I am so excited. This has made not only my day, but my month!
I do have an excellent book.
And now I have an excuse to read even before "before bed".
Great idea/plan.
Susan
Catching up...
A great resource, as this transition continues, is Vickie. For many
months she fostered a blind dog named Magoo. Here's her suggestion about
him learning to navigate your house, along with where he should and
shouldn't go potty:
Tell Susan to start scent
marking for Panny. Use one scent exclusively for thresholds going
outside and another scent marking a step-down (separate step-down scents
to differentiate between interior and exterior). She could also use a
separate sent to mark common pathways in the house.
In Living With Blind Dogs, the author goes into detail regarding this.
I definitely don't know what I'm
doing.
I haven't separated the "new dog" stuff from the "blind" stuff....
I'll help you as best I can from a distance. Vickie too. I'll forward a
piece she wrote for the newspaper about Magoo,
Lessons From A Blind Dog. Living With Blind Dogs should help
separate 'new dog' stuff from 'blind' stuff. One thing that helps me
when I have a dog in transition is observing, paying close attention to
the new dog's actions. It took me a week to 'learn' Ranpa, who's been
with me for about 6 weeks. That knowledge will help; be patient as you
discover. For example, I now know that if Ranpa grumbles in the middle
of the night, she needs to go potty. The first several times she did
that, I wasn't sure what the problem was. Did she hear something
outside? Did she want on the bed? Now I know it's because she has to go
potty.
He can't see light and dark. His vision is completely gone.
All will be well as soon as Panchen
realizes that he is safe and loved
here. Unfortunately it may take a while, since he has been shunted
around so much.
Yes, all very true! Patience for Panchen. There's the mantra! Patience,
patience, patience. For now, be 'there' for him. Be a compassionate
leader for him. Don't indulge his loneliness. It's sad, but the best
thing you can do is provide security and leadership without coddling
him. Hope that makes sense...
Besides 'learning' him, focus on scent marking, using what you'll learn
in Living With Blind Dogs. I would take him outside often. If you're
carrying him outside, start to build backwards using baby steps. For
example, if he must go out a door, across a porch and down some
stairs...carry him, but put him down for the final step (not stair) and
give that entire action a name. Outside, go potty is what I use. When
you bring him back in, repeat the same thing in reverse, putting him
down when he's arrived 'in the house'. Again, give it a name. 'All done'
would be appropriate. Repeat this often. As he becomes accustomed to
this routine, build backwards. It's called back chaining. You start with
what's expected at the end, and go backwards from there, increasing as
the dog is ready.
Here's an example that may help you understand the concept. A dog is
afraid to go up or down the stairs. You start by taking the dog to the
bottom of the stairs, asking the dog to go down the last stair. Visa
versa for going up. Carry the dog to the top, so the dog only has to go
up one stair to succeed. GOOD BOY!! That's right! GOOD BOY!! When the
dog can do one stair, add another so the dog must go up or down two
stairs. And continue to build backward. Make sense?
Because he's blind, you'll want to incorporate the scent marking. Hey!
I'll scan those pages and put them up with a private link, so you can
get started with that ASAP. If marking is/becomes/continues to be a
problem, belly bands can help with that transition.
Hope that covers your questions for now.
okie doke.
I've been watching him learn to navigate the rooms and the outdoor areas
already, so I'm not very worried. He does seem to understand "up" for
getting up each step. He also seems to know when he gets lost in the
garden areas that as soon as he can find gravel again he's at least on
one of the right tracks. He'll have it all memorized soon.
Susan
Panchen's First Night and Day here
He's doing well....I have to assume and hope.
He's clearly disoriented and working hard to fix that. I have no idea
if dogs go through a period like a person would of figuring "everything
will go back to normal soon", or if they get immediately with the
program of figuring out the present situation. Ah well, either way, it
will be fine soon.
I have a couple of questions, and will certainly have more as time goes
on.
1. What were you using for flea and tick control and on what schedule?
2. Were you using particular scents to mark parts of the house? It has
been suggested, and I'm thinking that if you did, it would make the most
sense for me to use the same ones -- i.e. vanilla for doorways, sage
for steps, etc.
