Here's our little old gal who arrived over the weekend ... Ellie May the blind-and-deaf Cocker Spaniel. Ellie May's owner just died in a small town here in Montana, and Robin M., the personal representative or executor of the estate, called to ask if we could take in this sweet girl. Given her age and disabilities, Ellie May was not a candidate for a local shelter. The dog's vet had told Robin that she should simply euthanize Ellie May, which she did not want to do. Robin told me over the phone, "This little dog is still full of life, how could I do such a thing?"
So Robin drove Ellie May out to the ranch. After they got out of the car, I kneeled down to pet Ellie May ... and that's when I noticed her eyes. Oh, my. They looked awful. Both were red and inflamed. Her right eye bulged. Her left one didn't look much better. I realized this old girl had been living with painful eyes for years. I asked Robin if the vet had given her any medications or said anything about the condition of Ellie May's eyes. No, she said, the vet hadn't mentioned anything at all. I was astounded.
I explained what I was seeing -- the vascularization, the bulging -- and what I thought it indicated. Here's what the right eye looks like. I told Robin that if the eyes are as painful as I think they are, our vets might end up having to do surgery and remove them ... but this poor dog needed treatment, one way or the other. Robin, bless her heart, wrote out a check right then and there to pay for Ellie May's medical care.
We worried how Ellie May would do. She's probably 14, her owner had just passed away, she was uprooted from the only life she knew, and suddenly she was at the ranch. Oh yes, and she can't see or hear a thing. She was very anxious her first day, and we cuddled her a lot. She trembled in our arms, and Alayne and I would take turns holding her, but after a couple of hours she started gaining confidence. By that first evening she was eager to have treats and she wolfed down her dinner. We were relieved, because there's no better sign of coping than that!
She was quick to find her way around the house, and then the yard. Ellie May would follow either me or Alayne wherever we went, and she never wanted to be separated from us ... but by today she was already snoozing on her own in the living room. She wags her little stump of a tail whenever she realizes we're close by, and this afternoon she was even rolling around on the living room sofa.
I called our small animal vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, today to discuss Ellie May and get her scheduled for an eye exam, blood panels, and the complete geriatric work-up. We're taking her in on Thursday to see Brenda, and we will make further medical decisions based on what Brenda finds.
Meanwhile, we're trying to keep Ellie May as comfortable as we can, and she seems to be settled into her routine. Today she let me know when she needed to go outside to potty, which just amazed me. Here she is, completely blind and deaf and old, and yet she's figured out already -- in just two days -- how to find the front door and communicate she has to go pee. A short while later, I found her on the front step, waiting to come back inside. She's one smart little girl.
(Click on photos for larger image.)
As Alayne said on television: "Robin showed the best of the human spirit." Miss Ellie May came to the right place. We look forward to the updates.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | October 18, 2007 at 02:27 AM
"Ellie May" is tuff old lady. She is so little and she does not look that old. How can a vet not medicate that eye or bring attention to immediate treatment. I have fallen in Love with Ellie May. Please keep us posted on what they can do to help her.
Posted by: Lahna Zandi | October 17, 2007 at 07:55 PM
Ellie May, what a great name for a dignified, elderly gal. Keep us posted on her eye condition. That girl deserves a painfree life. Thanks to Steve and Alayne for caring so much. And a big Thanks to Robin!
Posted by: Shelli Smith | October 17, 2007 at 06:50 PM
God bless you for taking this old lady in. Looks like she will be rolling in clover during her golden years. Hope the eye situation is not as bad as you are thinking (wagging stubby tails surely means not too much pain, right?)
Posted by: Lisa | October 17, 2007 at 05:54 PM
What a precious old girl!!! Hugs to Robin for not taking the vet's advice re: euthanization. (My old spaniel mix girl lived to be shy of 17 years old!!) She found the right spot for Ellie May...here at the ranch where she will thoroughly enjoy her retirement, hopefully pain-free after Thursday's appointment.
Posted by: Nina | October 17, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Clay,
One of the nicest dogs we ever had was old Sadie, adopted when she was about 14. She only had a year with us, but we made sure it was a very good year for her. She was such a gentle soul, blind, but with a fantastic nose.
Posted by: Bruce Small | October 17, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I'm so glad that Robin knew better than take that crazy vet's advice! Kudos to her for contacting the RDR for Ellie May! Sounds like she quickly learned that she is loved & has been put in a great place. Her former companion must have been too ill to realize how bad her eyes were. I hope all goes well with her visit to Dr. Culver to get her out of pain. Thanks so much, Steve & Alayne for making sure Ellie May felt secure & at home from the start. You're the finest kind!
