Skater, body boarder and water-lover Makapo doesn’t have any eyes, but that doesn’t slow him down one bit.
The 12-year-old Shih Tzu-mix was a mess when he landed at Kauai Humane Society in early July, a flea-bitten tangle of fur found on the side of the road.
He spent two months at KHS before Jordyn Nuivo and Michelle Hunter of Lawai spotted him, but those two months were full of recovery for the little dog.
“Someone found him on the side of the road and his hair was all mangy, full of fleas caught all in his dreadlocks,” Nuivo said. “They tried to clear his eyes when they received him at KHS and the flesh was coming off.”
So, to avoid infection and improve Makapo’s life, both of his eyes were surgically removed. He received multiple baths, haircuts and the full gamut of vaccinations.
“Reading through his chart, I’m surprised they kept him,” Nuivo said. “Wow, they put a lot of work into keeping him alive.”
When Nuivo and Hunter saw him at KHS, they fell in love instantly, even though he is a breed neither of them have had in the past.
“We just had a ball with him. He’s so cute, we were bursting out laughing,” Nuivo said. “He has no eyes, but he knows when he’s getting attention and he eats it up.”
Both women are from Kauai and moved to Hawaii Island for a short time before returning this fall.
With the passing of a beloved family dog, they decided it was time for another. They were originally looking for a bigger dog like the hound/Lab mix they’d had previously.
“My spouse and I, we said we’d never adopt a small dog like this, but when we saw him we were like, ‘It doesn’t matter, we want you,’” Nuivo said.
When they took him home, they found out he loves car rides, he’s housetrained, and he has a big personality. His name, Makapo, means “blind” in Hawaiian.
“He’s sassy,” Nuivo said.
That’s been compounded by a pair of dog goggles the couple got Makapo and the Instagram account they curate online. That shows photos of him body boarding, videos of him tearing up the street on a skateboard, and plenty of sunglasses shots with his big grin.
“He knows we’re taking photos and dressing him up,” Nuivo said.
Nuivo said she usually feels sorry for the dogs at shelters, knowing they don’t get as much attention there as they would in a home, but that wasn’t the case with Makapo.
“He was their pet there, they’d take him out and play with him,” Nuivo said. “Some of the aides, they follow him (on Instagram).”
Staff at KHS originally named the dog Matt, and said they fell in love with him instantly.
“Tears were shed on the day of Makapo’s adoption,” KHS officials said in a statement about the dog. “We are honored to have met someone who has such a heart as Makapo’s family’s.”
Nuivo and Hunter took Makapo home Sept. 1 and he’s been adjusting to a new life, both in a new home and to life without his sight.
“He’s a spoiled brat already, but you can’t get mad at this dog,” Nuivo said. “Everyone should meet him in person. He’s got such a good vibe.”
I’ve adopted two senior blind dogs. Honestly, at this point, I can’t image what it would be like to have a dog that can see. Blind dogs don’t run away (at least the smart ones LOL). And they will love you like you’ve never been loved before.
Bless you ladies for giving this furry cutie his forever home. Wishing you years of happiness together.