3. Did you bring a leash? I don't know where I put it if you did.
4. Has he been chipped? Do you know his AVID number if so?
I've taken some pictures, but they are on the other computer. I'll send
some soon.
Susan
Sun is OUT, and that's where we are all going too.
Life is always better from the yard.
Later
Susan
We just came in from an hour or two of gardening. I pruned, Panchen
explored. He's so much more relaxed already. Here are some pictures,
including one of Raji on the couch on the front porch with the Koala
Bears, and one of Panchen and Sammy cuddled together in the armchair
(posed, not quite natural, I have to admit).
| |
|
Panchen |
Panchen and Sammy |
| |
|
Panchen |
Raji |
| |
|
| |
|
Gail, He's doing well....I have to assume and hope.
He's clearly disoriented and working hard to fix that. I have no idea
if dogs go through a period like a person would of figuring "everything
will go back to normal soon", or if they get immediately with the
program of figuring out the present situation. Ah well, either way, it
will be fine soon.
I have a couple of questions, and will certainly have more as time goes
on.
1. What were you using for flea and tick control and on what schedule?
2. Were you using particular scents to mark parts of the house? It has
been suggested, and I'm thinking that if you did, it would make the most
sense for me to use the same ones -- i.e. vanilla for doorways, sage
for steps, etc.
3. Did you bring a leash? I don't know where I put it if you did.
4. Has he been chipped? Do you know his AVID number if so?
I've taken some pictures, but they are on the other computer. I'll send
some soon.
Susan
He's Playing!!!!
Oh my goodness.
He likes to roughhouse !!!!
Wheeeeeeee...
Gotta go encourage this.
S
With which dog? This is excellent!
really with ME. He kinda bounced up to me and started doing that thing
where he pretends he's butting you with his head....and/or trying to
screw his forehead into the ground. I boxed his ears and he just rolled
around a bit. Soon he and Sammy were doing a bit of playing too,
although Sammy always acts as though anyone who sniffs his butt is
insulting his dignity. He sort of does this jump up and turn around and
gives the offending dog a withering glare of indignation. But Sammy
loves to get me to wrestle with him, so they will be great pals..
Rinchen is still gonna give him a hard time for awhile...He's always a
bit standoffish. He makes me get back up out of bed and go ask him to
join me....Never takes it for granted that I want him to come and sleep
with us....
Seeing him with his longish hair makes me consider (consider !!!!)
letting everyone get a bit longer. Hmmmmm....I have a few weeks to
decide.
Susan
He's PLAYING !!!!! and FIGHTING
but Raji and Panchen had their first knock-down tonight. I was
watching
TV with Panchen next to me on the sofa when Raji jumped up onto my lap.
Panchen probably got cuffed in the process, and flew into a rage at Raji
who raged right back. Luckily I was right in the middle and it was easy
to get them to give it up. They're both pissed off, but...that's life,
and frankly I'm glad to see him engaging even if it's being a crabby
little so and so.
Susan
He's PLAYING!!!! and FIGHTING part 2
Raji had retired to my room after the dustup with Panchen. I just went
and snuggled with her a bit, carried her in and tried to put her on the
other side of my lap, but Panchen lashed out at her. Whaaaaa. Looks
like Panchen will be sleeping in his own bed on the floor tonight. Raji
is not gonna get kicked out of her own bed; he's gonna have to mind his
manners. Last night she slept in the living room, but so did Rinchen,
and I figured it was just a transition. Guess I'll make sure my three
are back to normal before I invite him back up on the bed for sleeping.
Does that sound right to you?
Susan
Absolutely!!
If I were transitioning, he would sleep in a crate by my bedside. Close
to me and his new pack, but not up close and personal. The dogs have
enough to sort out right now. While Ranpa has been here, she's
been allowed full house privileges unless I'm gone or it's bedtime. She
sleeps in a crate right next to my bed. I can flop my hand right next to
the door, if needed, for a bit of comfort. Approaching it this way
allows the rest of the dogs to sleep status quo, yet starts the
transition of Panchen sleeping in bed (if that's the desired end result)
with 'the pack'. The crate offers a certain sense of security, a den -
if you will. He is crate trained and should have no issue with barrier
frustration. I think this approach offers the best possibility of a nice
night's sleep for all involved. If you don't have a crate, consider
tethering him to your bedside. That's the way the Monks of New Skete
have done it for years. The tether functions basically like a crate.
