Last Thursday I drove to our vet clinic in Helena to get Buddy and Jake, the two blind dogs who arrived from Nashville on November 6th. After picking them up at the airport in Bozeman that day, I had taken them to our vets for medical checks, eye exams, and blood panels. After a week at the clinic, it was finally time to bring them home to the ranch. We put them in our isolation cottage and yard for their first few days here, to give them a chance to acclimate themselves and get acquainted with us.
Between their stay in the private boarding kennel in Nashville and the time spent at our vet clinic, we figured they had already completed a two-week quarantine period after getting out of Metro Animal Control in Nashville. (We typically isolate our new arrivals for two weeks for health reasons.) So today, on a quiet Sunday, we were ready to let them out to start exploring and meeting some of the other animals.
Alayne and I walked them over to a large 1/2 acre (.20 hec) yard that sits between our house and the various yards around Widget's House, our main dog building. I took the photo above of Alayne with Buddy on the left and Jake on the right this afternoon. I managed to get those adorable simultaneous head tilts by making ridiculous high-pitched squeaking noises from behind the camera. (Alayne does not respond to those noises.)
Our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver of Montana Veterinary Specialists, determined they are both blind from a retinal atrophy. In addition, Buddy's right retina is starting to detach, which Brenda thought she detected with the slit-lamp and confirmed with an ultrasound of his eye. But at this point both dogs have comfortable eyes -- their intraocular pressures (IOP) were normal -- and there's nothing we need to do besides continue to monitor them. Down the road we may see other changes, like cataracts developing, but for right now they're fine. Their blood work, Brenda said, looked great.
The boys had a wonderful time this afternoon exploring their new yard and doing the usual "getting-to-know-you" introductions across the fence. Here's Buddy meeting that other southern hound dog, Trooper from Louisiana -- please note how high both tails went up:
Since Trooper can see, all the blind dogs at Widget's House were hounding him (so to speak) for a full report on the new arrivals -- looks, size, breed, coloring, etc. The blind Poodle sisters from Texas, Molly and Priscilla, had only one question on their mind: "Just how cute are these new boys?" (They might be getting a little bored with their two-timing Cajun boyfriend.)
After some more introductions at the fence, off they went to check things out:
Here's a close-up of Jake:
Both dogs are very, very skinny, so we've got some serious weight gain to work on with them. This next shot gives you a better idea of how thin Jake really is. Yikes, look at those ribs:
And this one will show you how skinny Buddy is (click on image for a larger version):
That's blind Babe from Washington state in the background on the left, and Trooper is on the right -- no doubt nervously keeping an eye on the potential competition in the yard next door.
Both dogs are very sweet, and as you can see in this last photo, Jake was ready to give some kisses during the photo session with Alayne:
Thanks to the efforts of Simone R. in Washington, D.C., and the attorneys in D.C. and Nashville, these blind boys finally got the chance to start their new life here in Montana.
Utter sweetnes!
I am so thrilled for Buddy and Jake; wouldn't be at all surprised if these handsome boys get adopted. Before that though...pup protein shakes...yum!!
Posted by: Boundforglory | November 18, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Great update on the boys! Can't wait to meet them next year if they aren't already adopted. Boy, they certainly are skinny--can't wait for them to have some routine and care at RDR!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | November 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Just another wonderful story! I'm so happy these dogs have such a wonderful new home!
Posted by: Mia | November 17, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Thanks so much for telling and showing us these guy's introduction to the ranch. I've been reading the archived blog entries and just read one the other day that described how you and Alayne decide which dog goes where. It's so interesting to me how you blend all these dogs into a large pack (or sub packs !!) I'm curious about so many things like, how often there are disagreements. Sure wish I could come visit. Ah.....maybe one day !!
And how is Miss Samantha doing ??
Posted by: Lynn | November 17, 2008 at 12:43 PM
SO glad to see the new boys at the RDR! Great pictures. Looking forward to seeing them thrive. Congratulations all!
Posted by: Margaret | November 17, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I'm so excited for Jake & Buddy to finally be in your complete care & begin their new adventure at RDR. They are both such handsome guys! As soon as they get some weight on them Trooper better watch out cuz Priscilla and Molly just might be swayed to start flirting with them.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | November 17, 2008 at 11:58 AM
What a wonderful picture-story - and a happy ending after all the work it took to earn it. And now, in addition, to a beautiful setting, these cuties get to eat to their hearts' content - or close anyway. Many happy days ahead for these good-lookin' albeit skinny guys.
Posted by: Angela | November 17, 2008 at 10:58 AM
What happy boys they are - so lucky to have found all the right people to put them with you folks at the ranch.
They are ALMOST as cute as sweet Margaret :)
Posted by: Cheryl | November 17, 2008 at 09:10 AM
2 BLIND HOUND DOGS WITH THE BLUES
OH WANT SOMEONE COME TO OUR RESCUE!SADDER THAN A COUNTRY SONG
UNTIL ROLLING DOG & SOME KIND-HEARTED ATTORNEYS CAME ALONG
WE ARE NO LONGER STUCK IN MUSIC CITY WE ARE SAFE IN MONTANA SINGING THIS LITTLE DITTY!THANK YOU LORD FOR GETTING US HOME, WE KNEW WE BELONGED HERE ALL ALONG!
WE'LL HELP STEVE & ALAYNE RUN THIS RANCH! THANKS EVERYONE FOR GIVING US A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mary Young | November 17, 2008 at 08:57 AM
What gorgeous boys! Such sweet, tender faces...I am in love! If I didn't have a house full of animals already, I'd come steal them both from you. Thank you for rescuing them and making their lives so wonderful.
Posted by: Debbie | November 17, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Thank you, Steve, for the update! I look forward to many more and to watching Buddy and Jake put on some much needed weight (with your TLC and plenty of good food, I'm positive those ribs will disappear from sight very soon).
Please give them a big, big hug for me.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | November 17, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Yay for the blind boys! Welcome to the ranch guys - yer really gonna love it here!
(Steve - all of the dogs always seem so happy. Do you ever have problems with the dogs being aggressive or territorial - esp for some of them who've had a rough time before getting to the ranch?)
Posted by: Karen | November 16, 2008 at 10:58 PM
What a terrific story on these beautiful boys. I am so glad they are now safe at RDR. Thanks for all that you do!
Posted by: Kristin | November 16, 2008 at 09:52 PM