Big hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | October 17, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Ellie May is so precious, and what a sweet name! A HUGE thank you to Steve, Alayne & Robin for caring and giving Ellie May a great retirement home.
Hope she will soon feel much better, without those painful, terrible-looking eyes!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 17, 2007 at 12:17 PM
That picture of Miss Ellie May's eye brought tears to mine! That just looks so painful! But now she is at RDR where she will have the best care possible and hopefully after Thursday, she will be free of pain. What a cutie!
Posted by: KCBORRS | October 17, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Welcome, sweet Ellie May! No worries now. Only happy days ahead. Steve and Alayne - You guys are simply the best.
Posted by: Linda | October 17, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Beside smart, she's beautiful! I'm sure glad Ellie May has a wonderful home for the rest of her years.
Posted by: Clay Hickman | October 17, 2007 at 10:15 AM
It seems strange to say this, but Ellie May may have been "lucky" in being blind and deaf, because she found her way to you. As a longtime volunteer at animal shelters, I know that many cats and dogs come in when their owners die, and because the animals too are old, they often aren't adopted. To readers of this blog, I say: please, when adopting, give an older animal a chance. The years they have left to share with you may be few in number, but they need you, and they already know how to be loving companions. Not all of us can do what Steve and Alayne do, but many of us can help out a non-disabled, just elderly pet in need of a home.
Posted by: Helen Rietz | October 17, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Gosh, I am SO GLAD Robin didn't listen to sweet adorable Ellie May's vet, it seems like he/she didn't give a "fig" about Ellie May, he/she was mainly interested in the "moola"!! Sighh!! Glad Ellie May is with y'all, and I hope she can get her eyes taken cared of, they look SOO PAINFUL!!! She sure has adjusted well with her new loving home smiles! :) HORRAYYY!!!
EMK
Posted by: Ellen M. Kays | October 17, 2007 at 09:41 AM
A HUGH hug and SINCERE gratitude to Robin for bringing Ellie May to RDR!
I'm sure her owner would have wanted her to enjoy life and be cared for in the best way possible.
Who else would notice and take action on Ellie May's eyes like Steve?
Who else but Steve and Alayne would hold and comfort Ellie May with their sweet energy assuring her she was safe?
They are busy but never too busy to comfort, care and love the animals.
Let us know the results from Dr. Culver; we hope her eyes feel much more comfortable soon.
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 17, 2007 at 09:27 AM
What a sweetie. And she is a smart little girl. Thanks for being such a good mom and dad to these wonderful animals.
Posted by: Jennie | October 17, 2007 at 09:07 AM
What a sweet heart!!!
Posted by: gayle | October 17, 2007 at 08:45 AM
What a sweet old girl! Those eyes sure do look painful; I'm thrilled you guys picked up on it so quickly. I know she will recover from losing her person much faster with your love and care! Thank you for all that you do!
Posted by: Debbie | October 17, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Thank you, Robin, for your incredible consideration for this old, deaf and blind, dog. Without your concern, she would be dead. (Perhaps that vet needs to go back to school for some remedial training in medicine and consideration.)
Welcome to RDR, Ellie May, and all the good times you'll still have years to enjoy. Thanks, Steve and Alayne, for taking her in.
Posted by: Janet | October 17, 2007 at 07:34 AM
What an amazing little lady! And an amazing BIG lady too, Robin M., in not taking that "advice", yuck.
Our grandma of 16 just had her teeth done yesterday, under very careful anaesthetic (in her vein and only when she needed some more) and she came through with flying colours! They told me to only give her a little food at the end of the day, but no way, she kept bugging me to Complain that she Had Missed a Course and would I please see to that??
So I hope that Ellie May does as well and probably is very relieved to be rid of those eyes, auch!
Posted by: Jessica, NL | October 17, 2007 at 05:53 AM
Oh Steve and Alayne, I have rescued many "Ellie May"s, infact one yesterday. When they come into care they break your heart, and you know that you have to be there for them.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou. From the bottom of my heart, that you took this girl. I look forward to hearing about her recovery from her painful eyes and seeing her become a firm member of the RDR.
Posted by: Kae | October 17, 2007 at 05:12 AM
That eye looks awful; poor, little thing. Please let us know what the vet says.
Posted by: Cora | October 17, 2007 at 02:06 AM
I love her! She's adorable. I have such a soft spot for the older ones! Good luck at the vet!
Posted by: LuAnn | October 17, 2007 at 12:45 AM
Wow! Thank you so much for giving this sweet old lady in, and giving her a chance to again be loved and happy, and hopefully soon, free from pain and discomfort. You guys rock!
Posted by: ColleenaMareena | October 17, 2007 at 12:14 AM