A blind and deaf dog with severely matted fur, who was dumped at the side of a canal in Ashton, has undergone an amazing transformation in RSPCA care and is loving life in his new home.

The shih tzu dog, named Morris by rescuers, was so matted when he was found he resembled a pile of rags. A walker came across the shocking
sight and on closer inspection realised the pile was actually a dog. He thought the poor pet was dead as he was in such a poor condition. But then he could see the neglected dog was breathing but he was too terrified to move. The walker carried him home to help him recuperate before taking him to a nearby vets, who reported the matter to the RSPCA.

He was found near the Ashton Canal, at Portland Basin, on Friday, March 25. Animal rescuer Inspector Ryan King rushed Morris to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for emergency veterinary treatment. Staff immediately got to work to shave off 1.3kg of matted fur which
was preventing him from moving. Once they could see his face they realised he was also blind in one eye and the other had so many cataracts he
needed an operation, but they were unable to save his sight.

Morris when he was found

Morris was then taken to the RSPCA Lancashire East branch where he began his rehabilitation with their dedicated team. Once he was back to full health, staff set about trying to find a special home for the friendly pooch which would cater for his blindness. A few months later he landed firmly
on his paws when pensioner Josephine Newhall, 82, of Wythenshawe, adopted him as she lives in a bungalow which is easier for Morris to navigate himself around.

The happy chap also has a girlfriend now - as Josephine’s daughter Karen Brookes, 52, has a female lhasa apso called Ruby, who Morris loves to be around when she visits. Josephine said: “We knew he was blind when we took him in, but I have the perfect home for him and he can get in and out of the garden very easily so it is no problem for him. “I have also found out he is deaf too - but he doesn’t let these disabilities hold him back at all. “He loves playing with his tennis ball and loves Ruby to visit, but she can be boisterous for him sometimes so he will let her know. They are really good friends and it has helped his confidence. Morris is a beautiful little dog and enjoys snuggling up to me on the settee - he is great company and when you think where he has come from it is a miracle he is still here.

“The RSPCA did a fantastic job in rescuing and rehabilitating him and I am glad he has the happy ending he deserves.” The RSPCA is highlighting the plight of Morris as part of the charity’s Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign, calling on the public to support more rescues like this and to raise awareness about how everyone can help stop cruelty to animals for good.

Sue Abraham, fostering coordinator at the Lancashire East branch, said Morris stayed in their care for five months to rehabilitate him and was
placed in a foster home where he could learn to adapt more to his blindness. She said: “His foster mum led Morris around the house on a lead until he got to know where everything was and even adapted her garden for him as he kept falling from a small wall.

“He was always so lovely in spite of all he had been through and all the staff here really loved him - especially when he used to play with his tennis ball in the reception area. It is great he has settled so well with Josephine and is still the cheeky chap we all came to love.” Ryan, who rescued Morris after he was found dumped, said he is delighted with his progress and could hardly believe it was the same dog when he saw him in his new home. He said: “When the man who found Morris first came across him he was laying next to a bench near the canal. 

As he wasn’t moving he thought the poor pet was already dead. On closer inspection he realised he was breathing but his fur was so heavy and matted he appeared unable to move and he was obviously terrified. “Vets at the animal hospital later found he was blind in one eye with glaucoma and had very little sight due to cataracts - so it is not surprising he would have been too terrified to move from where he was abandoned.

“Sadly the vets did all they could to save the eye with cataracts but it later had to be removed. I am delighted to see him settled in a new home loving life - it makes my job so worthwhile and this is why we need people to support our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to help rescue and rehome more dogs like Morris.”

The person responsible for abandoning Morris and leaving him suffering has never been found.