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Frankie has train to be Merry Myrtle's "Seeing Eye Dog". Bummer
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Michigan

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8 August 2018 - 5:27 pm
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Oh, Sally, this is such a precious video what a break thru for Mytrle!! WHOO HOO I can see you grinning ear to ear too! How this lit up both your worlds! It made our day watching her!

She loves all the attention. She is excited, and tail wagging love it!

So happy to see you have found a way to bring her joy. I can only imagine how hard this has been on you both. She had such a good time hopefully she won't be so afraid the next trip. If we close our eyes and hear all the sounds and try to get around with our eyes shut, of course, it would be scary! I would suggest making Clares/Megastar liver treats, but I'm not sure you cook?

Merry Myrtle, you are our blind Rockstar! Keep it up girl slow but sure this will become a new normal with your sparkle back all the time. She showed you her sparkle it's still there she proved that in these videos.

You missed one halo Sally! Draw one on YOU!! We see it!
Lots of love😘
❤️❤️❤️

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8 August 2018 - 8:06 pm
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Awwww! It's wonderful to see her getting out and having a good time Sally! In that heat, and she managed to enjoy herself? WOW! It says so much about her strong spirit and the connection she has with you. Those car rides are magical! YAY! A little pixie dust and loads of affection and admiration at Petco worked their magic. Thank you for sharing!

As for the halo devices...we've actually met the Muffin doggie who inspired that particular halo. It was wonderful to see her getting around with it at two different and very busy vet conferences. I would absolutely consider having one in your toolbox.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Virginia



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8 August 2018 - 10:45 pm
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Thank you everyone,  yet again!!!  Thank you soo much!❤

I have seen the halo in some of the stuff I've  researched (love that you met Muffin Jerry).  I did a little bit of DIY trial and never invested  in one because  of how she reacted negatively to my "sample" I tried.  Granted,  that was NOT a good test of what could be a helpful tool.  I didn't  know how she would react when she a Frankie sleep by each other and the halo bumps him. , Plus I have a small living  area and jer "halo" would have to be pretty large for that big smoochable  head of hers❤

Anyway,  I need to revisit the links (thanks Karen and Michelle) and maybe give it a try.  Sounds like it was a great confidence  builder for Muffin in a strange environment.  That could really  open up Murtle's world.

PAM!  So sorry  your sweet Athena is  faced with loss of her eyesight. My Merrh Myrtle's came on so suddenly that I didn't  have anytime to try and develop  some techniques and strategies  to help her.

 Most of the below  you probably already know.  Plus, I'm probably  about as clear as mud trying  to explain  stuff!!

I'll share a few things that I wish I'd had time to implement while she still had some sight.   Even though Athena is able to only  "see" bright light,  or distinguish  between dark and bright, you still have "time" to prepare her.  When Myrtle went from one good eye, to that eye rapidly  losing  sight, to just distinguishing some light, I didn't  realize how much she could still actually distinguish  until she went totally  blind.   Prior to complete  blindness, even though she stumbled over things, maybe bumped into some things, she still had a fairly good sense of direction...relatively  speaking.  If she got turned around in a room, she was able to reorient  herself at least some of the time.   Now if she gets "off course" just by inches she gets completely  confused and can rarely find her way without me physically  touching  her and guiding  her.

Sooooo....if I had a do-over, I would  associate as many words as possible  for certain locations and directions.  Walk her through it over and over while she has "some" vision  no matter how slight or how cloudy.  Just constantly  use words and/or tapping.

For example, I tap each step as Myrtle tries to go down or up stairs.  Then I say the word "done" when there are no more steps. 

Another thing, especially if she feels uncertain, I get in front of her and  bend down and clap right in front  of her head  as I "lead" her where she needs to go.   Just a steady low sounding  clap. 

I have to be careful  not to JUST use my voice for things like helping  guide her up on my bed.  She will follow my voice which may, for instance, be at the end of the bed.  She jumps up and  BAM...misses the bed! So I make sure I'm  patting loudly on the spot she needs to jump up on and lean my head down tpwards that spot to help guide her with my voice also.  Just  making sure my voice is in same spot as my "pats"so she doesn't  miss the bed.

I'll navigate with my hand on her butt like a rudder and say things like "left", "right", etc.  I can say "wait" when I see her getting  ready to crash into something  and she'll wait for  me to help her make the correction.

