Alayne and I had just finished feeding the dogs yesterday evening when I looked over in the living room and saw this scene -- that's blind Callie on the left, sharing the cot with her friend blind Kenai.
You'll notice the eyes look very different. Callie is blind from progressive retinal atrophy, so her pupils are completely dilated to let as much light in as possible. The glow you're seeing is from the flash bouncing off the retina in the back of the eye. (Regular blog readers will remember seeing Callie's "glow" from earlier photos.) Kenai, on the other hand, is blind from cataracts, which is why you're seeing the light reflect off the white lens in each eye.
This scene reminded me that Callie has a thing for big dogs ... she loves curling up with them, sleeping next to them on cots, or just hanging out next to them. Now, we have lots of smaller dogs here, like Widget and Goldie and the rest of the Dachshund brigade, but Callie seems to prefer the big dogs like Kenai (who tips the scales at 100 pounds). We'll often find Callie also snuggled up next to blind Helen, our 105-lb Rottie. She also loves grooming them, as I showed in a post from last November.
I know "big" is relative when you're a Dachshund, but this plump little girl definitely likes her big friends.
(Click on photo for larger image.)
All involved are so wonderful caring for animals with disabilities. You can tell by the way they follow each of you around they are happy. I'm so sorry about Claude, so young and so beautiful. That is the part that is tough to deal with.
Posted by: Rita | February 06, 2007 at 03:30 PM
What a cuddly pair of cuties! Another adorable "Kodak moment"!!
Posted by: Nina | January 30, 2007 at 08:13 AM
Awesome picture!!!
Posted by: Laura Whale | January 30, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Oh, how I love this photo! My mother sent me the link to your website/blog and I've been sitting here, reading the archives. My oldest daughter and I have a heart for the "special needs" dogs. Our Halo is a mini double dapple dachshund with microophthalmia (adopted from Hearts United for Animals). She will sit and groom our great dane! We've also had a paralyzed dachshund who had a set of wheels and was in diapers. Bless you for all you do for these incredible animals.
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | January 29, 2007 at 02:37 PM
I love this shot of two pals sharing some cuddle time.
It's a riot how Callie loves to groom! It makes sense that she would like the big dogs, there's more landscape to clean.
Callie's keeping the ranch clean, one dog at a time.
Posted by: Leilani | January 29, 2007 at 10:42 AM
I saw a short expo of your sanctuary on the evening news today. I was very touched specifically because I just adopted a blind bunny a week ago. Her name is Velvet-Sky and I love her so much! Her eyes look different too and one of them may have to be surgically removed (hopeffully not) I had two bunnies and wanted a disabled bunny. I adopted Velvet-Sky throught House Rabbit Society. (rabbit.org)
Posted by: Candice Silsby | January 29, 2007 at 03:44 AM
What a great pic! Callie knows who has the most body heat! Smart girl. It really looks like they are posing for this shot.
Big hugs to all,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | January 29, 2007 at 01:42 AM
Your story on the Today Show was great! Your mission and work are inspiring!!! Thank you for all of your hard work to help these special animals!!! I look forward to visiting your farm one day.
Renae
Posted by: Renae Hawkins | January 29, 2007 at 12:45 AM