Charlie looking at Alayne

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!):

Charlie looking at camera 

Button_ARS-click_120x120 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!

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29 responses to “Oh, So That’s What You Look Like”

  1. Jennie Wiseman Avatar
    Jennie Wiseman

    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.

    Like

  2. Ev Avatar
    Ev

    How incredibly heart warming. You folks are awesome. Of course Charlie is too

    Like

  3. Lynne Parker Avatar

    That just makes me want to cry with joy!

    Like

  4. Vicki Small Avatar

    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!

    Like

  5. Penny Heinrich Avatar
    Penny Heinrich

    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.

    Like

  6. Kylie Avatar
    Kylie

    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!

    Like

  7. Maureen Bishop Avatar
    Maureen Bishop

    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!

    Like

  8. Vicki Thauvin Avatar
    Vicki Thauvin

    Charlie is saying “Hi peeps! I can see you now!”

    Like

  9. Helen R Avatar
    Helen R

    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.

    Like

  10. Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin Avatar
    Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin

    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!

    Like

  11. Kate and Luke Avatar
    Kate and Luke

    Hooray for Charlie! brings a tear to my eye. So many miracles take place because of Rolling Dog Ranch!

    Like

  12. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    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!

    Like

  13. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    That face!!! You made me cry with happiness this morning…I have no words… I am just absolutely moved to tears. Bless you all.

    Like

  14. Lynda Avatar
    Lynda

    I love the picture of Charlie looking at Alayne!! Sniff, sniff. Hand me a tissue please.

    Like

  15. gayle Avatar
    gayle

    Great news I hope he has a longlife on the ranch

    Like

  16. boundforglory Avatar
    boundforglory

    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!

    Like

  17. Lynda Avatar
    Lynda

    I just voted and currently Rolling Dog Ranch is #2 overall !!! KEEP VOTING!!!

    Like

  18. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    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).

    Like

  19. Barbara Techel Avatar

    Priceless!!
    Barbara & Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

    Like

  20. Lynn (in Louisiana) Avatar
    Lynn (in Louisiana)

    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.

    Like

  21. Doe George Avatar
    Doe George

    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!!!!!!!

    Like

  22. Miranda Avatar
    Miranda

    Seeing him see…wooohoooooo!!

    Like

  23. Tonya Avatar
    Tonya

    This makes me so happy, thank you for sharing this wonderful “awakening” with us.

    Like

  24. Nina Avatar
    Nina

    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!!

    Like

  25. Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie Avatar
    Heidi, Emmett, and Moxie

    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.

    Like

  26. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    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

    Like

  27. nkmcalli Avatar
    nkmcalli

    So great. A magic moment. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  28. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    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>

    Like

  29. Morgan Skilling Avatar

    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!!!!

    Like

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