National Specially-abled Pets Day!

4/29/2012

Thursday is National Specially-abled Pets Day!
This holiday is recognized and celebrated annually every May 3rd!

National Specially-abled Pets Day encourages adoption always and for people who would like to bring a new furry family member home, to consider a specially-abled pet.

Daphne and me!

Many of you already know that I brought home my specially-abled, one-eyed dog Daphne nearly 7 years ago!
But what most of you don’t know, is that Daphne lost her sight completely and suddenly last month.
I had a much harder time adjusting than Daphne, so was unable to write about it until now.

I will be eternally grateful to Karen Goodale and her wonderful website BlindDogs.net.
Her dog Lucy is a Jack Russell Terrier that suddenly went totally blind the same way Daphne did – from SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome) in September 2004.

Lucy!

At the time, Lucy was just 2 ½ years old. Karen created her website after learning how often blind dogs that are otherwise perfectly healthy are put to sleep. Her hope is to make people aware of what happy and fulfilled lives blind dogs can still have! The website offers support and information to help other dog owners that are adjusting to life with a newly blind dog, or a dog that may slowly be losing their sight – and let us pet-parents know we are not alone! Most importantly, BlindDogs.net reminds us that blind dogs see with their hearts!

I am also so very grateful for friends like Liz Thoresen.
Liz is a wonderful portrait artist, and she created this beautiful pastel painting of Daphne for me.

I was so afraid when I first suspected that Daphne was losing her sight, but had only talked with family about my concerns. Yet somehow Liz seemed to know; that week in the mail I received a wonderful magazine article and note in the mail from Liz. The article was entitled Outta Sight! from the Winter 2010/11 issue of Modern Dog magazine. The note from Liz and magazine article really lifted my spirits.

Since becoming completely blind, Daphne has adjusted quickly and amazingly well!
She is such an inspiration to me…she always has been, but even more now than ever!
Daphne’s blindness has been another journey, another learning experience, and the bond between us has only grown stronger, the trust between us even deeper. I wanted to share with you a few things Daphne has taught me.

12 Important Things I’ve learned from my dog Daphne:

1. Never give up!
2. Live in the present.
3. Never be embarrassed of showing enthusiasm and excitement.
4. Go for lots of walks.
5. Take lots of naps.
6. Don’t hold grudges.
7. Stick close to the people you love.
8. Find joy in the little things.
9. See with your heart, not just your eyes.
10. Listen carefully.
11. Do the things you love.
12. An old dog can learn new tricks!

Have a great beginning to your week!
Mary^

23 Comments

patsypaterno link

4/29/2012 07:28:02 pm

Hi Mary, sorry to hear about Daphne losing her sight completely. I can't imagine how I would feel if it happened to my dog! Patsy from <br /><a href="http://patsypat.blogspot.com"

rel="nofollow">HeARTworks</a>

Mary link

4/29/2012 10:48:47 pm

Patsy,
It was really shocking at first...but I had to remember that Daphne's being blind had no effect on her capacity to love! :)
She's a trooper!!
Adjusted much faster than I could have!
~Mary

Kae link

4/29/2012 10:44:57 pm

Mary this is a very special post! I love the things Daphne has tauht you!! xokp

Mary link

4/29/2012 10:47:28 pm

Thank you, Kae!
I feel so fortunate to have learned so much from her!

liz thoresen link

4/30/2012 12:06:44 am

What a wonderful post Mary! I especially love the twelve things you have learned from sweet Daphne. You are both so lucky to have found one another.

Mary link

4/30/2012 12:22:28 am

Thank you, Liz, for all of the amazing support you've offered to both Daphne and me during this journey we're taking.
I will always treasure the portrait you created of Daphne!
~Mary

Dana link

4/30/2012 03:26:06 am

What a wonderfully inspiring post. Thanks for sharing!

Mary link

4/30/2012 03:38:53 am

Glad it inspired you, Dana!

Sigga Dís

4/30/2012 10:00:12 am

Sorry to hear about your dog. I have one to, two years old american cooker spaniel/poodle named Skuggi/Shadow. He is so naughty.. driving me crazy sometimes like to night when he jumped to the dinner table and ate my sons dinner while he went to get him self a glass of water.. but most of the time he is my best friend, following me around and sleeping beside my legs.. Dogs are great friends.
Like the 12 important things you wrote.

