It was 9 p.m. tonight and Alayne and I were sitting on the front steps of the house, enjoying the cool evening air after an unusually hot spring day (in the 80s!). We had just finished dinner, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and we were relishing a few minutes of quiet time in the fading light. I was enjoying a cold beer called, appropriately enough, Black Dog Ale, when our blind black Lab Evelyn walked around the corner from the other side of the house. She must have heard us talking and came around for some loving. I made all over her for a few minutes and then she walked off.
The next thing I knew, Evelyn was standing in front of me again, holding a tennis ball in her mouth. She dropped it at my feet, then stepped back about ten feet and stood there staring at me, bouncing up and down with anticipation. I picked up the ball and tossed it towards her. The ball rattled around between her feet, she grabbed it with her mouth, and brought it right back to me. She flipped it at me with her mouth, then jumped back several feet, waiting for the next toss.
Because we see these animals every day, we usually don't even notice their disabilities. To us, each of them in their own way seems perfectly 'normal.' But tonight, watching this sweet black Lab with no eyes in her head still want to play a game of fetch ... well, it gave Alayne and me a lump in our throats. This was something Evelyn had obviously done countless times before when she was younger and could see. She clearly loved this game, and it didn't occur to her that because she was now totally blind she couldn't play it any longer.
So Evelyn and I played fetch with the tennis ball dozens of times tonight. She never wanted to quit. I was the one who finally said, "Honey, it's time to go in!" Bless her little heart.
The light outside was too dim to take a photo while we were playing fetch, so I brought Evelyn into my office afterwards and took this picture.
OMGosh, this was such a sweet blog entry. Totally got teary. I love that they don't know they are disabled and that you encouraged their ignorance. Thank you.
Posted by: Mika | May 19, 2006 at 03:41 PM
What great teachers animals are for us! No matter what happens in their lives, they carry on. Evelyn feels good & wants to share that with those she loves & give her love. It's amazing that she found the tennis ball & played fetch with you! She is amazing & a very happy girl. Another happy camper at the RDR, which shows what TLC can do.
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | May 17, 2006 at 01:49 AM
Look at that happy face! She obviously loved the game. Another tears-in-my-eyes story.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | May 16, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Evelyn has healed so well from her surgery almost a month ago!
She looks wonderful and quite happy! Probably learning new dance steps too. :-)
We should take notes from her that a mere game of fetch induces happiness.
Posted by: Leilani | May 16, 2006 at 07:46 AM
What a terrific note about Evelyn. Yes, she must've played fetch lots of times. Thanks to you, Steve, and Alayne, for focusing on these wonderful animals.
Posted by: Roz | May 16, 2006 at 06:31 AM
Evelyn I am so proud of you and to see you smiling on this picture makes me just so happy! I am so glad you found such a great place! And you still can play fetch!!!
Love and hugs from Phoenix!
Posted by: Susan | May 15, 2006 at 11:08 PM