What was the very first thing we noticed when Gabe arrived home from the hospital Thursday evening? He started sniffing the ground the minute he came through the gate into the yard. We had never seen him smelling anything before ... because he couldn't. Alayne and I watched this blind boy walk around the back yard that evening, smelling everything underfoot -- with as many dogs as we have here, there are a lot of different scents to take in! -- and honestly, we almost teared up.
That's when it struck us just how much of his world the nasal tumor had taken from him. He had already lost his vision and most of his hearing, and then to lose his sense of smell -- so critical to a dog's ability to "know" his environment -- well, that had to be, in it's own way, a devastating disability too.
Wonderful friends of the ranch, Shirley L. and James C. from Portland, Oregon, kindly offered to pick up Gabe at Washington State University's vet hospital in Pullman and bring him out to us on Thursday. That saved us a 10-hour round trip -- thank you, Shirley and James!
In addition to seeing Gabe walk around on his first evening home, sniffing his new world, we could also tell from the look on his face that he was just a much happier dog. And no wonder! Not only can he breathe through his nose again, but all the fluid that was packed into his head and dammed up by the tumor is now gone. I can't imagine how much better he must feel.
Given the invasive nature of the surgery, we thought his head would look much worse post-operatively than it actually does. Here's a close-up of the surgery site:
Not too bad, is it? I took both these photos this afternoon. The hardest thing was trying to keep him far enough back to get photos; all he wants to do is nuzzle into us.
Because his sense of smell has returned, so has his appetite. Just like the other dogs now, Gabe starts getting excited at meal-time. But it's not the sound of the dishes being prepared that gets him going -- he's too deaf to hear it -- it's the smell of the food in the air that's getting him worked up!
We will be taking him back to WSU in a couple of weeks to begin his three-week course of radiation therapy. It's the radiation that will do the "clean-up" and get the rest of the microscopic cancer cells that the surgeons couldn't completely remove.
Meanwhile, we are just so happy to see Gabe wandering the yard, sniffing at the grass and trees and anything else his nose picks up!
I have a contribution going to you guys every month. And While I love getting the updates in the mail, could you please email the newsletter instead of mailing it? That's a few more cents that can go to food! Thanks
Posted by: helen abernathy | December 02, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Is this Heaven? No. Is this Iowa? No. Then it HAS to be Rollingdog Ranch!!!!! (think Field of Dreams)
Posted by: Wm. Hanley | December 03, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I am so happy to be back on the "regular monthly" donor list. Stories like this make it all worth while!! Keep up the good work. My monthly donation will not stop!!
Posted by: Barb Serrano | October 23, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Just a GREAT story!!!! I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Gabe to gain his ability to smell....! Sensory overload!
Posted by: Karen | October 15, 2009 at 06:01 PM
I love you guys! What a great story! And GO GO GO GABE!
Posted by: Stefan Sittig | October 01, 2009 at 04:03 PM
You guys are amazing -- what love and understanding for these fortunate animals. Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Patricia Rosenleaf | September 29, 2009 at 02:55 PM
You people are amazing and I wish there were so many more people doing such good deeds for our furry friends. Gabe is a lucky guy. Animals are so appreciative of kindness and caring, especially if they lived without it.
Here's to a long and happy life for Gabe.
Ing
Posted by: Ingrid Helfrich | September 27, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I have recently worked with and successfully placed a blind dog into it's forever home. I cannot stress how important it is that any dog be able to breathe correctly but also to scent. It is even more necessary for a blind dog who uses scent to help them navigate their world. Our blind girl taught us many things and she is living the good life. I'm so happy that Gabe's world is now a wonderful place for him to explore thanks to Rolling Dog Ranch.
Posted by: Jj | September 15, 2009 at 01:59 PM
I absolutely fell in love with that smiling face! What wonderful work you all do for all the fur kids--it's an honor to vote for RDR in the Shelter challenge. Let's get the $20,000! Thanks to Shirley & James for picking up this sweet Gabe. Please give him tummy tickles and hugs from me.
Posted by: Nancy Fedell | September 14, 2009 at 11:43 PM
This one of the happiest, happiest, happiest stories I have ever sobbed through. Gabe was given a second chance at enjoying life at one of the most wonderful places on Earth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping him feel better. His gorgeous, joyful face just makes my day.
Posted by: Kim | September 11, 2009 at 03:27 AM
I'm so happy for him. I know his world is so much sweeter now.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | September 11, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Such a nice happy ending
Posted by: gayle | September 09, 2009 at 04:27 PM
This is a wonderful story, and Gabe looks like a really sweet dog. Please keep us posted on his recovery!
Posted by: JC | September 09, 2009 at 02:26 PM
I'm so glad Gabe is better.
Had to laugh at the photo, though, with all those bars in the background. Who's the warden and who's the inmate? ;)
Posted by: Lynne Parker | September 09, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Roxie (the gopher-obsessed lab mix) and her owner think that's the best nose job we've ever seen. Roxie wishes Gabe many happy scent-filled days hanging out with his new pack (humans included of course), and perhaps even a whiff of gopher, raccoon, or other local varmints as Ovando may provide. Ah what sweet perfume to the discerning canine! C'est la joie de vivre! Gabe deserves no less.
Posted by: Roxie | September 09, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Gabe has stolen my heart... and now he can enjoy his life even more.... thank you for what you do
Posted by: Jen | September 08, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Thats great, now his world is open, I am so happy for him. Thanks you guys for all you 2 do.
