaxes with the rest of the pack and eagerly keeps track of the family's daily routine, especially when mealtime is approaching.

“Eddie knows exactly what time it is. If it’s 3:55 p.m. and he gets fed at 4 p.m., he’s right next to me making sure I know it’s almost time for dinner,” Evan tells us.

Though he still has a few quirky habits, Eddie has blossomed in the stability and comfort of a loving home.

More Than Their Challenges

For Evan, Gizmo and Eddie are daily reminders that animals with medical conditions, disabilities or other special needs want the same love and care as any other pet.

He hopes more people will consider adopting pets who may need a little extra care.

"It's not really that different than any other dog," he says. "Maybe a tiny bit of extra work, but it's so much more rewarding to be able to give them a better life and give them that home that they need."

And Evan’s not done opening his heart.

“One thing my wife and I dream of doing is having a house with more land and more space to foster more dogs that have challenges. Just to give them the space and stability of a home life they might not otherwise get.”

Thanks to adopters like Evan who are willing to give overlooked pets a chance, dogs like Gizmo and Eddie get to enjoy the things every dog deserves: a comfortable place to nap, a predictable routine, plenty of treats and a family to call their own.

When Evan adopted Eddie and Gizmo, he freed up space and resources at the shelter, giving even more animals a chance at rescue and rehabilitation. When we help one, we help many — that’s The Rescue Effect. Join The Rescue Effect by adopting today.