Keeps the dog 'confined' and secure by you. You could put his bed next
to your bed, where he can sleep in it, tethered.
One more thing...don't make the mistake of thinking Panchen's
establishing territory or trying to be 'alpha' with his lashing out. He
is not an alpha dog (and it's recently been discovered that packs are
far more 'fluid' than previously thought). His behavior is defensive,
albeit a bit warped. I do think that is almost all related to his
blindness, not his newness. This is not to say you should ignore it!
But, you need to understand it in order to handle the scuffles that
arise. I would monitor any scuffles and it they don't subside
appropriately almost immediately, I would flex my own alphaness. KNOCK
IT OFF!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING??!! I might also apply a little
'time-out'.
There's another book that may be helpful for you...Canine Body Language,
A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff. Do realize that Panchen
can't 'read' the body language, however it will be very helpful for you
to know 'what' the dogs are 'saying'. It also shows appropriate alpha
behavior, geared to human alpha behavior, not canine. Often the
appropriate alpha behavior from us is to simply ignore the spats, while
monitoring that no one gets hurt.
Thanks more and more. I just got two long emails from Gail which I
will
forward to you.
I do not have a crate. Maybe I will just try to fence him into a small
area by my side of the bed. Tethering sounds a bit scary to me.
Good about the non-alpha male perspective. I was thinking they were
vying for "oldest/lamest/most venerable" status. I think you are right,
though, that it is his vulnerability that is the issue.
I'm going to try to put the whole passel of us into the bedroom now, so
I will get back to you again with progress reports tomorrow. Tomorrow I
will also call Avid to get Panchen moved to my account, call the vet for
an appointment, and call the groomer to add him to our appointment later
this month. At the moment, Panchen is sitting on my lap with his chin
on my right forearm as I type. Raji is already in our bed (which is her
usual behavior).
Until tomorrow.
Good night.
Susan
Gail wrote:
just got the message...Firstly...he only lived in the kitchen and the
bedroom and went to pee on the outside porch...I didn't let him have the
run
of the house...and the stairs are gated off...We have a level in house. So
it didn't take long for him to navigate into the kitchen and the
bedroom...and I would open the sliding door to go outside where he might
sit
on a blanket in the sun...You have a lot more territory than I do...I did
not bring a leash...I have one and I have a halter that I can send you...I
would be glad to...I didn't think to bring it. I am assuming the Gompas
are
microchipped. Debby would have that AVID number. I do not...So I didn't
have
to use oils to mark places...altho I certainly used many essential
oils...I
used oil (Jatamansi) on the top of his head at night for calming.and
Rescue
Remedy also.....I never even thought to let him have the run of the
house...My shih tzu who is 16 ,doesn't, but the little shih tzu does. I
trust him not to pee. The rug in the living room, even tho it is clean,
has
been peed on so many times.by foster dogs...so just as a matter of
principle, I don't let the dogs go in there...I changed my ideas about
using
flea control on the dogs several months ago...I would use it if I
absolutely
had to during the summer, but not on a regular basis...I would use baths
instead...Panchen does have a habit of scratching his hind leg on the side
of his body...He started to do that when he came to me..The flaxseed oil
or
fish oil in his food would help...I was using a supplement from Warren
Eckstein...dog behaviorist..just google Warren Eckstein....I just have a
feeling it was from the inoculation he had before he came...Also did you
note the little cyst on the right side of his muzzle? Chris is here and
said
to go to blinddogs.com I would love to see the pics...!!! She also said
to
explain to him the situation about living in a new house now with his
Gompa
family....since I didn't...Panchen wasn't outside in the woods.. just
outside for a little every day...in thinking about the heartworm...Panchen
went in the car with me alot...when I did errands...Like Mac who took care
of Panchen for awhile, said Panchen liked to have a job...He would go to
the
ashram in the morning with me, wait in the car and then when we left, he
knew he would get a muffin...from Fanny's..He likes to be held..He likes
to
watch tv on the couch...He would go to San Francisco to the reflexologist
with me and sit in the chair while I had my treatment and was very
quiet...But I would think what he wasn't able to get with me, being
outside
and exploring the garden and trailing the other dogs is very important for
him...He loved his bed. He had a post by the door in the kitchen...He
liked
to be able to retreat to that spot..his spot...a security for him. How did
he do last night? Did he sleep in the bedroom? Oh yes, he does love a raw
marrow bone...But he is possessive of it...so..Did that help? I will send
you the leash and the harness...The veterinary opthamologist always says
no
collars for dogs with eye stuff...so thats why I use the mesh harness...It
doesn't increase the pressure in their eyeballs like a leash and collar do
in the higher risk dogs...
