My Chow Chow Charmin was my first dog that was all my own, we had many dogs growing up but she was my special gift from God who came to me as a High School graduation present.
"I cannot see you Mommy, when you cuddle me so near. And yet I know you love me, it's in the words I hear. I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride. I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright For here inside my tiny head it's always dark as night. I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good But I can wag my tail in Thanks just like a good dog should. "She cannot see. The dogs no good" is what some folks might say "She can't be trained, she'll never learn She must be put away." But not you, Mom and Daddy You know that it's alright Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight. You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart." |
Sherrill Wardrip (Blind Dogs List member)
| My Chow Chow Charmin was my first dog that was all my own, we had many dogs growing up but she was my special gift from God who came to me as a High School graduation present. | |
Charmin and I have been through everything together, all of my college years, all the terrible boyfriends, college graduation and she was there with me when I got married and when we made our first big move as real adults. She travels everywhere I go and I can not imagine my life without her. She has truly been like a child to me. So when I found out she had glaucoma and would go blind, I was devastated and did not know how to cope. I went through all the normal emotions: extreme grief and pain, anger, confusion, and finally resolved myself to the fact that I was not going to let this beat her. I did a lot of research and planning trying to be prepared for that faitful day. Unfotunately there is not very much information out there about how to help a newly blind dog adapt to their new life. Caroline Levin wrote the only book published, "Living With Blind Dogs." It was a wonderful help and comfort to me to have the book, but honestly I didn't need it. Charmin taught me everything I would need to know to help her. Everyone told me it would be much harder on me than it would be on her. They said that dogs just don't react to change and injury the way humans do, they were right. The day she took her last look around and closed her eyes for good was no different than any other day in her life. She is truly no different today blind than she was sighted. She does everything she use to do and can get around anywhere, if I didn't know she had two prosthetic eyes I would swear she could see. She is truly an inspiration to me everyday of my life.
*Note from the webdesigner: "Charmin remains the top dog among her two uncles."
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