Blind Japanese Chin Faces Long Road
In all the years I have cared for stray, unwanted or hurt dogs,this new little boy, Spike, now in my home is going to be a heartbreaking bit of work. Sometimes I am able to find out a lot from where the animal came from. Or I’ll be given some sort of history, medical work up, reports from the various people who have looked after him. It all helps getting the dog back on track to a happy, rewarding life with a new owner.
There has been a huge increase on dogs who appear to have just been booted out of their homes, left stranded somewhere, maimed in some fashion or discarded like garbage. I have to keep telling myself that for every unwanted dog, there will be a circle of people who will do everything they can to help a dog. Some dogs never get that chance. By the time they are found, they are so far gone it is a humane thing, to allow them release from their suffering.
Spike is a Japanese Chin, about eight years old, perhaps older. He’s blind. The sketchy history I was handed was that he has glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in dogs. Spike has suffered. He had to have injections in both eyes to kill the fluid that was producing cells in his eyes. The injections stops the pressure and pain. The pressure in Spike’s eyes had risen far above normal causing the lens to be torn from its attachments and go loose inside his eyes. Once the retina is damaged, the sight is gone.
When he was found he was trying to follow children home from school. He used his nose, which is slightly pushed in, ( typical for the breed) to find his way around. Some of the children fed him. How he lasted for days on his own, is a mystery. One of the adults finally took him to an animal clinic. Spikes eyes were bulging, his face crusted from leakage with eventual loss of hair on his cheeks. He was treated, turned over to a foster home but no home for him has been found. He’s turned sour, meaning he may never recover. The people who were caring for him, needed the space for other dogs. Spike needs one on one care. Those dogs usually end up with me.
He has not responded to love, kindness, petting or any sort of gentle stimulus. His hearing is excellent, so is his sense of smell. He’s a nice looking dog, black and white. He appears to be purebred. When he arrived, I gave his some time to wander around. He sat like a little statue. I’ve held him, talked with him, nothing. So I got down on my hands and knees to coax him into exploring. It was more like; he’d sit, I’d push his bum a few inches, he’d sniff, sit, I’d push that bottom forward. We did make it around one entire room. Jasper is very puzzled. In a way I don’t understand my dog senses something, being very hesitant to approach Spike. The Japanese Chin, has done nothing but sit in his bed, pant then have short naps. I’ve given him food and water. He ate and drank without any show of enjoyment. Miss Kitty, the stray kitty has surprised me. She likes Spike. She’s curled up with him several times, purring, washing his face, his ears. No reaction at all.
I wonder if he is mentally impaired? Has he retreated into a place in his mind to escape what has happened to him? How on earth am I going to help this wee boy.
Over the years of fighting arthritis, I had what is called Iritis. The colored part of my eye was inflamed. In my case it was acute. I lost the sight in both eyes for about six months. Light of any form was akin to throwing fire into my eyes. Our home was like a cave, with only candlelight. I drove my family crazy with worry, as I decided to just carry on with my life. I tried to cook, clean the house, do the laundry, all the fun stuff. My hearing and sense of smell became stronger.
While the Iritis was raging, so was the arthritis. What a bungled up mess I had become. I had to crawl on my hands and knees as it was too painful to walk. Someone had to help dress me, even brush my teeth. Every joint screamed bloody hell from the slightest move. I became so weary of being sick. At times I sat like a lump, not giving a damn if the world went around without me.
Now I see Spike, he looks like I felt. He’s quit! He gives the impression of having had all he can handle. If I can humanize him for a bit, I know in a small way, what he is going through. I have to find a way to get him to come to grips with his life as it is now. There has to be a way to break through his wall.
I ate my supper sitting in front of him, smacking my lips, saying. “Wow, Spike, this is sooooo good, you really should try some.” More smacking, slurp, noisy eating…Jasper was right there. I gave him a bite of carrot. For a second I thought Spike perked up. I offered him some too. Only I held his a bit away from his nose, he had to reach it. Down the hatch, back into being a lump.
Someone should tell him, he hasn’t got a chance. I will find a way to draw that little dog out of the darkness and into the light of happiness. It is going to be a long, incredible road. Wish him luck, and please, if you pray, offer one up for this dog! Thanks on his behalf.