Oh Gail, that is all very helpful. Thank You. Every bit of information
helps me to understand what I should and shouldn't expect from this
guy. It seems as if he is going to have a lot more room to roam here
and therefore will have to master a lot more. Seems to me that will be
good for him, and I can see already that he is up to the task. He has
spent a lot of time just moving around the rooms, approaching everything
slowly enough that he just bumps and turns and bumps and turns. (Maybe
that cyst is really a callous from navigating with his nose????)
Anyway, he's just going to have to have the run of the house because I'm
in it all the time and moving from room to room. Perhaps if I were away
from the house for long periods I would end up closing him into fewer
rooms, but it's just not how life is here. He will have to learn some
more ups and downs, but already I can see that when he bumps into the
front stoop and I say "up" he gets it that he doesn't have to turn away,
that that is where he can come "up". He's a very smart little cookie.
He hasn't slept in his bed since he's been here, and I'm not sure what
that is about. Well, for one thing, Rinchen took it over right away,
but even when it's been free, he's seemed to be more likely to find a
place very much in the middle of the room and just hunker down there.
I'm sure all that will change. None of my kids have their own beds;
they all rotate and share and roam from bed to bed to bed....there are
just lots of them in various sizes and places, and I'm sure eventually
he'll feel free to to the same.
I did bring him onto the bed with me last night, at which point two of
my three left in indignation. We did a lot of getting up and getting
down and going out and moving from room to room to see if we could find
a comfort zone, but eventually I just had to sleep and ignored them all
for a couple of hours. No one except me seems the worse for wear.
We will definitely have to put him on Advantix here. Fleas and ticks
are rampant.
My dogs have always used harnesses (not collars), so we are used to that
regimen.
My mind is pretty boggled by all of this, so if I'm not terribly
coherent, you will just have to pardon me and wait until the newness
wears off. Thank you again for giving Panchen to us. We will do our
best to deserve him.
Susan and Rinchen and Raji and Sammy
You are very coherent...and the fact that he is
not hiding in his bed is
very good I think...shows he is interested and going to be
comfortable...Alot of being in his bed was out of insecurity and the fact
that he could not be in the same room with B the old tzu....If they
bumped,
they would fight. I didn't realize how small his world was...If he had
gone
into the living room, he would then have gone into Zak's room and Dani's
room and I did not want him to get lost in there and pee in there and
possibly get tangled in computer wires...Our stairs down to Bruce's office
are very steep...no one can go down there except the cat...So its gated
off...Like I said, I love your house...someday I hope I can have a similar
one...very open and esp. with a screened in porch...reminds me of the
sleeping porch in my grandfather's house in Michigan that we all
adored...a
glorified log cabin a block from the beach with two yards...I just want a
house like that...You have a good dog house...Mine is not right now....Yes
I
know...ticks and fleas...ugh...See up here in the hills, fleas were not
too
bad...cause its not so dry and hot as on the flatlands, like in San
Leandro
where my friend Chris, the lhasa person lives.....She had a horrible time
this last summer with her dogs and the fleas and finally had to resort to
Frontline...and I never walked Panchen down the hill...carried
him...didn't
walk him...and yes, he is very smart isn't he??? Debby told me he had the
doggy door at her house so it shouldn't be so much of a challenge to
learn...more later....hope you get some sleep tonight...
