Friday, August 19, 2011

his royal highness


behind the scenes around here this guy's been providing quite the drama...on top of his arthritis his thyroid recently gave him some trouble & then just as that was under control with medication, bam! he loses his sight. the vet said it's just one of those things...no clear cause just rapid degeneration, which in a weird way is kind of a relief because he's not sick, he just can't see. so if anyone has any tips for living with a blind pet I'd really appreciate the advice!

we're maneuvering pretty well through this change {and some other ones as well} but something has to give, so I'm going to take a blog break. I'll still post now & then just not as regularly as I have been. I hope that soon, october-ish I'd guess, I'll be back to weekly posting - maybe even with some new features & more etsy updates {the shop will remain open btw} so I hope you'll stay tuned :)

{have a wonderful weekend!}

21 comments:

Andrea said...

Poor puppy!!!! When my moms dog got old the main thing the vet told her was to clear one room of all obstacles. Chairs, side tables, coffee tables. etc. So there's one room where they can feel 'normal'.

Lora said...

I'm sorry to hear about your dog! I'm glad he's in a good home with people who love him :) My friend had a blind dog growing up - t he main thing was to keep the ground clear and to minimize re-arranging of furniture, etc. Also if you have steps/stairs/uneven surfaces, put a mat or something with a different texture than the floor so the dog can tell they are about to transition into a new surface or need to step up/down. They had hardwood floors and put an outdoor mat on the top of the step to signal going down, and a crinkly mat on the bottom to signal going up.

Candace said...

Sorry to hear about your buddy, he is such a photogenic guy! Just make sure not to sneak up on him - I know they can startle easily when their sight (& hearing) isn't what it used to be.
Good luck with everything!

Martha said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Doe-c-Dog, but I love your positive attitude -- he's blind, but he's not sick.

I haven't had any experience with a blind pet, but I'm sure you'll get lots more great ideas like the ones from Andrea and Lora.

I'll miss checking your blog each morning, but you just take care of that amazing dog!

Anonymous said...

Bless his heart! Good luck with this new adjustment. :)

NanaBeast said...

Doe-c-Dog has given me some really good uppers via your videos and photos. Please, give him a hug from me, NanaBeast. I pray for you both during this new adventure in living. May his signature smile always be at the ready!

Georgia Peachez said...

Check out this blog: http://blog.rollingdogranch.org/rolling_dog_ranch_animal_/
Most of their animals are blind, including the horses! They would be a great source of advice.

trump said...

Greetings everyone from the Amish community of Lebanon,Pa. Richard from Amish Stories.

Sarah B said...

Poor little guy - he's so adorable. We have had a couple of blind pets. I think the main thing is to not redecorate and move things around. He'll remember wher things are. :)

Sarah B said...

Me again, I've just come back to say you must check out that link that the other commenter mentions above. What a great site run by amazing people. There is some great info about blind animals. :)

Mrs Juzzie Green said...

he is a very handsome fella who i'm sure will relish having more of your time. take care.

Anonymous said...

I just recently read about a new book about blind dogs: My Dog is Blind: But Lives Life to the Full! by Nicole Horsky. Wishing his royal hignhess all the best, Barbara

Kitsch and Curious said...

Awww, so sorry to hear about your doggy pal! I hope he manages ok.
I'll miss your blogging, too.
Take care.

JustGail said...

Give His Highness a hug for me. As others have noted, while it's sad, it's not the end of the world. I had a cat that went blind and as others pointed out, keep obstacles to a minimum, or a warning of some type for a danger zone like steps. And try to hold down loud unexpected noises. Maybe a "password" so he knows he's headed for trouble and needs to stop or go slow?

He's such a handsome model, I don't think our dog would allow such things.

blues said...

the king!

woven wood Atlanta said...

Your pet looks very pretty with that colorful cap..I am sure you love him the best way which reflects here.

security system Miami said...

Very sad to hear about your pet. Here are some tips -


Dogs may be afraid of rubber or plastic mats, so introduce them slowly (never forcefully) and offer food treats even if one toe touches the mat. Practice with your dog on a leash if necessary.

Oil-based scents need to be reapplied weekly, but once your dog has developed a mental map of the house and yard, you might not need them. Scent options include prepared air fresheners, body deodorants and furniture polish.

Have your dog's eyes examined by a veterinarian ophthalmologist. Certain blindnesses can be corrected or improved through medications and/or surgery.

Be patient when working with blind dogs. Use praise lavishly.

Don't train or teach blind dogs using negative or punishment-based methods. They're already nervous about their situation, and using negative reinforcement or punishment on these dogs could cause them to become more depressed, anxious or aggressive.

a blog about the little things said...

oh, sweet handsome boy! I'm sorry he has to go through such a drastic change, but know he'll be just fine because he has you. I'm impressed with a lot of the tips other readers have left here. So lovely when the bloggy community offers a helpful paw. :)
much hugs to you during all your transitions!

Kireliols said...

So sad to hear about your dog- my two girls (12 and 10) love to check out the latest photo of him. He sort of looks like our dog and we've come to love your dog too- I'm sure he'll do fine since you are obviously a great pet owner. Best to you from all us gals-

Leanne said...

Your adorable dog always brings me a smile. I hope he is doing better! We had an elderly pup who had sight problems as well, poor old guy. Best wishes to all of you, L

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry to hear this news about your dog. I don't know how to help you in this situation. Living with a blind pet is very difficult. I'm sorry:( Hope that he'll be fine! Best regards, custom essay writing service.