Frequently Asked Questions
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How old were you?
People often assumed I was a senior dog because blindness happens a lot with old age. I was already blind when I was adopted at age 4. I believe I was born on September 22, 2012. I lived until I was almost 10, so I did become a senior dog. I crossed over the rainbow bridge on July 29, 2022. |
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What breed were you?
The animal rescue guessed that I was a Maltese mix. Dawn was curious so she had my DNA tested. I was 100% Havanese which is a specific mix of breeds including Poodle. |
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How did you become blind? Were you born that way?
When the animal rescue sent me to a veterinarian, I was diagnosed with Retinal Detachment and Glaucoma in my right eye and Atrophy in my left eye. Atrophy means to waste away or deteriorate and my left eye was completely deteriorated -- that's why it was smaller than my right eye. I don't know when or how those things happened. Later, I was also diagnosed with Atrophy in my right eye and Cataracts.
When the animal rescue sent me to a veterinarian, I was diagnosed with Retinal Detachment and Glaucoma in my right eye and Atrophy in my left eye. Atrophy means to waste away or deteriorate and my left eye was completely deteriorated -- that's why it was smaller than my right eye. I don't know when or how those things happened. Later, I was also diagnosed with Atrophy in my right eye and Cataracts.
How did you get around since you couldn't see?
It took a little while, but I learned my way around my home from smell and memory. At first, I bumped into things a lot. Dawn, my BFF (best friend forever), kept things in the same place most of the time and she picked things up off the floor right away.
When I was away from home, Dawn guided me with my leash and her voice. If we really needed to get somewhere and I was going slow -- I was easily distracted by sounds and smells! -- then she carried me. When I was really overwhelmed, she definitely carried me so that I felt safe and could just take in all the sounds and smells.
It took a little while, but I learned my way around my home from smell and memory. At first, I bumped into things a lot. Dawn, my BFF (best friend forever), kept things in the same place most of the time and she picked things up off the floor right away.
When I was away from home, Dawn guided me with my leash and her voice. If we really needed to get somewhere and I was going slow -- I was easily distracted by sounds and smells! -- then she carried me. When I was really overwhelmed, she definitely carried me so that I felt safe and could just take in all the sounds and smells.
You didn't have any teeth, so how did you eat?
That's true. I think my teeth were infected so they were removed by the veterinarian to prepare me for adoption. Even though my gums toughened up pretty well, I was more likely to eat if my food was soft. My BFF baked homemade soft treats for me, but I could still eat crunchy cookies if they were broken into small pieces.
Kids, please remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day so they stay healthy.
That's true. I think my teeth were infected so they were removed by the veterinarian to prepare me for adoption. Even though my gums toughened up pretty well, I was more likely to eat if my food was soft. My BFF baked homemade soft treats for me, but I could still eat crunchy cookies if they were broken into small pieces.
Kids, please remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day so they stay healthy.
What was your favourite food?
Doggy treats made of bacon were my very favourite thing to eat. It might surprise you, but I really liked salad! Dawn chopped the lettuce into really small pieces and mixed it with small pieces of meat and shredded cheese -- no dressing.
Doggy treats made of bacon were my very favourite thing to eat. It might surprise you, but I really liked salad! Dawn chopped the lettuce into really small pieces and mixed it with small pieces of meat and shredded cheese -- no dressing.
How often did you go to a groomer?
When I was first adopted, I went to a professional groomer a couple of times. I was the only dog there and Dawn was able to stay, but it was still stressful for me. Dawn watched carefully and bought some tools and figured out how to groom me herself. It was still a little stressful, but at least I was at home. I had a bath about every two weeks and could take time to air dry. Towel cuddles were wonderful and I always got a treat! About once a month I got my fur trimmed, usually the day after my bath so I had time to relax after that. Dawn preferred to take me to a professional to have my nails trimmed.
When I was first adopted, I went to a professional groomer a couple of times. I was the only dog there and Dawn was able to stay, but it was still stressful for me. Dawn watched carefully and bought some tools and figured out how to groom me herself. It was still a little stressful, but at least I was at home. I had a bath about every two weeks and could take time to air dry. Towel cuddles were wonderful and I always got a treat! About once a month I got my fur trimmed, usually the day after my bath so I had time to relax after that. Dawn preferred to take me to a professional to have my nails trimmed.
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What was your favourite toy?
I didn't actually play with the toys most dogs like, such as ball, frisbees, and stuffies. Maybe because I didn't have any during my first four years and I didn't really know what to do with them. Most of my joy came from treats, so I really liked the ball I had that dropped treats for me when I rolled it. If there weren't any treats in it, I didn't play with the ball. I also liked my snuffle mat. It had pieces of felt for me to sniff and dig through to find treats. Any game that involved me finding treats was fun. Sometimes Dawn had me chase her through the house for treats. I could run around the house just fine because I knew where everything was -- plus I was following Dawn. |
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