Keeping my fingers crossed you've received at
least 3 hours sleep rather than 2...
I've thought and thought about how/what I would
teach to lessen the chances of fighting. I think this is 'blind' dog
stuff far more than 'new' dog stuff. Panchen can't see what's going on,
so something like Raji jumping up on your lap, with him in the immediate
vicinity scares/threatens him. Dogs are programmed for Fight or
Flight when scared/threatened. That is what's going on and it's
important to understand that in order to teach/prevent.
If you're waiting for Living With Blind Dogs to
come into your library, I suggest you purchase it instead. It will be a
great reference book. Such encounters are discussed in the book. One of
the suggestions is to put a bell - a different sounding bell - on each
dog and yourself. This way the blind dog knows which dog is
approaching. Makes sense to me, although I wonder why each dog's
different scent doesn't provide enough information?? Maybe you can find
other solutions cruising some of the resources for blind dogs on the
internet. I am interested to know what helpful tips you discover.
I'd work on a cue to let Panchen know another dog
is coming near when he's relaxing with you on the couch. "Here comes
Raji!". Or maybe warn Panchen to behave himself, which would provide
leadership. Leadership provides security which lessens the dog's Flight
or Fright mechanism. You can teach both. "Here comes Raji!" (happy,
uplifted voice) "Panchen, IT"S FINE!" (lower, slower voice)
Good Morning.
Yeah, we're getting the hang of it. The house is filthy, P peed in the
hall this morning. And I'm still short on sleep. BUT I think we are
making enormous progress.
Last night I did what I said I did and made an enclosure that just fit
around the donut bed that Gail had brought up with him. It was right in
the corner at the head of my bed, so I could reach down and fondle him.
Rinchen and Raji just stayed in the living room. Sammy slept (he's a
champion sleeper) on the other side of me. Well, Panchen wasn't having
any of it. He cried until I picked him up and took him outside for a
check on whether he had to pee. Of course he marked, but that was all.
Back in his cell. Then he barked and barked and barked....sound machine
didn't begin to soothe him. Well, Rinchen and Raji were still
boycotting the bedroom, so I picked him up and tucked him into the side
of me close to the edge of the bed, with Sammy slammed up against the
oher side, and he just slept and slept and slept. Hurrah. In the
morning, Raji came in to get me up, basically ignoring him.
This morning I took him outside, but I'm not used to having to do that,
and I probably wasn't patient enough. Soon after he came back in he was
fretting at a closed door into my office, and that fretting meant he had
to pee. I didn't catch it as his signal, and he peed a small river
there in the hall. Big deal....
He actually seems pretty happy this morning. He scarfed down his
breakfast (Nature's Variety raw); then I took him outside and he had a
nice pale brown solid poop; and right now he's doing justice to his 1/4
of a Jumbo Flossie.
I pushed him in and out the tiny dog door a few times this morning and
scented that with Amber essence. Trouble is now I smell of amber
too.... I think I am going to do very little scenting, going on the
assumption that each of us has his/her own scents (as you mentioned).
I mean even I can tell the difference between Sammy's smell and any
other dog's smell; I just love how he smells, by the way; and if I
can, I'm sure a blind dog can.
I think Sammy and Panchen are going to pair up much the way Raji and
Rinchen are paired. One older one younger; the older acting more like
the younger in a lot of cases.
I just noticed that he seems to be missing his bottom front teeth? Is
that right? Which reminds me, so I can tell the vet, maybe you have a
brief list of his medical history? Maybe the glaucoma surgery is the
only thing, but Gail didn't seem to have any medical information except
the papers you sent with him when he was shipped to her. Re the
Glaucoma surgery, remind me of the date and description. P will be
going to the same veterinary group (3 women) who have been taking care
of my three since I got Rinchen who had to be operated on immediately
for Cherry Eye. They are familiar with me and my Gompas....
Time to drink some tea and ....
Susan
PS I still have the little carrying front pack I got when I first got
Rinchen. I may try putting P into it today while I run the vacuum....
