When Carter Blanchard was in kindergarten his eyes were surrounded with white patches. They brought him to their doctor and he referred them to a dermatologist. The dermatologist told them that Carter has vitiligo and there’s nothing to be done about it. It’s not a dangerous ailment but it’s not pleasant as a person gets these white patches of skin.
Carter’s parents looked for ways to support him and make him feel good. They brainstormed and came up with an interesting solution. Dogs get vitiligo too! They surfed the web and found a couple that owned a dog named Rowdy that had vitiligo who had big white circles around his eyes though the rest of him was mainly black.
Carter would watch Rowdy on Skype for a year until one day Carter’s parents and Rowdy’s owners made up that Carter and Rudi should meet. “This was the best possible gift for him” Stephanie, Carter’s mother said. “No one could make Carter feel good about himself as well as Rowdy. Only Rowdy, only a dog could help him so much.”
Carter and Rowdy frolicked around and took a lot of pictures together. Carter thinks Rowdy is perfect except that “maybe he can get more spots on his back”. Carter also said that petting Rowdy is the greatest fun of all.
Nikki Umbenhauer, Rudi’s owner says, “I get the chills when I remember the moment Carter came here and saw Rudi. I always get emotional when I think about it. It was awesome!”