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Shelter Dog 'Pelted By Rocks' Loses An Eye—Still Hopeful For Forever Family

A shelter dog named Clementine who was subjected to cruelty so severe she lost an eye, has embarked on an incredible journey she hopes will end with her finally finding a forever home.

Clementine was one of approximately 200 dogs and 100 cats flown to the United States from Afghanistan by Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR) in early May of this year. By then, this brave shepherd mix had already endured the most horrific of starts to life.

"Clementine came to us in the fall of 2021 with an eyeball ruptured from being pelted by rocks," KSAR told Newsweek. "After emergency enucleation surgery, then done by flashlight, the minimal equipment left after our clinic was looted in August of 2021, she healed quickly and her sweet side shone through."

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Clementine lost one eye and part of an ear. She escaped a life of cruelty on the streets of Afghanistan. Clementine lost one eye and part of an ear. She escaped a life of cruelty on the streets of Afghanistan. Adoptapet/Passion For Pets Rescue

Upon arrival to the U.S., Clementine was one of 13 of the dogs who ended up at Passion for Pets Rescue in Maine. Now just three, including Clementine, have yet to be adopted.

Missing half an ear for reasons unknown, Clementine's harrowing experience has made her shy around new people. It takes time for her to warm up to visitors and trust needs to be built.

Sadly, shelter dogs like this can often struggle to catch the attention of a would-be adopter. Part of that is down to the small window of time they have in which to make a big impression.

A 2014 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science, examining interactions between shelter pets and visitors, found that prospective pet owners tended to interact with just one dog per trip.

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These interactions would also last an average of just eight minutes. Clementine is one of the lucky ones though. She's currently staying with a foster carer, Paul Lemont. Foster carers like Lemont provide shelter dogs with the kind of care and focus they need to come out of their shell.

In return, he's been privileged to see Clementine come out of her shell as a sweet and happy dog.

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"Clementine likes to ride in the car and go for walks," Lemont told Newsweek. "She also enjoys just hanging out on our back deck chasing squirrels and birds and laying in the sun."

It's clear her experiences in Afghanistan have stayed with her in some respects, Lemont said Clementine will often "bark at passing dogs" and, having lived on the streets surviving off scraps, is a "high food resource guarder" meaning she needs to eat alone away from other animals.

More than anything though, Clementine craves the affection that was so lacking from those difficult first few years. "Clementine is a love bug and she loves head scratches," Lemont said. "When you stop scratching, she raises her paw for more just like in the video. It's such a cute response!"

That particular behavior was highlighted in a video posted to TikTok by Adoptapet last week, as part of a clip showcasing Clementine's story and availability. It's been watched over 140,000 times and the hope is that someone from Maine or the surrounding area takes note and decides to contact her shelter.

Clementine is a complex dog with a specific set of needs. "She would do best in a home with no other pets," Lemont said. " We have two elderly cats and she gets along fine with them outdoors but will occasionally growl at them when they enter her space so we don't completely trust her with them indoors."

He added: "We have not tried to introduce her with other dogs at this point in time. She got along with one of the dogs at the previous foster but not with another, therefore, at best, dog selective."

House trained, capable of being left home alone uncrated and good at walking on a lead, Clementine loves people. Now she just needs that special someone somewhere to love her back.

Toddler Learning To Care For Family's Cocker Spaniel Melts Hearts

A toddler learning to care for her family's cocker spaniel, Alba, has melted hearts all over the internet.

Madrid-based Denisse Coquet, who runs the Instagram account @alba.Thecocker, shared the journey of teaching her daughter, Nina how to feed their dog on the social media platform.

"Alba is our first baby, so from the very beginning, we worked hard to ensure Alba and Nina bonded and had a healthy relationship," the 33-year-old told Newsweek, adding that they couldn't imagine a scenario where the two didn't get along.

Mom and owner, Denisse Coquet, told Newsweek that now Nina (pictured) is entering her toddler phase, she's completely obsessed with their dog, Alba. Mom and owner, Denisse Coquet, told Newsweek that now Nina (pictured) is entering her toddler phase, she's completely obsessed with their dog, Alba. @alba.Thecocker

In the viral clip, Nina, still mastering her coordination, can be seen ambling over to Alba's bowl carrying a cup of kibble.

Although she initially struggles—spilling food all over the floor and missing the bowl entirely—Nina improves with each attempt and has now been promoted to Alba's nightly feeder.