Tea !!!!!
Panchen's second morning
He's sitting beside me here in the armchair as I type this.
He's very calm. All the other kids are in nap mode in various places.
Raji is probably back up on my bed, as she's the only one I can't see
from here, and that's where she usually is at this time of the morning.
On Friday at 10:20 we see the vet.
On the 24th he goes to Kathy for grooming.
Everything is on track!!!
I love this little guy.
Susan
well well well
Another blindness dustup and a pollyanna moment.
Just a bit ago all the dogs were sleeping in various parts of the living
room and I took the opportunity to go into the bedroom to vacuum. Just
as I was stopping, I heard Panchen screach, and I ran out just in time
to see that Sammy had hurled himself into the chair, scared the p*** out
of Panchen, and Panchen had screamed and bitten. Okay, then, your
diagnosis was right on target. Blindness not aggression is the
problem. We can handle all that.
Back to finish vacuuming it occurred to me that perhaps both Sammy and
Raji will learn not to hurl themselves into laps without invitation???
They both do it. My personal perspective is always a slight apology and
a shrug.....the dogs live here, we hardly have any guests, hope you
don't mind....It IS their house, afterall. Anyway, it would still be a
better thing if they waited to be invited, and maybe Panchen will teach
them something I've been too lackadaisical to bother with.
We're climbing the learning curve....
Susan
Panchen the Perfect
So as of today, he's officially "got it". He likes the arm chair.
He's
okay with the leather sofa (kinda cold). He likes the furry thing on
the floor.
He'd rather stay inside....thank you.
When he got fidgety a while back I figured I'd take him out. So, I
picked him up and carried him out the front door. Put him on the deck
(one step down to the walkway). He followed my voice and sorta stumbled
on the step at the same time that I said "down". Then I said "okay, go
pee". So he found his favorite nearest tiny bush and lifted his leg.
Then he went back up the step, along the deck, turned right and went up
two steps, went across the porch and up the step into the living room,
found the grey furry thing on the floor and went back to sleep.
I'm impressed !!!!
and in love....
Susan
Good Morning Susan,
Just to let you know, I'm not usually at the
computer during the week. I do check email and try to keep things
updated, like my work schedule. I don't want you to think that because
I'm not responding like I was over the weekend, that I don't care! I
love reading about Panchen's transition.
Quickly...as I have to get on with the morning and
be at the shop by 8AM. Thought more about bells and scent and why bells
might be necessary when dogs have such a keen sense of scent. I'll bet
it because the sound of each dog's bell lets the blind dog know how
close the other dog is getting. The blind dog can smell the dog, but can
tell proximity better using sound, not scent.
Regarding dogs on laps without invitations. I
understand your previous approach - the dogs live here and it's their
home - if you don't like it, leave. I have the same belief about
visitors in my home. The thing to consider is that a dog sitting on a
lap is dominant posturing, in the canine world. You can see why the dogs
might think it's a grand idea with guests. Not only do the dogs display
territory dominance, but they get petted too! Win, win from the dog's
perspective. My dogs are NOT allowed to determine if and when they get
on my lap. Just as they're not allowed to go through a doorway in front
of me, unless I've indicated they may do so. I invite them on my lap.
That way my 'posturing' is that of dominance.
You might want to consider incorporating this -
the lap invitation - into your daily routine. It might help resolve
Leaping Into The Lap and startling Panchen. To do this, when one of your
dogs gets on your lap without invitation, simply remove him/her. You may
have to outlast the dog while introducing the concept. After the dog has
stopped attempting the lap sit, invite him/her into your lap. Using a
simply pat of your hand on your lap will suffice.
Yes, he has missing teeth, more than just the
bottom front teeth. This group of dogs doesn't have the best dental
formation to begin with. His nutrition as a youngster, I'm sure, was
lacking. He did have his teeth cleaned when he was neutered, prior to
going to Gail's last year. Did Gail give you the information that came
with him? The date of his Rabies vaccination should be on there. If I
were determining his vaccinations, I wouldn't be vaccinating him. Don't
know your veterinarians' opinion on vaccinations, but I am a minimalist
on the subject. A minimalist!!
