Despite the high reading of pressure in Rita’s eyes a couple of weeks ago, she seems to be doing great. For the most part, anyone who came into our home, would probably not even notice that she’s blind. If we took her to a strange place, she would definitely appear to be blind.
Rita
Before she went blind, she loved staying up on the back of the sofa. She could see out both the front and back doors. I feel it’s too risky for her to jump up there and then I’m afraid when she’s ready to get down, she’s going to forget which way is the floor and which way is the seat to the sofa. She would probably hurt herself if she thought she was jumping onto the sofa seat and jumped onto the hardwood floor. For a few weeks, she didn’t even try to get up on the back of the sofa and I was happy but now, she’s doing it again. She’s very cautious as she jumps and usually at least once, she doesn’t jump enough to get up there. I guess she’s judging and calculating so she doesn’t jump too much and go over. I still wish she wouldn’t do it but . . short of moving the sofa so it backs up against a wall, there’s not much I can do and, with the size of this house, moving the sofa isn’t going to happen because there’s no place to put it and we’ve been told not to move things around and confuse her.
She’s so funny. When Vince is doing something at the table, she’s constantly listening. She raises her head like she’s trying to see but really, I think she’s just getting into a better listening position.
Rita
It was really hard for me to understand how well she would function when we were first told that she was blind but she has done an amazing job of adapting.
It has changed some things for us. Old Speck is so grumpy and so hard to deal with, we haven’t boarded him in years and we wouldn’t. We had talked about being able to go on a nice vacation once Speck is gone. We would have boarded Rita because she’s so happy and does well with strangers. Now, we would never board her. I can’t imagine being left with strangers and unfamiliar surroundings for days and nights, and hearing other dogs and cats, and strange smells. We just wouldn’t do that to her. There is a lady who would come here and walk her and feed her and take care of the chickens but I wouldn’t even do that. We’re not complaining . . we love her and are happy to do whatever we can to give her a good life but it’s funny how we change our plans and our lives to accommodate one little stray chihuahua who stole our hearts almost three years ago.
Dar in Mo says
Yes, the things we do for our furbabies is amazing, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I do miss my 2 girls, but with other changes in our lives, it is best that we don’t have any more pets to worry about. I do really miss having a pet though.
Pat says
Glad Rita is doing so well. We have a little furbaby next door to us that has gone blind and still can go out the doggie door and down steps to go potty. Wonder if us humans could do as well.
Linda Smith says
Judy, I’ve been out of pocket for awhile, so today is the first day I read about Rita’s glaucoma. I have had several blind dogs, but only one with glaucoma. Angie was a found dog, just like Rita. She was young, and one day she suddenly bumped into the coffee table. She had been a very active dog, and it was evident she could see by past experiences, until that day. I took her to our vet here in Houston, and he immediately said she had juvenile glaucoma and sent her to an eye specialist. The eye specialist removed on of her eyes because of the pain. Something went wrong and they had difficulty stopping the bleeding. They finally were able to stop it and save her life. When the pressure began to increase in the other eye, the specialist injected it with botox instead of removal. I don’t know if that is an option for you, but if it is, I would certainly recommend botox over surgical removal because of our experience. Of course, not all dogs are the same. Angie never really learned to get around without bumping into things, so we had to be very careful with her. She always had a very timid and sweet spirit, and just didn’t seem to adapt.
Now here is the good news. I have had many blind dogs as they aged. All of my other dogs got along just find. We even traveled with them, but we were always cautious to carry them or put them on a short leash and keep them close. Since Rita is small, she will be an easy traveler. She is a spirited little one, and I think she will adapt once she gets past the pain of the pressure. You do need to go to an eye specialist. Good luck! Rita is one lucky little dog to have you two.
Karen Sutton says
Jill is blind too – from cataracts. It’s amazing how well she has adapted. We take her with us on trips. We usually rent a condo if we’re not taking the RV. She adapts very quickly – she’s learned that if I say ‘careful’ she’s going to bump into something and she slows down and finds her way around the obstacle.
dezertsuz says
It seems she’s adapting well. I didn’t realize she had gone all the way blind now.
cassews says
She has great Human Parents to take care of her and I am sure she is thankful !
Shauna says
I had a blind dog for quite sometime he did really well as long as we didn’t move furniture around and of course we didn’t. The only vacation we took we had a friend stay in our home with him and he did good. But I wouldn’t board him because of the same reasons you have. Some see it as limiting but the love I received from him was worth it to me and I would give just about anything to have him back.
Connie says
Judy, I just came across this and it made me think of Rita’s life before you
Prayer of a Stray
—————–
Dear God please send me somebody who’ll care!
I’m tired of running, I’m sick with despair
My body is aching, it’s so racked with pain
And dear God I pray as I run in the rain
That someone will love me and give me a home
A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water and God that was hard!
So I chewed my leash God; and I ran away
To rummage in garbage; and live as a stray
But now God I’m tired; and hungry and cold
And I’m Oh so afraid; that I’ll never grow old
They’ve chased me with sticks; hit me with stones
While I run the streets; just looking for bones
I’m not really bad God; please help if you can
For I have become just another; “victim of man!”
I’m wormy dear God; and I’m ridden with fleas
and all that I ever wanted; was an owner to please
If you find one for me God; I’ll try to be good
I won’t chew their shoes; and I’ll do as I should
I’ll love them; protect them; and try to obey
When they tell me to sit; to lie down or to stay!
I don’t think I’ll make it; too long on my own
Cause I’m getting so weak; and I’m Oh so alone
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry
Cause I’m so afraid God; that I’m gonna die
I’ve got so much love; and devotion to give
That I should be given; a new chance to live
So dear God please; oh please; answer my prayer
and send me to somebody; who will really care
That is dear God; if You’re really there!
John Quealy