Mary link

4/30/2012 10:17:55 am

Shadow is a great name! He sounds very smart! :)
Dogs are great and so comforting!
Thank you for your comment. :)

liz thoresen link

5/3/2012 07:12:26 am

Sigga... I am still laughing over the vision of your Skuggi/Shadow jumping on the dinner table and eating your son's dinner. What a smart dog!! I think that is a painting!

Rachael Caringella link

4/30/2012 11:04:43 am

Aww! I LOVE LOVE this! Dogs can teach us SO much. Daphne sounds amazing. What a hero!

Mary link

5/3/2012 07:27:13 am

Thank you, Rachael!
I happen to think that Daphne is pretty amazing. :)
Hero is a great word to describe her, too!

LeAnn link

5/1/2012 01:38:53 am

What a wonderful thing that you and Daphne found each other! Loved this post.

Mary link

5/1/2012 05:19:47 am

Thanks, LeAnn!
Glad you enjoyed this post...and I, too, am so happy that Daphne and I found each other!

Denise Phillips link

5/2/2012 08:27:08 am

Oh Mary, as you know we currently have 3 dogs in our home, ( I take it everyone knows that from Facebook! LOL). Our series of dogs prior to this elderly lot of ours, we had a white toy poodle for over 10 years, along with others:) 'Muffy' went suddenly blind at 5 years of age. He had a series of medical issues that showed that he had come from poor breeding, ( the vet had the word 'mutant' on the top of Muffy's file:). There was an experimental surgery using human retinas to replace the damaged. We were offered the chance, (which involved traveling) to get Muffy this surgery. Instead, we chose chain link fence for our front yard, baby dog proofing the front yard, ( no bushes with sharp edges and twigs, and such), Baby dog proofed out home, and used scented oils on each chair leg, table leg, and such so he could compensate with his smell. I'm I'm pleased to say that Muffy was a total surprise to anyone who came in our home, as he was brilliant in 'knowing' where everything was, and was confident to run through the house and jump on couches and such like a sighted dog. It can be done!! Daphne is a survivor! And with you becoming one of 'her senses' to protect her, and give her a consistent and safe environment, she'll be even more bonded to you than she already was. They appreciate when we intervene on their behalf, and will show it the rest of their lives. You Rock Daphne!!! And so do you Mary!!! Cheers!!

Mary link

5/2/2012 08:58:10 am

Thank you so much for your comment, Denise.
I can't express how grateful I am for the support you and Liz have extended to me. It is awesome to read your blog comment about Muffy jumping onto couches!! How encouraging!! So great to hear your 3 are doing wonderfully with the extra care. You rock, too, Denise!!!
~Mary

liz thoresen link

5/3/2012 07:16:11 am

Denise... I love this story too.... next life: I am coming back as one of your pets. I have never met you but you have to be one of the kindest souls who exists in this universe. I agree about animals appreciating our protection and never forgetting that care and love we extend. xo

Rudy Zapf link

5/7/2012 01:31:55 am

Mary,
As you know, I don't keep up with FB or linked-in, but I just saw your post about Daphne. First of all, my heart goes out to both of you for having to experience such a sudden change in your lives. Second, thank you for sharing this with us. It is good to be reminded of what a great and constant blessing our beloved pets are in our lives. They add so much joy and flavour. Your '12 Things' brings that truth home with few words but much wisdom.
I LOVE the photo of you & Daphne at the top of the page. You both look so happy. Thanks for posting, and our love goes out to Daphne!

Mary link

5/7/2012 04:15:58 am

Rudy,
Thank you so much for your comment, insight and support.
Glad you enjoyed the "12 Things" I've learned from Daphne.
I will tell Daphne that you send your love!

Create With Joy link

5/12/2012 02:23:01 pm

What a great post Mary! I'm sorry to hear of your dear dog Daphne's loss of sight, but I am so happy to know that she is blessed with a mom like you!

Thanks for inspiring us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy! :-)

Create With Joy link

5/13/2012 11:37:39 am

Well, Mary, you are on my list of most inspiring bloggers - congratulations once more for being featured at Inspire Me Monday at

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com

Dawn Paoletta link

5/14/2012 12:05:11 pm

What a blessing. I actually did not even notice in the picture that one of Daphne's eyes was closed (blind) until I saw the painting. I just saw two sweet faces smiling! I am over from Inspire Me Monday- I love your list of 12! You and Daphne are a blessing!