His eye surgery was done in September 2005, by Dr.
Todd Hammond, a veterinary eye specialist. After he determined Panchen
was blind, and gave me the options, I selected the least invasive.
Basically, with glaucoma the duct work that allows the ever flowing
liquid in the eyeball to exit breaks down, plugging up the works. This
creates great pressure in the eye, is very painful and cause severe
headaches. Humans, of course, can tell someone they have a headache.
Dogs cannot. The choices were to remove the eyes; remove the eyes and
put in prosthesis, or the alternative I selected. It was least invasive
with a 70% chance of success. Panchen's surgery was successful. Dr.
Hammond destroyed some of the entrance duct work, so fluid doesn't enter
the eyeballs.
We have now reached a level of comfort when I don't think you have to
worry about leaving me alone for the week. I am an internet addict.
I'm online all day and so I may send you a bunch of messages as I think
of things. But I will know that you have a life and won't expect to
hear back immediately. Panchen is asleep in the other armchair (the one
that used to be mine), and the other three are sleeping in various
places on the floor and in beds close by. He's doing so well that I
can't imagine we will have any need for "help" or "information" in a
hurry now.
Last night (night 3), I just pulled Panchen into bed on the side of me
between the edge of the bed and where the other dogs usually sleep.
Only Sammy slept with us. Raji and Rinchen stayed in the living room.
I have to say it was very comfortable to be in the middle of the bed
with only one dog on each side. And neither Raji nor Rinchen seems
upset by this change. Who knows how long it will last for. It doesn't
seem worrisome. As soon as Raji realized that Panchen had moved into
the living room, she came and laid down with me for a while.. It is all
working out...
We will still probably have to do without bells since my dogs don't wear
collars. (All their ID stuff is on their harnesses, which they only
wear when we leave the property, which at this point is only about once
a month for the groomer.) If, on the other hand, you know of or find a
source of GOOD small bells, I'd reconsider. A few years ago I went
looking for bells for either the dogs or cats or something, and couldn't
find anything that was tiny and had a good sound. I'd bell them if I
could find real melodic bells; everything I could find that was small
just jangled or clanged.
So, all is well and you can go on with your life knowing you have made
a match that has made our life quite heavenly.
Susan
Be Thou My Vision...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Posted by
Katy Widger
This is a rough sketch of a blind dog. His name is Panchen, and he is
a Gompa Apso from Tibet.
He came to this country, the United States, for the purpose of saving
his kind by virtue of his unique and precious genes. He has walked
that path, passed on his genes to a new generation of Tibetan Apsos.
Now, he is adjusting to a new life among his kin at the private home
of a kindred spirit, where he can live out his sightless life in
safety and love and acceptance.
I have been walking a path through the darkness in my own life. Often,
I have wondered what it would be like to be physically blind. We talk
about "blind faith". We ask of the LORD, "Be Thou my vision.." The
Word tells us that "faith comes by hearing, and not by sight," meaning
that we listen with our hearts. We seek to enlighten our souls with
the vision of the heart, as we walk by faith, and not by sight.
Now comes a blind dog to show me the way. He is not mine; my only
connection to him is one of empathy, yet he is present in my prayers.
Right now, he must re-align himself with the new world that is his
universe. He must do so relying strictly on his intuition, his sense
of smell and hearing, and the vision of his heart. Surely, this Spirit
of Dignity is guided by the Source of All That IS.
My heart aligns itself with yours, Panny.
Panchen is doing beautifully.
Susan
Hello there, and I'll bet you are looking forward to your weekend.
Yesterday I took Panchen to the vet, and she seemed generally pleased
with him. She reminded me that when I first started going to her I was
a "cat person". How life has changed....
I'm guess I'm not going to get Panchen licensed here, which will mean
that no one will be showing up to hassle me about Rabies every few
years. (I need to figure out how to get out of doing that to Rinchen
and Sammy without having the county come looking for me when I don't
renew their licenses. I'll be trying to stay apprised of the Rabies
Project stuff; is there a website I should have bookmarked?)