Again, getting  in front of her clapping  seems to help guide her as much as my voice.

I'm  going to give you a video link and a book  that were very helpful.   It talks about using  different  textures, different scents, etc as  markers for them.   You may not ever be able to move a door mat or rug ever again!  And be careful.  Can't  tell you how many times Myrtle  has bumped into me when my back was turned and nearly knocked  me down!  One recommendation  was  to put bells on yourself and your dog.

I found that Myrtle  can get "lost" in her yard if the wind is blowing, so I'm  always aware that seems to mess up her scent tracking.   There are scent tracking  systems you can place around  to help them fi d their way.  I happen  to know Myrtle is about to be "gifted" ❤some....shhh...she doesn't  know it yet.   I'll let you know how they work.

Okay....enough of a "for whatever it's  worth"  on stuff you already know novel!!   Just so  sorry you are having  to deal with this.

Would love to see a picture of your girl!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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Virginia



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8 August 2018 - 10:51 pm
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The book: Living With Blind Dogs  by Caroline D Levin, RN

And video:

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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10 August 2018 - 12:20 pm
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Thally!!! How wonderful to see an update like this for your Merry Myrtle!! Im sorry i have been MIA lately, just working my butsky off like mad! But I saw a whole bunch of wordpress that i couldn’t ignore...

i love the videos of Myrtle getting her cookies and i love that you are finding a way to guide each other along this very difficult journey! 

I am now going to pop on over and see how your Freakin’ Handsome Franky is doing... 

Many hugs to you all and special face kisses to your darling Merriest Myrtle. Such a very brave girl!

Super Stu sends many, many smooches your way! 

heartheartheartheartheart

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

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11 August 2018 - 1:46 pm
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Thanks for the info!  My dogs have had many things over the years but I have never personally dealt with blindness yet.  I will look into the book...thanks for the link!

I am still undecided on the halo but perhaps I could start it now while she still has some daytime vision.

Pam

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Virginia



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15 August 2018 - 9:18 pm
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This is a link from over a year ago Jerry just posted on a thread about their dog doing nosework.

One very bizarre thing with Myrtle is her sense of smell  see,s sll messed up.way off base.   Gonna check with her Eye Doc about it.  Was toying with the idea of nosework with her.

Okay, for those of you into "Universe stuff" and no coincidences...take a look at the link Jerry shared with the member.  The link is from 2017.

Read all the way down to the replies.  Make SURE you read Jerry's comment on my reply.   😎😎  Little did I know.........

  http://tripawds.....-work-dog/

And there's  another scent related  "sign", but i'll save that for later.....😉😉

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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16 August 2018 - 10:18 am
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benny55 said
Make SURE you read Jerry's comment on my reply.   😎😎  Little did I know.........

  http://tripawds.....e-work-dog

Sally! That IS a Twilight Zone moment for sure.

I can already envision Merry Myrtle and Elly as a nosework trial duo (EMT = Elly & Myrtle Team)!EllyMyrtleTeam.jpgImage Enlarger

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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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16 August 2018 - 11:01 am
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benny55 said

One very bizarre thing with Myrtle is her sense of smell  see,s sll messed up.way off base.   Gonna check with her Eye Doc about it.  Was toying with the idea of nosework with her.

And there's  another scent related  "sign", but i'll save that for later.....😉😉  

Hey there,

What is wrong with Myrtles smell?  I hope it's just an allergy related thing that is temporary? Something simple? If you get something like cheese or a hot dog and put it in front of her does she smell that? 

I hope this is nothing big.. sending you ginormous hugs to share with your pups heartheart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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16 August 2018 - 11:33 am
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Sounds like maybe Myrtle is still adjusting to her new normal.  (((Big Hugs!!)))  As this progresses I think she will start depending on her nose more and looking for her eyes less, I love the idea of nose work. My pups have "dish network" for ears, wonder if their nose is as good as their ears?? laughinglaughing

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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Virginia



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27 August 2018 - 11:28 pm
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So My sweet Merry Myrtle jad jer rhe appt. today.  Her pressure in both eyes read in the 30's.  That's  a "pain range". They were much lower previous visit. And eyes are "larger" than precious visit,  also indicating  they would be painful. 

