I got this shot this evening of Charlie seeing Alayne for the first time. His tail was wagging and he was jumping up and down, trying to get closer to her face. He was so excited he could barely contain himself.
We had just returned from Spokane, and Charlie was walking around the house "in awe," as Alayne described it. He was inspecting everything, fascinated by the sights of a house he had known well but never seen before.
Dr. Yakely did a detailed examination of Charlie this morning and concluded that it was okay for us to return to the ranch. The capsular tension ring that shifted yesterday during the initial post-op phase had mostly, but not completely, migrated back into position by the time of today's exam. Dr. Yakely thought it better to wait and see what happened than to open up the eye again so soon. Our vet in Helena, Dr. Brenda Culver, will do a check-up exam next week and report back to Dr. Yakely.
Functionally the capsular tension ring being slightly "off" doesn't make any difference to Charlie's vision, and vision he has! The final part of the discharge process is "the obstacle course." Dr. Yakely's vet tech clutters a hallway with traffic cones and other objects, and then they turn the dog loose to see if he or she can navigate down the hall without walking into anything. Charlie walked through the obstacle course with no problems at all. Twice.
We have not let him out to play with his buddies like blind Austin because Charlie needs to be on "quiet time" for the next two weeks.
When Charlie realized I was taking photos of him and Alayne, he turned and rushed over to check me out, too (though no surprise by now what I looked like!):
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Please vote for us every
day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Thanks to your votes, we won $3,000 for the animals in the last contest and would like to repeat that win -- or do even better -- in this one! Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Thank you!
Everyone here who met Charlie and rooted for him sends big applause, tears of joy and hugs to you guys and Charlie. He was without a doubt our most expensive beagle but this outcome makes it all worth it and then some. Huzzah!!!!
Posted by: Morgan Skilling | September 20, 2009 at 09:45 AM
I am SO glad you were able to capture this special beyond words moment. It is so truly priceless.
I believe in miracles. THANK YOU>
Posted by: Margaret | September 18, 2009 at 06:07 PM
So great. A magic moment. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: nkmcalli | September 18, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Charlie looks great! Glad to hear/see that he is getting around well and SEEING the world he has in front of him.
Dawn at the Animal Eye Clinic
Posted by: Dawn | September 17, 2009 at 09:12 PM
That is one HAPPY Beagle, wow! I love the look of adoration on his face as he gazes up at Alayne! This is truly a miracle.
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie | September 17, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Wow, what a precious face!! Just melts my heart to see him "see" his world and the humans who love and care for him!!! You guys rock!!
Posted by: Nina | September 17, 2009 at 02:10 PM
This makes me so happy, thank you for sharing this wonderful "awakening" with us.
Posted by: Tonya | September 17, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Seeing him see...wooohoooooo!!
Posted by: Miranda | September 17, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Hello Handsome Charlie! One can only imagine the wonders that Charlie "gets to see" each day! he experienced the love and compassion from you, Alayne, and the rest of his buddies, but to now see everything, AMAZING! Tears again...........
RDR is #2!!!!!!!
Posted by: Doe George | September 17, 2009 at 12:49 PM
First you restore Gabe's sense of smell and taste and now Charlie's sense of sight. Mircles on the Ranch. Now how's that for a book title!!??
Congratulations to everyone involved. I'm grateful to share in this experience thru reading your blog and feeling all the joy and happiness your words and photos exude.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | September 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Priceless!!
Barbara & Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | September 17, 2009 at 11:10 AM
AWWWWW, what a beautiful lady he gets to see - and now he knows what love looks like too - great going with this little happy boy!! RDR rocks (and I voted).
Posted by: Angela | September 17, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I just voted and currently Rolling Dog Ranch is #2 overall !!! KEEP VOTING!!!
Posted by: Lynda | September 17, 2009 at 10:34 AM
What a heart warming post!
ADORE the last photo of Charlie; you can really feel his enthusiasm coming through his photos. What a happy time for him!
Posted by: boundforglory | September 17, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Great news I hope he has a longlife on the ranch
Posted by: gayle | September 17, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I love the picture of Charlie looking at Alayne!! Sniff, sniff. Hand me a tissue please.
Posted by: Lynda | September 17, 2009 at 08:22 AM
That face!!! You made me cry with happiness this morning...I have no words... I am just absolutely moved to tears. Bless you all.
Posted by: Debbie | September 17, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Just beautiful! I have tears in my eyes! I love the mirror picture and Charlie looking up . . . Oh, I love all of them!
Charlie, I'm so happy for you! And RDR is in 2nd place, too! Yahoo!! Can you tell I'm excited!
Posted by: Amy | September 17, 2009 at 04:51 AM
Hooray for Charlie! brings a tear to my eye. So many miracles take place because of Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: Kate and Luke | September 17, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Oh, those pictures are so lovely. I can hear the joy in your written words the last 2 posts.
That beautiful happy picture w/ his sparkling, sighted eyes makes me cry!
These are the things that makes a person's heart swell.
Charlie it is so good to SEE you!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | September 17, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You have made possible one of those small miracles that makes life worth living for all of us. Charlie's upward gaze warms my heart.
Posted by: Helen R | September 16, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Charlie is saying "Hi peeps! I can see you now!"
Posted by: Vicki Thauvin | September 16, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Again more tears ..that is so wonderful for Charlie to see again! Having had/have blind dogs
this is such a wonderful gift and
experience...bless you guys! Im
voting like crazy : )
Mo and the pugs!
Posted by: Maureen Bishop | September 16, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Charlie looks great! Congratulations on finally being able to see! It must be a whole new world for him. I wish you all the best!
By the way?
How's our little wobbly Allie doing?
Us folks in Sault Ste. Marie sure do miss her!
Posted by: Kylie | September 16, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Charlie is a doll. Think of the miracle of having your sight back. RDR just opened up a whole new world for this little guy. Aw, pass the kleenex.
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | September 16, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Just caught up on these last two posts. What great news! Your joy comes through so strong that I laugh with joy, myself. Seeing Charlie go up to the mirror to look at himself is just priceless!
Posted by: Vicki Small | September 16, 2009 at 09:30 PM
That just makes me want to cry with joy!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | September 16, 2009 at 09:21 PM
How incredibly heart warming. You folks are awesome. Of course Charlie is too
Posted by: Ev | September 16, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Well, hi there Charlie. Isn't it fascinating to see him taking in the world around him. What a smile he has. Yes, he is a handsome boy.
Posted by: Jennie Wiseman | September 16, 2009 at 08:08 PM