Going Blind - Sometimes the world just sucks

[Izzy]

Not me, my dog. Jerry is my 11 years old Golden Retriever. Nicest dog you ever wanted to meet. He thinks everyone should be his friend. He has on more than one occasion had a numerous creatures land on his nose. He watched patiently and admired it all. One time it was a hummingbird and another a butterfly. This is the kind of dog that has always taken in the little things and savored them. The smell of a rose, the song of a bird, the occasional hummingbird that greets him on the deck.

Some of you know from last weeks post in animals he has not been doing so well. It has gone downhill since then. He seems to be doing ok as far as the Lyme's deal goes. However I think he has gone blind in one eye and near blind in the other as best as I can tell.

I suspect all he is seeing is color and motion and maybe not even that. One eye is completely blued over and the other is not far behind. Today I went to give him his meds in three bits of hot dog. I tried to get him to track my hand to the dish and he did not. He could smell that I had something but could not see it. Took several minutes to guide him to the treat. When your hand is in "treat" shape he can not tell your hand is empty. He can barely tell where you hand is but he knows something is up.

I caught him faking it today. We moved somethings around the house. Mostly little things down low. I saw him walking into things that we had moved. He just can not see them.

Yes we have taken him to a vet and we were told to get ready for a rough ride. I guess part of this is something like Golden Retriever Uvitis or how ever you spell it.

Rotten politicians hell bent on destroying our world with nothing happening to them but my dog who hurts no one goes blind? This is just sh!t.

This is a picture of him from a few years back:

[Bruce A]

Izzy, I know just how you feel. When the world's best dog, our lab died quite a few yrs ago new, we were devastated. But, the average life span for retrievers is about 10 yrs, our was almost 14 and yours is 11 so these sorts of events are to be expected. It doesn't make it any easier though. Just don't let him suffer will ya?

BTW - Jerry is a fabulous looking dog.

[milosh]

Really a touching story, and a beautiful dog. I truly feel sorry for him.

[scootermcq]

Izzy.... I really feel for you. I have had dogs my entire life and it is one of life's cruel tricks that they age 7 years for our every one. All I know is to think of the joy they gave you and you gave them for 10-15 years. Their life & your life are better for having known each other.

[Noel Hankamer]

I also feel your pain. Our 16 1/2 year old Dalmation, Freckles, is more than half blind, has poor control of her hips, hears poorly, and has heart and lung trouble. The vet says she will go any time now. We just spoil her and love her. The photo is 3+ years ago.


Freckles Christmas 2008 by Noel C. Hankamer, on Flickr

[SwissJon]

Like Scooter, I've been a dog owner all my life and seen the passing of 4 animals, two of which were my childhood best friends, seeing them age and pass on faster than us is not nice, especially when they're a part of the family (LoL.. A smelly one, but a part never the less!)

It is shit, life sucks sometimes. My sympathies.

[NgaiHill]

Izzy, I feel your pain. I've said goodbye to two old dogs in the last year, 13 year old Dougal went unexpectedly in May. He too was losing his eyesight & his hearing. Sometimes when I tried to attract his attention you could see the blank look on his face til I got close enough for him to spot me, then the whole expression changed.
Try to think of what a good life he's had with you, and be strong when the time comes.
Kia Kaha.

[windrider86]

HUgs to you my friend

[mshockley]

Izzy, I'll be praying for your lovely golden, and I too feel for you. As a huge dog lover it doesn't matter what the situation, it always touches my heart!
Grissom and I will be thinking of you!

[CurlyCorry]

This is my 15 yr old Murphy who is also deaf & partially blind. We call him the old guy now.... I also feel your pain Izzy and sympathize. Beautiful boy your Jerry.... )