My vet's take on the vaccinations was "I wouldn't recommend any for him
at this age...." Good.
And, today the vet's office called to report that all his lab work
looked normal and that he tested negative for heartworm. Apparently
that will tell us that he didn't have heartworm 6 months ago. In 6
months we will test him again, just to be sure nothing developed since
then. Meanwhile, he can be put on Heartgard, which I will do asap.
Dr. Leavy did look at his cyst, but we (I) forgot to ask her what she
thought about it. She will call later in the week and I will ask her
then. I just checked with Gail to ask her when it had shown up, and she
said he had it when he arrived at her house. I had not realized that,
or I would have asked you about it. Did you ever get a vet's opinion on
it or have it biopsied or any of that? No sense putting Panchen or my
bank account through any tests that we really don't need.
All that and heaven too.
He's acclimating beautifully.
So are we.
Susan
Panchen seems to be doing very well. Sometimes I worry, but I'm a
worrier by nature, so that's not surprising. I worried when I woke up
this morning and found he had pooped and peed in the living room (I'm
pretty sure he had pooped before bedtime, so I probably just missed his
signals when he jumped off the bed and went into the other room); I
worried this morning when he and Rinchen went at it (Rinchen lost more
hair than Panchen did, as far as I can tell.) But....the worry is
always followed by triumph. Soon after breakfast he made a beeline for
an open door, went down 4 steps I had no idea he could navigate, and
pooped when he hit the dirt; and today when I came home from having
left them all alone in the house for the first time, they ALL came
running to the door to greet me. All in all, I think we are all doing
very very well. Truth is my Sammy is pretty neurotic (sometimes I even
think schizophrenic), Rinchen is always mean to visiting dogs, Raji
hates ALL human males, and Panchen has just brought a new and slightly
different set of oddities to the table.
Yesterday I took him wine tasting with me, and he was -- as always --
the center of attention. He really loves to ride around in the pack.
We got to a friend's house where there were two small dogs, and he got
right out (peed on the floor, which was absolutely my fault since every
other time I've taken him out of the pack, my first words to him have
been "go pee") and generally made himself at home.
On Thursday he will be getting his hair cut short when all four of the
kids go to the groomers.
All is well here.
Susan
Panchen's haircut
1/26/2008
Okay, okay, he's not so very regal looking anymore.
In fact, he looks downright dorky.
But, hey, who cares, right????!!!!
He was pretty severely matted underneath his gorgeous coat, so this
first cut was a bit more drastic than future ones may be. Also, when I
went to pick him up, Cathy had still left his ears longer than I wanted,
so I chopped them when we got home -- so it's not his fault if he looks
a bit silly.
We've had days of rain with a brief dry spell this morning -- whew.
For two days I've taken him outside to pee and poop and he has
resolutely headed for the door. Forget it he says....I want to go
inside where it's dry. This morning's brief respite gave him a chance
to get a head start on the next rains, and I can stop about his needing
to go out and take a much needed visit to the Y for a dip in the warm
warm pool.
All is well here.
Susan
Clearly, today, everyone in the house is beginning to feel
comfortable.
My dogs, who have been wary, have finally gotten it that there really is
enough to go around. Panchen seems to understand now that no one is
jostling him on purpose. The anxiety has left and we are now in full
enjoyment of our bigger family.
And Panchen is looking better by the minute. The new ends of his
haircut are beginning to fall into place; he's looking up instead of
holding his head down; he comes running to the door when I come
home....
Blah, blah, blah....
I think the story is now complete.
Susan
Meet here Panchen, Gompa Apso from Tibet.
He has literally traveled the world and lives now
in his forever home with his new person and three of his Apso clansmen.
Blind, yet his vision extends over the miles to
look into my heart.
Fare thee well, Silver Dog!
Panchen's posture gets more upright by the day.
Here are the four gompas all doing their Sunday morning snoozes.
Your library pictures are stunning.
Katy's picture of Panchen is excellent. She did a good job of dealing
with the blindness without showing his eyes specifically.
Susan
Here's what a nice sunny day can do even for an "Old Blind Dog"
