Merlin the Shih Tzu: No Owner In Sight But He Is Not Giving Up

Merlin the blind shih tzu used to have a home in a Greenbelt cottage until his owner got sick, according to Kim DeAngelis, manager of the .

Now Merlin is at the shelter waiting for someone to believe in him.

He may not be able to see, but the 7 year old is healthy and smart, according to DeAngelis. The cottage he lived in didn't have steps, and the animal shelter does. Still, Merlin got right to it, and has learned how to navigate the strange new structures.

The clever fellow figured out how to step in sync with voice commands, according to DeAngelis, who says he compensates for his sight by using other senses.

He's not only smart, "He's a sweet little guy," DeAngelis says—and he loves to be petted and go on walks.

Before coming to the shelter, Merlin was the only dog of his house. Now he's surrounded by dogs that are so big that the shelter separates him from them, according to DeAngelis. So she doesn't know how he'd behave with other animals. He does play well with Animal Control Officer Lauren Derise's beagle, though, she said.

Merlin's blindness does present the clever shih tzu with a challenge, but maybe that makes him a lot like the rest of us—just a stranger on the bus trying to make his way home.

Any fellow strangers out there ready to give him a chance?

The Greenbelt Animal Shelter's hours are Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon and by appointment. For more information call (301) 474-6124 or (240) 508-7533.