He wants me to seriously  consider intravitreal gentocin injection jn both eyes.  He said he would do it at this point if it was his dog in order to stop the pain.  Yes, I've  been googling the heck out of it and getting  my questions  together.  It apparently  stops fluid from producing and the eyeballs shrink and  basically  just become slits.  It's a less expensive  surgery (everything is relative, right?) than removal of both eyes.  Has some risks an d isn't  always successful in stopping pain in long term and eye removal  may end up happening  anyway.  I'm  sure most dogs are much older than poor four year old Myrtle.  Sooooo young!!

I left with more eye drops and  wanted to try and manage  the pain that way a vit longer until I get as fully informed  as possible!  This absolutely  guarantees she will never, ever, ever, have even a 1% chance of ever seeing  again.  I know she is already 100% blind.  It's  just that, at four years old, is there EVER a chance in her lifetime there would be a breakthrough  where eyesight  could be restored??  Just need to wrap my head around everything. 

Oh, and her hearing is lessening and darn if I forgot to ask him about that. I did mention that  her sense of smell seemed to be lessening  thoigh.  Of course, she found the chicken  I put in the floor quickly.  I didn't  think to ask, but I wonder of all these drops are interfering  with her nose and her hearing.

So, that's  where we are for now.  Next appt is middle of October.  Going to email him   quesrions in rhe meantime. Hope he knows how to read tavlet typoing🤣

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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28 August 2018 - 7:37 am
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I have injected eyes before in cases where people can't afford the surgery.  It works but does take more time.  Removing the eye is a fast and easy way to remove the pain.

Your regular vet may be able to do that surgery....it is much easier than an amputation!

Pam

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28 August 2018 - 7:48 am
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Sally, i don’t think your life could be anymore full right now!!! Having just read your post and now seeing Dr Pam’s reply, I immediately went to agree with her... If removing her eyes takes way the pain and if she is no longer able to see... maybe removing her eye’s is the way to go???? Im not saying that you should or shouldn’t Sally, it is just my first reaction upon reading all of this...? I haven’t done any research into the drops, so I’m afraid I’m really not much help am i!!

i have met any pups (young and old) who have had there eyes removed, for various reasons and they are normal happy pups! Myrtle is still young and she is still getting used to being blind. I’m sorry to hear about your coffee table incident! That happened when my cat Odus and my SharPei, Keiko were playing one day. Odus jumped on the table and Keiko followed, giving herself a lovely gash on her leg! Oh the joys of pups and kitties!! So we pick up the pieces Sally and we move on the best we can...

Super Stu is sending Super hugs and kisses and letting you know that we are here for you...

lots of love Sally

heartheartheart

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

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28 August 2018 - 3:18 pm
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Sally I'm so bummed, what an education you didn't need to get. All I can say is that dogs adapt so well to changing circumstances, which duh you already know. Blindness is tough at first but I'm going to bet that over time she will do really well and her other senses will get stronger than ever, including her sense of smell..I mean she did find that chicken right? That is a great sign!

It's good that you are getting all your information together right now, so that you can decide what to do. I'm guessing that giving the go-ahead to remove her eyes is as tough as deciding on amputation, maybe even tougher because there are no 'spares.'

I keep forgetting to mention, you may want to check out Odie's story and if you'd like, I can connect you with his mom, Alicia. She has lots of knowledge about living with a blind doggie.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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28 August 2018 - 3:29 pm
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Hey Sally,

Throwing my .02 cents in there just because. I don't know anything about the injection. What little i have read had a small chance for side effects. 

I have assisted a handful of eye enucleations. With and without prosthetics . Never had a problem, ever. Back in my day the prosthetic was used to take up empty space to lessen the chance for infection. Arguable, maybe but we sterilized the prosthetic and never had an issue. Recovery was quick. Ecollar for sure during the healing. No eye, no pain, pups were great after. No specialist needed, all of the docs i worked with did them. 

My gut is trusting that more than a chemical injection. I think less chance of complication, and i think your fears of sight in the future honestly seem doin to none from what i have read. 

Like you said, she is young and this will literally seal the eyes shut which i think leave much less of a chance for complications. 

Cover your ears to anybody that shouldn't see this... Please and no offense meant in any way. I think you prolly could get some..cough.. help to get this done the right way, my heart and my brain says this is the right way. Totally agree with Dr. Pam... totally. 

Love you guys 💖💖💖

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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