Ruby

"IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW -

 YOU WOULD NOT KNOW."E. Lang

  (Both These Dogs Are Blind)

 

Daisy

  

 

Think of health issues relating to Golden Retrievers - cancer and hip dysplasia top the list. We think of blindness as being more breed-specific to Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, or as an issue for elderly dogs. The truth is that vision loss can happen to any dog. Two families in our Rescue, the Langs and the Tikalskys, have blind Retrievers. Ruby and Daisy are two of GRRSN's Golden alumni who are blind.   They have very different stories, but very similar happy endings. Both dogs are cherished members of loving families.

The Tikalsky Family

 The Tikalsky family adopted Daisy   knowing she was blind. They already had one young female Retriever, Jelly Bean. They were considering adopting a senior Golden when Daisy appeared on the "Waiting for a Home" page on the website. "We hadn't considered a special needs dog," says Amber Tikalsky, "but after talking to GRRSN President, Deb Pietro, I learned that as a stay-at-home mom, we really had the lifestyle that Daisy needed." Amber, who you may know as one of our Adoptathon Team Captains, had other things to consider, too. The Tikalskys had a family discussion about bringing a sight-impaired dog into their home. "Our boys were younger, and we had to prepare them for Daisy's unique situation. We were also concerned for Jelly Bean as well."  

The Lang Family

The Lang's experience was different. When they adopted nine-year-old Ruby in August of 2012 their only minor concern was her age. "..And that proved irrelevant," muses Elaine Lang. "She worked her way into our hearts the very first day." Ruby, who is an active dog and was listed on the website as "a swimmer" was diagnosed with pigmentary uveitis - a progressive chronic inflammatory disease, just a few weeks after the Langs adopted her. Surgery, unfortunately, did not save Ruby's right eye. A lens implanted in her left eye gave her very minimal sight capability, but she may have lost even that. "It's hard to tell", says Elaine "because she has adjusted so well. Our Vet said she would and that dogs are remarkable in that way. Those comforting words have proven to be so true."

Indeed, according to WebMD's Veterinary Reference, a diagnosis of blindness or irreversible vision loss is not a catastrophe. The fact is that most dogs, even those with normal eyesight, do not really see very well. They rely to a greater extent on their keen senses of hearing and smell. These senses take over and actually become more acute as eyesight fails.

Both families are now careful about rearranging furniture or adding something new to the house.   Elaine explains, "If something is different, we walk Ruby around it a few times - tapping on my thigh or just talking as we go and she learns. She is a quick study!"  The Tikalskys did some rearranging before Daisy came to live with them to give her clear paths to venture through the house. They also made a little safety spot for Daisy in the laundry room where she could get away from it all until she was adjusted. "Now I just have to be on the boys to keep their toys picked up because a tidier house poses fewer obstacles for Daisy," says Amber.

Ruby In Her Natural Element

So what are some of the specific considerations with a blind dog? For the Langs, there was the initial expense of the surgery and the many vet visits. "But those are becoming farther apart now," explains Elaine. "Ruby has several medications, but thanks to the diligent efforts of the medical staff, we are able to get most of them at a significant savings from Costco." What about Ruby's love of water? "She still goes in the pool almost every day!" says a clearly delighted Elaine. "Sometimes she pushes a toy out and swims after it. Ruby seems to use smell and sound to find and retrieve it." The other thing the Langs have to give thought to is travel plans. "Having a good pet sitter is very important and we are lucky because the Watsons, who are also in GRRSN, have provided a wonderful vacation spot for Ruby."

Daisy, whose diagnosis was Sudden Retinal Degeneration Syndrome, requires no special medication. One of Daisy's challenges is maintaining a healthy weight. "Because she cannot see, Daisy tends to be very idle when she is at home." Amber continues, "Fortunately she loves going for walks with Jelly Bean and running in the field by our home. As her Mom, I have to keep her motivated and eating right; kind of like having a teenager!"

The relationship between Daisy and her Retriever

Devoted Sisters, Jelly Bean & Daisy.

sister, Jelly Bean, is a close  one. "It's wonderfully clear that they are true sisters now." Amber laughs, "Daisy is the type of sibling that will boss Jelly Bean around, but if anyone else tries to they are going to hear from Daisy!" Like most Golden Retrievers, Daisy truly adores her 'human" siblings too. "She loves all the pets and hugs, and the boys try to be careful and announce themselves first," says the proud Mom of the pack.

What advice would these GRRSN families give to others who might find their dog facing a similar situation? Elaine goes first: "We were so sad when Ruby was diagnosed and concerned about our abilities to care for a blind dog. Ruby has made it so easy. She has adjusted, just as her vet said she would, and requires very little extra attention. If we start to smother her, she brushes us off and goes on her way. We would love for Ruby to be able to see, but would not give her up for anything!"   Amber Tikalsky concurs: "The best advice we can add is to be patient and considerate of your dog's unique situation. As Daisy's family we are not only her voice, but her eyes as well." 

         SERENDIPITY?  

Please help Daisy find a loving home

Perhaps this is more than a coincidence...while working on this article, another sight- impaired Golden has come into our Rescue AND...her name is also DAISY! If you feel you might offer this sweet 5-year-old girl a loving home, but have some questions, the GRRSN team is here to help. Please email Tammie, our Adoption Coordinator, at  grrsnadoptions@aol.com  She'll be glad to give you more information about this truly special Golden girl!

PACK LIFE   
            

 DOGS, DINNER & THE BARTER SYSTEM

Our big, beautiful, red retriever, Millie, has just turned twelve. I have described her before as a timid, gentle soul and a true Buddha of a dog. A Celtic friend of ours describes Millie as 'Fey'- a creature who talks to pixies, fairies and sprites, living her life on a slightly different plane than the rest of us. Look up 'fey' in the dictionary and it says "otherworldly." Yep, on the whole, that describes our Millie-dog. We have had the privilege of having Millie in our Pack for several years now. She has become less fearful and more loving, but she still leads a very esoteric existence.   Her unusual demeanor lends an air of mystery and we love that about her. Esoteric she may be, but lately Millie has started the practice of what can only be called "Retriever Capitalism." She only employs this market model, however, at dinner time.

Most dogs start nudging at your arm around meal time. They may dance around a bit or employ the great Retriever trick of placing their lovely, big head in your lap and gazing at you with soulful eyes, implore you to feed them. Millie has a whole different strategy.....Cold, Calculated Barter.