Okay, so she's not as exotic as a blind Shepherd from Afghanistan, but at least she isn't another blind Beagle from Georgia! No, she's a blind Beagle from Washington state.
This is Carmel from Gig Harbor, and with her are Shirley L. and James C. from Portland, Oregon, wonderful supporters of the ranch who kindly drove Carmel out to us yesterday.
Carmel's owner was going through some difficult times and could no longer afford to provide for her or get her the medical care she needed for her eyes. Carmel's vet talked with a veterinary ophthalmologist in Olympia, Washington, who recommended they contact us about placing Carmel at the sanctuary. So after talking with the owner and the vet, we agreed to take Carmel.
Typically we don't take dogs and cats from private individuals, because we try to reserve our very limited space for when shelters and rescue groups call us about a disabled animal who has no other options. Usually that's the last call they're going to make for the animal. We have made exceptions, though, in cases where we're convinced the owner has already tried everything possible and where medical care is clearly needed. When we saw the first photos that Carmel's owner emailed us, we winced looking at those solid gray eyes.
Shirley and James picked up Carmel on Monday and kept her at their house for us until they could get to the ranch. After Carmel arrived at their home, Shirley emailed to say, "She is one SWEET girl!!!!"
Just before we took the photo of Shirley and James with Carmel, I used our Tono-Pen to measure the intraocular pressure in Carmel's eyes. I got consistent readings in the upper 80s (defined as millimeters of mercury, or mmHg) in both eyes. Normal eye pressure in a dog is generally in the 15-25 mmHg, so this is incredibly high. In fact, the readings I got were even a bit higher than we had in blind Briggs, and we knew how painful his eyes were. (However, I never quite trust my own IOP readings until our vet in Helena, Dr. Brenda Culver, validates them with her own Tono-Pen!)
Carmel sees Brenda early next week, and meanwhile, she is on pain medication for her eyes. Like all of these incredibly stoic animals, the discomfort she must feel certainly doesn't affect her disposition.
She has settled right into the routine here, making herself at home in our house and exploring the yard. Poor Briggs was so excited (again) to see a new girl arrive at the ranch, but alas -- like all the others before her -- Carmel has kept her distance from the teeter-tottering, overly eager Beagle from Georgia.
thank you so much for taking carmel. she is a sweetie and i know how much care she will get being on the ranch. she seems to just fit right in (:
Posted by: Kristine Soden | June 02, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Welcome to the ranch, Carmel! You are a little cutie! Thanks to all involved in getting you to the ranch.
Posted by: Nina | May 31, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I remember when Alayne came down with "Daschund-itis" - does she now have "Beagle-itis" also?
For the Beagle/Daschund count, does Widget get counted in both categories? Although she probably identifies far more with her Beagle parentage.
Welcome Carmel! You will have so much love, care, and little buddies (as well as human friends), you will think you hit the doggie lottery - and you'll be right! :-)
Posted by: Heidi & the kitties | May 30, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Mi casa tu casa.....thats the saying in spanish and you are the perfect meaning for that sentence and as long as the supporters step up and help you financially which is the easy part of the equation then all these wonderful children of a better god can have a place to call home.
I simply can not find a better way to thank you for all you do except help out with financial means.
I truly wish i could do more
Posted by: Mehdi | May 30, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Shirley & James, thank you for the time, money, travel, love, care ... the list goes on ... that you have contributed. When these particular instances occur, it hurts me (tears and all) to think that I can't take them all or give them all the money they need to be taken care of by another. But with many others like you helping, I know it makes an enormous dent in what can be a cruel world. As a reward, it can also make us feel so much better knowing that a difference was made to several, small or big, furry lives and this is exactly what you have accomplished. Kudos and the best of wishes to you both!
Posted by: Rosemary | May 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
LIke I said about Shep.. what's one more. It's very kind of you both to take this pretty girl in. She will love her new digs.
Posted by: Debbie | May 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Poor Briggs :( lol Do the Beagles outnumber the Dachshund yet?
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | May 30, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Wow,
an other beagle !
What are the beagle/doxie comparison numbers now ?
Posted by: Kylie Payeur | May 30, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Poor baby! Thanks guys for once again opening your heart and your home!
Posted by: Debbie | May 30, 2008 at 06:17 AM
What a cutie! I'm glad that Carmel has a new loving home, it's obvious she was loved by her owner and I'm sure her owner was overwhelmed to have you agree to take her. Welcome Carmel!
Posted by: Jen | May 30, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Oh dear, what a lucky girl! But what is this about Beagles, would this be "coincedence" or is it something like with the Appaloosas? I wonder....
A BIG hug for Briggs, poor fella ;-)
Posted by: Jessica, NL | May 30, 2008 at 01:39 AM
Welcome home, sweet Carmel! Thanks to Steve, Alayne & Dr Culver, you'll be feeling much better in no time at all.
Thank you, Shirley and James, for taking care of Carmel and driving her to Montana.
Another angel has reached paradise!:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | May 30, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I can't thank you for what you did she will have a great life.
Posted by: Kathy Soden | May 30, 2008 at 12:42 AM
What a wonderful thing you have done for Carmel and her family! Thank you so much for all you do to rescue and make life wonderful for animals. You are am amazing group! Kathy and her daughter are so grateful and relieved.
Patsi
Posted by: Patsi Robison | May 29, 2008 at 10:48 PM