Coquet told Newsweek that caring for Alba was a gradual process for Nina, beginning with simple interactions such as petting and playing. As Nina grew, Coquet and her family introduced her to more active forms of care, starting with the simple task of giving Alba her food.

"We started by showing her how we did it—getting Alba's food, taking it to her bowl, and pouring it, all with Nina by our side. At first, we gave her the cup near the bowl, and she would pour it all over the floor.

"The first ten or so attempts mostly resulted in food on the floor, but gradually, she started getting some of it in the bowl. She paused to think more, looked at the cup and bowl, and did it more carefully to try to get it right. That's when we realized she was learning," she said.

Coquet's Instagram reel has clocked up one million views and counting, along with hundreds of users who admired Nina's nightly routine of feeding Alba.

"The pause, very demure, very mindful," one user commented, while another wrote, "This is our son's daily job too!"

Nina is Alba's biggest fan, wanting to play, share toys and even attempting to pick up the cocker spaniel ("Alba weighs several kilos more than Nina," Coquet said).

Their bond is a special one and Nina's nightly routine is the true meaning of practice makes perfect.

"In our family, taking care of one another is a form of love and how we show we care. It's so sweet to see how their relationship changes as Nina grows, and each stage has its special moments," Coquet said.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your toddler that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.Com and they could appear on our site.

Family Raising Funds For Service Dog

The Clifton family, J.T., James, Sydney and Jolene, pose together in the backyard of their home in Kings Mountain Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

As parents of a son diagnosed with autism, Sydney and J.T. Clifton have to be vigilant at every moment.

James, who is almost 6 years old, is nonverbal but also experiences what is known as "eloping."

Sydney said at any moment, he will open doors and wander or run away. Even a drive in the car can mean an escape attempt.

The family is now raising funds to cover the cost of a service dog that would be tethered to James and keep him safe. It will also be trained in search and rescue. The Cliftons' insurance will cover a portion of the cost, but they are still responsible for $23,000.

She said it will make a positive impact on their lives.

It will allow them to go to the grocery store, go for a walk, visit with family and friends, and have new safety and peace of mind.

"I can't tell you the last time we went for for walk because he will just run away," she said.

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser with a raffle, bake sale and silent auction is being from noon to 6 p.M. On Saturday, Sept. 28, at Bess Chapel Methodist Church, 6073 Flay Road, Cherryville. There will be a $10 minimum donation.

Oso Taco's is catering the event and serving Mexican spaghetti.

Prizes for the raffle and silent auction include salon gift cards, hair care baskets, Pleasant City gift card, a handcrafted table, a one-hour massage, a K Donuts gift card and more.

To reserve a spot, include a name and phone number with a donation.

For more information on their story or the fundraiser, find James Clifton on the 4 Paws for Ability website, or call 586-453-8730.

Sydney said people can also donate directly to 4 Paws for Ability online, but must include James Clifton in the memo so it goes directly to them.

The dog will be trained and placed with James through 4 Paws for Ability. On their fundraising page, Sydney wrote about the challenges they face with James' diagnosis and how the dog will alter their lives.

She wrote that the service animal will be able to track their son if he goes missing, it will act as an anchor for James, providing a sense of security and keeping him from wandering, it will assist with behavior disruptions by laying across the child to provide pressure and help calm him down.

"We would love to be able to attend family gatherings, without one of us having to follow James, and watch his every move, and actually visit and be present," Sydney wrote. "We would love to go to the grocery store without the heightened concern of James eloping. The amount of relief we could have from knowing James is comforted by his dog, and assisting with the sensory input/deep pressure would be monumental for James, and our day to day life. The impact, and sense of normalcy, would be breathtaking."

She said once the funds are raised, they are placed on a two and a half year wait list before they receive their service dog. She said they have opted for a hypoallergenic dog, probably a golden doodle of some sort.

Sydney said James recently came home from school with a golf ball sized bump on his forehead, and the school didn't know how it happened. She believes having the dog with him will help prevent incidents from happening.

"He is such a happy smart kid," she said. "He loves animals so much."

She said it will offer him comfort when he is struggling with a meltdown and offer a sense of responsibility.

"It will be really good for him," she said.

The Cliftons, who are originally from Michigan, are residents of Kings Mountain and are small business owners. The couple own and operate TruNorth Construction and Restoration. They also have a six month old daughter, Jolene.

Sydney said they can't wait for the day when the dog is placed with them. And they will keep people updated with photos and information.

"We will share with everyone," she said. "I literally can't wait."

Reach reporter Rebecca Sitzes at rsitzes@gannett.Com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: How a service dog could change life for this family

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