Meet Clara-the little blind Westie Mix!
 

Hi All...just a quick message to let everyone know that we got a new little rescued Westie/mix in yesterday!

Clara is only 10 months old and was found wandering in Kentucky, they think dumped by a puppy miller. That is bad enough as it stands, but sweet Clara is blind!

Attached is a picture of Clara (with ears that big I guess you don't need great sight!!!)

She was transported to us, Westies in Need, in Ontario, along with 21 (yes I said 21!!!) other dogs from Kentucky shelters all the way to Ontario and Quebec where they were all rescued by different Canadian rescue groups.

We will be moving forward on getting her evaluated by a canine opthamologist to see if anything can be done to help or improve her sight...but if nothing can be done...that's OK too....cause Clara doesn't even know she is blind! She just knows she is now safe.

Now a question...any folks out there deal or have dealt with a blind dog (blind from birth)
We know the obvious stuff like "can't move the furniture" but anything else we need to know??????

She is absolutely adorable! You are great people for taking in a challenged pup.

If you have another dog, this will help tremendously. I did take in a blind pup a while back and it was my shep that helped her.

I really cannot help with any other information as the one I had just followed me or Max. The dog was eventually adopted with another canine buddy.

Best of luck to you and the ophthalmologist appointment. Hopefully something can be done.

[QUOTE=Corrie;807160]
Attached is a picture of Clara (with ears that big I guess you don't need great sight!!!)

[/QUOTE]

:laughing: you got that right :laughing:

I fostered a blind st-bernard for about a month last year , and my older golden is also going blind ....

one thing I remember is that if you do have other pets , to put bells on their collars. So that the blind one can hear them coming and going / knows where they're are. Same with you , to let her know when you approach her , to talk while you're working around the house etc .... I remember finding a very good forum about blind dogs ...

off to find it :)

Got it : [url]http://blinddog.info/msgbd/[/url]

there's lots of advices and tips , and you can become a member to ask questions if needed.

I will say this , the foster I had , had lived her whole life tied up all day outside and spent her nights inside a barn. Owners told me she had never set foot inside a house .... and she was almost 4 years old. I was soooooo amazed on how fast she learned everything ! Took about 24 hours to get her inside but after that , no problems (other than with my dogs :o) she could run outside in the yard , knowing where the shed , pool , fence were. She also learn by herself , how to come up the patio stairs , within about an hour.

good luck and keep me posted , you will see how quick they learn everything , simply amazing :thumbs up

Aw, Clara is adorable. :lovestruck: It is so wonderful that your group is willing to take on a special needs baby. I have a soft spot in my heart for Westies.

I've not dealt with a blind dog, but my older dog is deaf. I have to say that having a canine companion has made a world of difference for him. When we lost our little Scottie girl last September, he was lost and in his own world. He blossomed (or maybe rebloomed) after we brought Cassidy home. He can pick up on her doggie language and they really can communicate with each other.

I know that with blindness or deafness it is critical that the dog always be on leash for walks--although with the terrier instinct I feel that is necessary regardless. Stairs can present a danger as well. I know you will find her a wonderful forever home where her heart will glow with a loving light to make up for her darkened vision.

Hi

What a great thing u did to take this special need pup in.

I have read spraying furniture polish along the wall at nose level will help her in not walking into furniture. Also if u have stairs put a baby gate across them so she doesn't fall down them.

Debbie

Just spoke to her foster Mom.

We were originally quite worried about Clara going up and down the 4 steps she needs to use to go outside to go potty. What if she falls, or gets confused!

Well...I guess we did not have to worry..she figured out the 4 steps to go outside in about 1/2 of an hour and this morning her foster Mom was wondering where she was and found her upstairs in the house...she went up and then DOWN 13 steps!!:laughing:

Now, it was slowly and carefully...but she made it. This little one keeps surprising us..she is adapting so well!

Thanks for the link to the site re: living with blind dogs...it is VERY informative.

Clara goes to see the canine opthamologist on August 17th...don't know if there is anything we can do, but we are gonna try.

OMG, what a total sweetheart :dog:; best of luck with 'adjustments' (sounds like she's doing just fine). I'm sure she'll have her pick of wonderful homes :thumbs up; yay Westie Rescue :D.

Hi, I have a blind GSP. Her iris's did not develop and we have been starting to train her with voice. My Princess is only 9 weeks old so if you find out any useful info please share with me as I need all the help I can get. Clara is a cutie. I did find some info on the web and apparently there is a book on training blind dogs. Just google blind dogs and I am sure you will find the same info.

Good luck:thumbs up

Clara definitely has a whimsical air! What a cutie! :lovestruck: I love the ears!

:goodvibes: for a perfect home for Clara to be found soon!

Clara is adorable and looks so happy to be here as well. :lovestruck:

Glad to hear that she is adjusting well and hope she finds her perfect family soon. :fingerscr :goodvibes:

was there any updates on her sight? :) hope shes doing well