Here's a photo I took this afternoon in our living room of Ellie May, the little blind-and-deaf Cocker Spaniel who came to us a couple of weeks ago. Her eyes were chronically painful and we had to have them removed, but she has recovered just fine from the surgery. The sutures are still in and will be taken out in another week. We picked up Ellie May the day after surgery at our vet clinic in Helena. From the moment she came back, she hasn't left my side.
As I write this, she's at my feet under the desk. In fact, she stays so close to me here in my office that I have to be very careful when I roll my chair back, because she's frequently sleeping right up against the wheels. Even though there are plush dog beds on the floor, she'd rather lie on the linoleum next to the chair than be three feet away on a comfortable bed. Thus I've taken to pulling the dog beds right up alongside the chair to keep her on something soft.
I had to put her on the living room chair for the photo because I couldn't get a decent shot of her otherwise; she's always sacked out on the floor underneath my desk or trying to be right next to me. The only way we could get her to sit still in the chair long enough for the photo was the old "hold the cookie high" trick, where we waved a dog treat back and forth above her nose. The minute she thought the cookie was gone, so was she, climbing back down to get back to me.
Alayne said that this morning, while I was cleaning a poopy crate in one of the dog cottages, Ellie May thought I had gone into my office. Alayne heard her barking excitedly, and discovered Ellie May in here looking up at the empty chair, thinking I was in it and happy to have found me. Her tiny stub of a tail was wiggling away.
Hey, when you're blind and deaf, you have to rely on your nose, and sometimes it can give you false positives! But most of the time her nose works great, and she follows me around the house just using her sense of smell. (Yes, I shower frequently!)
Tonight when I was cooking dinner, Ellie May was lying on the floor in the kitchen, so close I had to keep stepping over her to get to the sink or to the fridge. When we sat down to eat, she followed us over to the table and parked herself there. Wherever I am, she is. She doesn't have separation anxiety -- she doesn't get upset and start chewing or doing anything destructive in my absence. She'll look for me and if she finally realizes I'm not in the house, she'll simply give up and wait until I return. Then she's glued to me.
What's interesting about this is that she had spent her entire life, as far as we know, living with a woman, so we expected her to bond with Alayne. But she chose me, and now I have a minion of my own!
Ellie May is adorable! I have a cocker myself, Cassie, and was just given the news that both of her eyes have to go too. *think Ellie May plus a few black spots.*
I am absolutely terrified. How will she react, how will she feel? Will she feel betrayed that ''Momma took her eyes''. How has Ellie handled the surgery and change? Back to her same old self?
Posted by: Valerie | April 13, 2013 at 06:38 PM
Thanks for sending me to read about her via facebook! She sounds JUST like my Keller! The loyalty my blind and deaf foster Cocker Spaniel devotes to me is heartwarming. Sounds like you've got the same! We are their eyes and ears, and they are very grateful for us!
Posted by: Amanda Berjeski | February 27, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Steve,
I am about in tears over Ellie and her devotion to you. She's finally found someone who she trusts and she knows loves her. That's all she needs. Bless you.
Posted by: Patti Mynatt | December 18, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Your animals are so blessed to have a home with you. You have given each and every one of them a new life. Bless you both.
Posted by: Kathy | December 13, 2007 at 08:18 AM
You have such a cute posse! Who needs those useless eyes anyway! I'm so glad she's healthy and happy! She seems to see with her heart anyway.
Posted by: Sherrie | December 12, 2007 at 05:55 PM
cute, charming, loyal. Yep, she's one in a minion!
(Sorry. couldn't resist.)
Posted by: Lisa Simonds | November 01, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Ellie looks so much happier and healthier than she did in her first photo. And she gave her little, loving heart to Steve - - how sweet! It reminds me of the small cat I inherited several years ago. She turned out to be a man-loving feline who is absolutely crazy about my very dear friend.