Posted by: Vicky Humbarger | September 08, 2009 at 06:45 PM
I'm thrilled that Gabe is back at the RDR & can now Smell! What a fantastic bonus for him. That first pic of him says it all, he's one happy camper!
Thanks to Shirley & James for saving you that long drive to p.u. Gabe. That was so thoughtful of them. It's amazing how wonderful people come together to help out.
I don't think it will be anytime at all before Gabe's scar is not even noticable, & even so, that's a small price to pay for the bonus he got out of the surgery. Please give him some big hugs from me. I'm so glad he's home.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | September 08, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Thank you for all you two do for our animal family!
Posted by: Taz | September 08, 2009 at 05:12 PM
That's just one of the happiest stories ever so how come I'm crying?! I tried to wrap my head around the fact that Gabe had no world. How depressed he must have been. Now it's like a blind person being given sight. He has a world again. Gabe can at least smell his world and look what joy it has brought. What a beautiful and happy face! Blessing to all!
Posted by: Miranda | September 08, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Pass the kleenex.... Heck, pass the whole box my way! Hurrah for RDR....and giving Gabe a new life! Gabe, go out there and smell everything!!!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | September 08, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Oh my - just look how happy he is in the top photo!! That makes it all worthwhile!!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | September 08, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Look at that smile! It says it all!
Posted by: Leighsa | September 08, 2009 at 02:45 PM
It just doesn't get much better than this! That happy expression says it all. Let's have one more big celebration when the radiation is through and a very happy life, Gabe!
Posted by: Margaret | September 08, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Look at the happy face!!! I am inspired by these animals who go through so much, and I am inspired by you both who invest everything you can to allow them comfort and happiness!
xo
Posted by: Libby | September 08, 2009 at 11:42 AM
AH Gabe you look like such a happy baby now! - may you sniff to your heart's content - blessings and thanks to all of you who got him to a much better place. Happy sniffin sweet Gabe.
Posted by: Angela | September 08, 2009 at 11:24 AM
At a Boy Gabe!!! The Scar kind of helps him look like a Pirate dog.Thank you for the update. My day is better knowing he has rediscovered a new wonder in life.
Posted by: Eric | September 08, 2009 at 10:19 AM
The first picture of Gabe is certainly the happiest I've ever seen him! A new life has unfolded for him and all he knows is that the world smells...good and bad...beautiful!!!
Thank you for helping out with transportation Shirley and James!
Posted by: boundforglory | September 08, 2009 at 09:21 AM
I thought about it some more. We all have little things that bother us all the time--tight muscles, pains in the back or leg or somewhere--and we all work around it. We take meds or see masseuses or physical therapists to help make the pain go away. And we know how good it feels when we feel better.
Imagine a dog (or cat or horse or pig) who's had this same discomfort. They can't do anything about it. But imagine, also, how good it feels when it goes away.
This must be close to just how good Gabe must feel at this moment. Mostly deaf, blind, and can't smell. Head probably feels like it's going to explode, can barely swallow and really don't care about food because you can't taste it anyway. Finally, such relief! Enjoy your new head, Gabe!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | September 08, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Wonderful, wonderful news about sweet Gabe!!! In the top picture, he looks as if he were smiling broadly (and he would have plenty of good reasons to do just that:-))...
God bless you, Alayne & Steve, for all you keep doing for the RDR furkids!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | September 08, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Gabe is a wonderful boy and we will miss him on our way back to Portland, OR but he won't miss being with us since he has such an awesome home at the RDR. TWO THUMBS UP again to Alayne and Steve!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | September 08, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Bless his heart. I am so happy for him. Way to go RDR and vets. You have done it again. You are all incredible.
Posted by: Evelyn | September 08, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Way to go Gabe! I am so thrilled to read about your recovery and your start of a happy loving life at Rolling Dog Ranch.
Thank you so much for what you do for these animals. All of you at the ranch are in my prayers daily. You are much appreciated.
Posted by: Connie in Spokane | September 07, 2009 at 11:19 PM
That's enough to make your readers tear up too. Bless!
Posted by: Vickie | September 07, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Wow....Gabe has a new lease on life! He has just begun to explore his life at the ranch. Looks like a real happy boy!
Posted by: Nina | September 07, 2009 at 09:27 PM
How exciting to have that little darling back home and looking so well and happy! God bless him! Made my day......I will be praying for successful radiation treatments and that all goes well!
Posted by: Leila from Washington | September 07, 2009 at 08:35 PM
What an amazing turnaround for Gabe. Happy eating, tasting, and smelling, little one. p.s. love your scar!!
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | September 07, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Such good news! It must be extremely gratifying to see such an immediate change in attitude after what must have been a painful surgery. I'm so happy that Gabe has his world back!
Posted by: Darcie | September 07, 2009 at 08:15 PM
What a joy-filled post! I'm as thrilled as if Gabe were my dog. Best wishes - - and big hugs - - to him for a full recovery.
Posted by: Moon Rani | September 07, 2009 at 07:50 PM
How wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! for Gabe and for you two. This must be one of the most rewarding rescues you've had so far. And thank you to the doctors and staff of WSU.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | September 07, 2009 at 07:49 PM
What a great outcome. He must feel like a new dog. How lucky he is to have someone like the two of you to take care of him. And he does look happy in that photo. Here's hoping that he'll have many happy and healthy years ahead of him.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | September 07, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Yeah, what a happy occasion to have Gabe home and smelling everything, he looks great. Thanks again for all yoou do for these very special fuzzy "people"
Posted by: Diane Bowlin | September 07, 2009 at 07:01 PM