Lenny actually has more fans on the Internet than I do, so I thought I’d post the report here.
He was my gift to myself for surviving a miserable divorce from a miserable person. I was ready for joy in my life and Lenny was it! The moment the ink was dry on the decree, my friend Deanna and I took Barkis to a rescue fair and found the Most Perfect Puppy Ever.
Lenny welcomed my new life, my yummy new husband, and scores of admirers. He became That Dog–the one everyone wants to hold and cuddle.
A couple of weeks ago, we noticed Lenny running into things and acting confused. His pupils didn’t contract. The vet referred us to a specialist to see if he has a brain tumor, which is the worst thing ever. The specialist didn’t think it was a tumor at all–but Lenny has gone blind.
It might be due to something called Sudden Acquired Retinal Deterioration. It’s not fatal. It’s just a thing. Lenny’s taking it in stride, adapting better every day. And loving life as always.
Lenny won’t let this ruin the things he loves–treats, sniffing, napping, and cuddling. Like the painter Claude Monet, he’ll keep on going: “I see less and less.. .Nevertheless, I always paint at the times of day most propitious for me, as long as my paint tubes and brushes are not mixed up…I will paint almost blind, as Beethoven composed completely deaf.”
Shakespeare wrote, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”
14 Responses
Oh Susan, one of the best parts of visiting was being escorted around the grounds by Lenny and Barkis – the other boy, I think it was Fisher would stand and look at me like “ok, over here stranger!” He would wait, then walk off once he was satisfied I wasn’t wandering off unsupervised. Our critters add so much to life <3
Oh Susan, one of the best parts of visiting was being escorted around the grounds by Lenny and Barkis – the other boy, I think it was Fisher would stand and look at me like “ok, over here stranger!” He would wait, then walk off once he was satisfied I wasn’t wandering off unsupervised. Our critters add so much to life <3
My 12 year old Yorkie, DOODLE (aka Yorkie Doodle Dandy) has been blind for six years…diabetes (insulin twice daily) and cataracts caused it.
She is INCREDIBLE like your pup.
She knows how many stairs are involved to get inside the house, up from and down into the basement, where “her room” and “her Penny pen” are, how high to reach for chewy treats, etc. She also remembers how many steps up to the porch are involved when we are at my daddy’s home in SC…and the way to “her room” there!!
Blows my mind!!
My 13 year old Yorkie, Mimi (aka Mimi Merlot McKeown) is blind in one eye and failing in the other. She’s adept as well!!
Adapting…something they do do much better than we do. They don’t mean about the losses; they enjoy their moments! Nose runs into something? Smell. Identify if possible. Remember. Move on!!
Good luck and enjoy the new puppy path.
My 12 year old Yorkie, DOODLE (aka Yorkie Doodle Dandy) has been blind for six years…diabetes (insulin twice daily) and cataracts caused it.
She is INCREDIBLE like your pup.
She knows how many stairs are involved to get inside the house, up from and down into the basement, where “her room” and “her Penny pen” are, how high to reach for chewy treats, etc. She also remembers how many steps up to the porch are involved when we are at my daddy’s home in SC…and the way to “her room” there!!
Blows my mind!!
My 13 year old Yorkie, Mimi (aka Mimi Merlot McKeown) is blind in one eye and failing in the other. She’s adept as well!!
Adapting…something they do do much better than we do. They don’t mean about the losses; they enjoy their moments! Nose runs into something? Smell. Identify if possible. Remember. Move on!!
Good luck and enjoy the new puppy path.
Totally get it. My rescue Scout could be his brother and helps me get through those hard days
Totally get it. My rescue Scout could be his brother and helps me get through those hard days
I’ll never forget the day you adopted this remarkable little guy. He cracked me up with his insane personality and I love following him on FB and Instagram. I’m sad that he has gone blind but happy to know that it is not a brain tumor and that you will experience his daily dose of happiness for many years. He will adapt, probably much better than us humans would. XOXOXO
I’ll never forget the day you adopted this remarkable little guy. He cracked me up with his insane personality and I love following him on FB and Instagram. I’m sad that he has gone blind but happy to know that it is not a brain tumor and that you will experience his daily dose of happiness for many years. He will adapt, probably much better than us humans would. XOXOXO
Our Charlie has diabetes and has been blind many years. He still wanders around the yard (2.5 acres) and finds his way back. He has done great for many years but now he has an enlarged heart and is slowing down a bit. Still likes to cuddle and explore. Charlie just turned 13.
Our Charlie has diabetes and has been blind many years. He still wanders around the yard (2.5 acres) and finds his way back. He has done great for many years but now he has an enlarged heart and is slowing down a bit. Still likes to cuddle and explore. Charlie just turned 13.
Our wonderful Rocky had spontaneous detachment of the retinas in both eyes at age 4 and adapted so well he is now 14 blind and pretty deaf but still such a wonderful companion
Our wonderful Rocky had spontaneous detachment of the retinas in both eyes at age 4 and adapted so well he is now 14 blind and pretty deaf but still such a wonderful companion
Sunday morning, June 24, 2018
Susan,
I thought I had replied to another post you made on Goodreads late last week about Lenny. However, since this one is in a different vein, I suppose that’s why I don’t see my comments about Lenny. However, I may have problems w/my vision in the future, since I suffer from Neurofibromatosis.;which can cause my losing my sight. This would be horrific as “audible” versions of books would be very hard for me to comprehend, since having suffered the catastrophic injury to my brain, when I fell back on September 8, 1995. I still suffer from short-term memory and it would be harder for me to grasp hearing a book; instead of reading same.
Sunday morning, June 24, 2018
Susan,
I thought I had replied to another post you made on Goodreads late last week about Lenny. However, since this one is in a different vein, I suppose that’s why I don’t see my comments about Lenny. However, I may have problems w/my vision in the future, since I suffer from Neurofibromatosis.;which can cause my losing my sight. This would be horrific as “audible” versions of books would be very hard for me to comprehend, since having suffered the catastrophic injury to my brain, when I fell back on September 8, 1995. I still suffer from short-term memory and it would be harder for me to grasp hearing a book; instead of reading same.