RUMFORD – Not much bigger than most cats, Jo-Jo, an 8-year-old Shih-Tzu has found a slew of friends to help him through a difficult time in his life.

He is being cared for by Marsha McKenna, owner of McKennel’s Animal Adoption Agency and animal control officer for the town.

About five weeks ago, Jo-Jo was taken from his previous owners because of extreme neglect, McKenna said. He was full of fleas and worms, and worst of all, he had a condition that had caused such dryness in his eyes that they seemed to be as rough as leather, she said. His long hair was stuck in them, too, which worsened the condition.

Because Jo-Jo was not treated when the initial dry eye condition began, the eyes were damaged and must be treated for life.

After being examined by Dr. Frederick Kent of Countryside Animal Hospital in Rumford, Dr. Peter Everett, a longtime Rumford optometrist and animal lover, learned of Jo-Jo’s condition. He decided to help.

“We’re all animal lovers here, and he’s an awful nice little dog,” Everett said Tuesday.

His office, after checking Jo-Jo out, decided to donate the medication needed to treat his eye condition for as long as he remains at McKennel’s. Other donations have been gathered as well to help with medical treatment, including neutering.

Everett isn’t sure what causes dry eye in dogs, but he said it is sort of like arthritis of the eye in people.

McKenna said it is crucial that whoever adopts Jo-Jo keeps the hair on his face trimmed so that it won’t get stuck in his eyes.

“At first, I thought we’ve got to put him to sleep,” she said of how he looked when she first took him from his Rumford home.

No charges were brought against his former owner because they were willing to sign him over to the town.

But slowly, each problem has been solved, and now he is ready for a new home.

He’s house broken, and good with cats, dogs and children, McKenna said.

She will be screening potential new owners because of the commitment anyone who adopts him must make to place drops in his eyes several times a day as well as keeping his facial hair trimmed.

“He will bring a lot of joy to someone,” McKenna said.