Through the Eyes of a Blind Dog

Observations about life through the eyes of a dog that is blind and deaf.

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

I saw that the Thundershirt worked well for you. I also have a blind/deaf mini Aussie. Do you have any other tips for separation anxiety?

My mom crated me during the day when she left for work, but only for several months.  She would put a tee shirt in my crate that she had worn, so that I could smell her scent.  That helped to calm me down.  I eventually was left out on a trial bases.  When I began to start tearing up mail from the mail shoot, Mom had to put me back in the crate for a few weeks.  But, now I stay out and do well.  Another option is giving your sweet Aussie some "Rescue Remedy". It's a homeopathic option.  Mom used it on a golden retriever she once had that was afraid of storms.  It's a liquid and you just drop some on the tongue.  

Hope that helped!  My mom says I'm spoiled rotten, and I would have to agree.  

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Mom went to school today, and I got to go with her.  Now remember, I can't see or hear, so can you imagine the smells my nose encountered?  I can't even begin to tell you what all I smelled.  Clean stuff, I guess.  Even though students haven't returned to school, yet, I got to meet a lot of humans.  All of them thought I was pretty special, and I think Mom was telling how much she loves me.  The picture above is of me with two of Mom's co-workers.  Today was an adventure, for sure.  I came home exhausted, but it was a great experience.

www.throughtheeyesofablinddog.tumblr.com

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

We have foster children in the house, two shih tzus.  They were recused from a person who had 23 dogs in her house, basically a puppy mill.  The "fosters" are both female and 5 years old.  They have been mothers at least four times!  Their names are Sue and Jane.  Mom thinks they're precious and need much love and attention.  They will both be spayed soon, and Mom is working on training them to a leash cause they don't have a clue what a leash is.  Aren't they cute!?

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Well, my mom has totally gone off the deep end, I think.  She brought two little scruffy things into the house Monday night.  I went crazy because Mom put them in the big crate, and THAT'S MY CRATE even if I haven't been in it in months.  They're shih tzus, at least that's what Mom said.  I have to put up with them for a bit because Mom is fostering them until they can find a home of their own.  They came from a woman whose house burned, and she had no way to care for all of her dogs...ALL 23 OF THEM, if you can believe that!  The new fosters in my house are Sue (the predominately red one) and Jane.  I think the girls are happy to be with us because they are always jumping up and down when Mom comes into the room.  I've done very well, Mom says, at accepting them into the house.  As long as I get my spot in Mom's lap, I don't care how long they stay.  

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

It's a laaaaaaazzzzzzy afternoon!  zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

I'm jealous!  My fur brother, Glee, is in Mom's lap, so there isn't room for me to be there, too.  That's not fair!  I hopped up to get in Mom's lap and I had to hop right down.  :-(

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Here I am, Domino the deaf and blind mini Aussie, sitting in my momma's lap.  Do you think I'm spoiled?  LOL!  

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

So, here I am trolling around the backyard with my brother, Brighton.  And in the third picture I'm sporting a bandana that lets people know that I'm not ignoring them on purpose but because I'm deaf (and blind).  Aren't I a cutie????

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

How tall are you? To be 25 lbs, you must be on the smaller side, maybe 14-15 inches or so? My mini aussie is 35lbs but she is a large mini/borderline standard at 18 inches. Your breeder most likely got two merle minis and breed them. Minis have been around for at least 20+ years, so the breed has had time to become quite common.

I'm about 15 inches tall.  Another reason Mom thought I was not a pure Aussie is because I have a tail.  It's pretty cool, too.  I have a solid band of black wrapping around my tail from where it meets my body, and it's about three inches wide.  After the black comes a fan of white.  I'll try and get Mom to post a picture of me so you can see my odd looking appendage.  

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

I agree that you should never love the 'breed' but instead the actual dog. Also, Mini aussies were only breed from smaller sized standard aussies. There is no other breed of dog that was crossed to normal aussies to produce smaller sized dogs. A smaller(18 or so inch) aussie would be breed to another smaller aussie and you have minis or a small normal. I'm the type of person who researches everything about the type of pet I have. Haha.

WOW!  Thanks for the information.  Mom and I had no idea.  She just assumed the breeders used another breed since I'm only 25 pounds.  Plus, she also thought that since the breeders didn't know what they were doing (They bred two blue merles together.), she figured them used a different breed.  We'll never know; but now you've taught us what reputable breeders do.  You are very smart.  

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Aww thank you Domino's mom! I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but you are just so interesting! Are you an aussie or do you have some other breed in you?

Well, when my mom adopted me, she was told that I was a miniature Australian Shepherd.  But, I've been with Mom for over a year now, and she seems to think I have some terrier in me.  She thinks this because of my gait, which can look stiff at times, just like many terriers.  Plus, to actually achieve a miniature Aussie, she says breeders have to use a smaller, different breed than the original Aussie.  Mom doesn't care one bit what's inside of me; she just loves me like no one ever has.  (I was in two foster homes before I landed in Mom's lap.)  Now, I'm one very spoiled baby, and I LOVE IT!

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Are you trained to do any cool tricks? Also, are you fully deaf and blind, or just partially?

I see a tiny bit, shadows, primarily.  I also hear just a bit.  I can hear the tone of my mom's voice when we're outside.  I know how to sit when Mom touches the top of my head, and I walk backward on my hind feet.  The walking backward bit is a reaction more than anything.  When mom is bringing my brother's and my food in for us to eat, I love to walk backwards to the spot where I eat my food.  I wouldn't say any of those are tricks, though.  They're just things I do to help me get around.  I'm afraid of nothing, except smoke. I have a VERY keen smeller.  If I smell something burning, I run to the back bathroom and hide.  Of course, it's just that my mom has burned something in the oven.  (Don't tell, but she's not a very good cook.)  

Thanks for the questions; hope I answered them for you.  You're merle sure is pretty, so says Mom.  

Peace,

Domino

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

My babies speak the truth.  

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Were both your parents merle? (aka, are you a homozygous/double merle?)

Bingo!  My breeders had no idea they should NEVER breed two merles.  I have two siblings, too, both females.  One sister is just fine, and the other one blind in one eye and deaf in one ear.  Me...I got the double-whammy!  But that's okay.  My mom loves me dearly.  She and my other fur siblings are my forever family after having three other families decide not to keep me.  And guess what?  One of my fur siblings is a blue merle Sheltie.  

Thank you so much for asking me about my breeding.  You taught my mom and me a new word, too.  Homozygous is a totally cool word.  Mom and I look forward to seeing you around tumblr, too.  

Peace,

Domino 

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Look into my eyes.  You're going  to feed me...NOW!  (So says my brother, Ditto.  He's named Ditto because he's black and white like me.)  He loves to help me around the house since I'm deaf and blind.  I let him think I need him, even though I get around just fine on my own.

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Mom gave my brother and me a new chew tonight, and we both went WiLd!  Brighton took off to the bedroom so we wouldn't get in each other's way.  I guess he's learned to keep his distance when we have a chew that takes a bit to finish.  It's no wonder!  I growl and bark while enjoying my chew because getting one makes me so VERY happy.  

[throughtheeyesofablinddog]

Taking a stroll in the backyard today in the sunshine.  I can feel the sun even though I can't see it.