The day started with transporting Wendy to our panel vet because she had diarrhoea, and there was boarding space, we decided to take Perky and Sweetie out as well because both have not been vaccinated and they might pick up all kinds of diseases at the shelter.
Then, it was checking Jackie out. She has been boarding at the clinic ever since 20th Dec when she was brought back. The eye innucleation had been done, she was spayed, yet, she looked very miserable each time we visited. But she had a good appetite and would polish up all the food instantly (whenever I brought cooked chicken for her). However, most of the time, she would just sleep.
We decided to check Jackie out and bring her closer to me (the same clinic the rest are boarding at now). So, we have all five (Wendy, Sweetie, Perky, Jackie and Russell) at the same place now. It would be much easier for me to monitor them (and to bring them food daily).
I visited all this evening, and had a long talk with the vet, telling him their “history” so far.
Russell (he is doing well) – very happy to see me.
The ever-perky one (the vet thinks she is maybe about 6 months only), Perky.
The sweetest one of ’em all, Sweetie.
Wendy is in isolation because she has diarrhoea now. I sneaked up from far to take this picture. If I went any nearer, she would get up and get all excited.
And here’s Jackie – I was very puzzled why she was facing the back wall of the cage, and when I nudged at her, she wouldn’t even look towards me.
The mystery was solved one hour ago when the vet called me.
Get ready for this…
Jackie is blind.
Gosh, we did not know.
Jackie already had one damaged eye innucleated, but her supposedly “good eye” is also blind, so Jackie is totally and completely blind.
This explains her lack of interest in anything except food, and why she faces the wall, and why she seemed so uninterested in anything.
But being blind is not a crime, so we are going to do our best to find her a home.
The vet said she would be able to cope very well if she gets to live in a loving home. She should be able to sniff her way about and acclimatise with the new surroundings.
Jackie will remain a very quiet dog since she is blind.
Is there anyone out there who would like a totally quiet dog with good appetite?
It can be extremely rewarding looking after a blind dog. She won’t be very active. You just need to keep her confined in a safe place, maybe take her for walks.
Dogs do not depend on their eyesight (they are already quite “blind” to begin with). They rely on their sense of smell and hearing.
Have you ever wondered why the common advice to avoid having a dog chase you is to stay still? That’s because if you stay still, there is no sound, no movement, you blend in with the surroundings and the dog cannot see you!
(The above is what a vet told me once.)
Bobby is as good as blind too. Both of his eyes are so badly cataracted now. He bumps into the furniture sometimes, and he bumps into our legs too. But he is fine. He bullies the cats at times, and they still respect him! He can manage the stairs at home, but not in other places (because he cannot see, and hence, cannot judge the height).
I’ve had friends who had blind dogs (in their old age). They all cope very well.
Please help us find a home for Jackie.
I would like to adopt Jackie, but I simply have no space and my cats might not take to an adult dog. They might run away from home. I thought of using my backyard (Mac’s former kingdom) but that’s Wii’s entrance into the kitchen and the last time I fostered a kitten there, Wii ran away and refused to come back. He just sulked in the alley.
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One response to “Jackie’s “mystery” is solved….”
Poor Jackie. I hope she ends up in loving hands.
I never thought dogs could go blind.