Cheer Huck back to me . . .
Meet him with my hand. . . Celebrate with a tug . . . Let's do it again!
"Yes, yes, yes . . ."
An August update for Huck is sad, but still heartening: Somehow, Huck's right eye became infected, which then sadly led to its removal. I've seen Huck often since the operation and he might have slowed down a bit (I think surgery does that to us all), but his spirit is right up there. His enthusiasm for play and the good life remains!
What a trooper! You go, Huck!
INTRODUCTION: The loss of sight for a pet is always disconcerting. The dog seems confused as the foggy sight takes over (often in the case of cataracts) or as s/he gradually looses details. It's equally confusing for pet parents. "What can I do?" echoes one's frustration/helplessness. Of course, keeping your dog safe is of prime importance; block off any potentially harmful portals, like steps or swimming pools, and placing cushions around sharp corners. Initially, limit the dog's space where s/he wanders on her/his own. You will be surprised how quickly the dog adapts. It might be easier for the dog than the pet-parent. Then, you can expand the world gradually, giving him/her lots of love and guidance.
Do not be discouraged. Here are two encouraging stories of dogs who faced their fate with spirit.
Caring for a dog that has less than perfect vision can give us insight into our own spirits and ways of seeing. Dogs seem to see the best side of any situation if we give them a steady hand, voice, and heart.
You go, Huck!
"There it is!"
"No, no no . . ."
Rosie
When I started PETZRGR8 pet sitting service several years ago, one of my first
charges was a darling little Yorkie ~ Rosie. She was a feisty dog who took over
the dog park and didn't let anyone push her around. As she aged, Cushing's
disease (problems with the Pituitary gland) and diabetes took their tolls and by the
time she was 13, Rosie was blind. One would think she would just sit down and
quit, but not Rosie. Her spunky spirit remained as she learned the layout of her
home and was soon able to find her way around without bumping into too many
things. Even when she 'bumped," she just shook it off and adjusted her direction.
When I was with Rosie, I watched her carefully and yelled "STOP" before she ran
into a chair. or table. It was amazing to watch how quickly she stopped in her tracks, then edged slowly forward to find the impending barrier, turned and edged her way around it. She always was quite proficient at finding her way to the kitchen for a snack or dinner (lol). When we went for a walk (on lead, of course), Rosie stuck close by and trusted me implicitly, as we traveled down her favorite trail above her home (the wonderful Piermont Path). Rosie knew I would help her avoid any obstacles and she enjoyed her walks and sniffs. Her pace was not hesitant or guarded; she merrily trotted onward with the same feisty spirit we had all learned to love.
Although Rosie finally succumbed to the diseases and her age, she maintained a delightful spirit.
She still loved to cuddle and be cuddled.
She still generated unconditional love to those around her.
A steady hand, voice, and heart helped.
Huck
This spring, PETZRGR8 was delighted to add to its rolls a young Boston Terrier for Tea Time (afternoon visits). Huck, like Rosie, does not have perfect eye sight; he has been bombarded by cataracts and glaucoma. His big blue eyes tell us some of the story, but the more interesting story comes from his unending elan - his lively spirit and spunk to play, play, and play more!
Huck loves his Kong and little Kong squeaky balls. He can chase it for hours (trust me, we've played chase/find for hours!) Although he cannot see the bright red or yellow or orange or green or blue treasure, his heightened sense of smell, a steady hand, voice, and happy heart helps. When we have Tea Time in the afternoon (I try to avoid bright sunlight), Huck is ready to rock and roll. Just let the Kong bounce across the lawn or down the hallway and he will chase it, following the sound and smell of his favorite toy. When I started playing with him, I added a low voice saying "No, no no" when he was headed in the wrong direction, and "Yes, yes, yes" in a higher voice when he was on the right track. A joyful "There it is!", when he was within inches, set him firm in his tracks to spin around, back and forth, and find the prize.
As Huck ran pell- mell back to me, I cheered him on, put out my hand to greet the Kong in his mouth, and shake it about in a celebratory dance. The couple times I did not guide him with my encouragement, he often missed me by several feet, leading me to believe my voice and outstretched arm to greet him were important.
Soon Huck trusted my guidance and he could find the Kong right away then speed back to me, asking for more. I'm guessing his Moms have played this game with him often. His back yard is small enough to keep the perimeters within reason; however, the fact that he quickly adapted to my guidance to be so successful so quickly pays tribute to his spirit and enthusiasm, not to mention his incredible senses. It is so fun to play with Huck! The pictures tell the story!
(We already knew a dog's their sense of smell is 40x greater than ours. Check out Nova's website to read the amazing facts about your dog's olfactory abilities:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/dogs-sense-of-smell.html)
Many sites online provide other helpful hints on caring for your blind dog.
Huck's medicine seems to be working; his blue lenses seem to be diminishing (that may be wishful thinking on my part), but his spirit has not diminished one iota!