Posted by: Moon Rani | November 01, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Steve's new title: Minion Master II.
It's about time!
Posted by: Linda | November 01, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Ellie Mae is such a precious little dog. I'm so happy she is with you both. I, too, had a blind cock-a-poo..and I just loved her. She passed away a year or so ago after having her 12 years. It seems like part of my family is gone. Give Ellie Mae a big hug for me. And God Bless u both for caring for our precious animals.
Posted by: Rosemary Furnell | November 01, 2007 at 10:38 AM
What a sweet girl. I'm glad to see it's pay back time for all those times you pick on poor Oscar when Alyanes away.
Posted by: gayle | November 01, 2007 at 09:01 AM
Another wonderful ending!! So cute!!!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | October 31, 2007 at 11:52 PM
What a sweet little girl! Glad to hear Ellie May is doing so well after her surgery. Congrats on your first minion, Steve! Happy Halloween to you and the rest of the RDR gang.
Posted by: Kristen D. | October 31, 2007 at 07:48 PM
SO adorable - what a sweetheart!
Posted by: m | October 31, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Everyone should have their own minion and it appears you have been selected by one of the cutest. Congrats! Does she just swoon if you take her on your lap to cuddle?
Posted by: Mircat | October 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Hi every one, Happy Halloween. Well, Steve , looks like you have your own adorable shadow!! What a great story . Ellie knows good people!!! Steve is a KEEPER, Alayne, he cooks!!!!!!! So happy to hear Ellie is doing so well. Joe is a FAR better cook than I. Take care. Give Ellie a big hug from her fans and maybe an extra cookie !!!!! Bye
Posted by: Judy and Joe Taylor | October 31, 2007 at 10:36 AM
YAY! Steve finally has a minion of his own! HA HA
Posted by: Christine Baltazar | October 31, 2007 at 10:06 AM
I have such a love for Ellie May, which I am sure so many people do. I am happy for her, but still a little sad, that her life has been so hard before she arrived at the Ranch. Thank God she has you !
Posted by: Lahna Zandi | October 31, 2007 at 10:05 AM
I'm SO glad Ellie May is doing well and has found....YOU, Steve!
Now you and Alayne have minion stories to share!
Happy Halloween....I hope your day is filled with all treats and a few fun animal tricks.
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 31, 2007 at 09:16 AM
It must feel nice to finally have your own fan club! She's so adorable!
Posted by: jen | October 31, 2007 at 09:08 AM
She is just the sweetest thing ever :)
Posted by: Jenn | October 31, 2007 at 09:01 AM
She is so cute!! This is great it's pay back time for all those times you picked on poor Oscar when Alayne is away. You finnaly have your "buddy"
Posted by: gayle | October 31, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Ellie May knows a great person when she smells him! She was in alot of pain when she was with a woman...she came to you & you got her out of her pain. (This is just a guess on my part, but who knows?) She's a happy camper, & I'm so glad that she's no longer in pain! She's such a cutie pie!
Hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | October 31, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Aren't you just thrilled at how she has adjusted from the sad, frightened little girl to your newest groupie? Thank you for making room in your home and your hearts for her!
Posted by: Debbie | October 31, 2007 at 07:46 AM
Lucky you, what a precious little doll she is.
Posted by: prose | October 31, 2007 at 05:57 AM
She looks so sweet! It only seems fair that Steve has finally got a minion of his own!;-)
A big hug to both from Italy!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 31, 2007 at 05:24 AM
The pic of Ellie May nearly broke my heart. I don't know why, but the thought of her in all that pain for so long and now leading a new life in a new place, she has chosen what she feels secure with and that is you Steve.
Plus you NEED your own minion. Alayne's Minion Positions are full, so perhaps a break away group to keep them on their toes?
Congratulations, and thankyou for taking in Ellie May. For caring for her and giving her a wonderful quality of life.
Posted by: Kae | October 31, 2007 at 01:13 AM