Avery post-surgery

I took this photo of little Avery this morning. He's been doing just great since coming home from surgery on Friday — especially when his cone is off! We've started removing it when we're around and can supervise to see if he begins pawing at the sutures. We could already tell this weekend that he was feeling so much better after having his eyes removed. The pain from glaucoma is so terrible, and so chronic, that enucleation brings almost immediate relief. The constant, grinding migraine headache — which is how humans with glaucoma describe the pain — he's suffered for years is finally gone. His new life begins.

Our other recent arrival, blind Louie, is also doing fine. I got this shot of Louie in the living room this afternoon:

Louie with Goldie

That's blind Goldie — our Beagle/Cocker mix — on the adjoining bed. She's been with us for over 13 years since we lived in Seattle. Goldie's seen (well, maybe that's not exactly the right word) dozens and dozens of dogs come and go over the past decade, so she's become very used to the routine. She welcomes each arrival with a sniff and a casual "Oh, it's just another newbie" greeting and goes back to whatever she was doing. She does seem to prefer … for obvious reasons … Beagles and Cockers, followed by Dachshunds, in that order. Dachshunds make her list because they all just adore her for some reason. 

I've been remiss in not posting this sooner, but a writer in Oregon named Kelly Walker contacted us because she's doing a book on disabled dogs and is looking for stories to include.  In addition to some of our dogs, she's interested in hearing from any of our blog readers who may have disabled dogs of their own. There's more info on her book project, including her contact email, at http://brokendogs.blogspot.com/

Please do not contact me about this because we are not involved in the book project. Any submissions or story ideas need to go directly to Kelly. Thank you.

600x120_ShelterChallenge_2011_Jan

The current Shelter Challenge started on Monday, April 4th, and ends at midnight on Sunday, June 19th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories … please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.

And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.

You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.

Please note:  Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.

Because of your votes, we just won $1,000 as a weekly winner in this current Shelter Challenge. Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!

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22 responses to “My Eyes Are Gone But So Is My Pain”

  1. Janet in Cambridge Avatar
    Janet in Cambridge

    That was the easy part, Avery. Now on to the heartworm. Restricted activity will not be fun, but you’ll deal with it, I’m sure. At least your little head won’t be throbbing and may lounging around is the right way to go. Speedy recovery, handsome.
    Louie, you look like you’ve always been there. Kisses to everyone!

    Like

  2. Moon Rani Avatar
    Moon Rani

    Avery’s little moustache makes it look as if he’s smiling, and I’m sure he is smiling on the inside. At last he can begin really living!

    Like

  3. Penny Avatar
    Penny

    Little Avery… you MUST feel a lot better now. Just take it easy and rest up for a few days. Let Mom and Dad spoil you good.

    Like

  4. Shirley * James/Portland, OR Avatar

    Rest well sweet Avery—darling picture of Louie and Goldie! They both can’t believe how they ended up at the Ritz Carlton!!!

    Like

  5. Carla Polastro-Nigro Avatar

    Avery has been on my mind a lot, these past few days. Thank you so much, Steve, for this great update. It has certainly made my week start on a uplifting note.
    I’m so happy (aren’t we all?:-)) that he’s no longer in pain.
    Louie has made himself right at home, hasn’t he?:-)

    Like

  6. Jessica, NL Avatar
    Jessica, NL

    Great news and a good recovery for him, welcome to your haven!

    Like

  7. Glenda Avatar
    Glenda

    Welcome home, precious ones, welcome home….
    Pain-free….life is finally good!

    Like

  8. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    So glad Avery is doing well and is pain free now. (hopefully.) And he certainly does have a little mustache. And if you look closely, you can see it has little points on the ends – he seems to be French! A little Fench mustache. How absolutely adorable! ha ha

    Like

  9. Deb White Avatar
    Deb White

    He looks WONDERFUL!

    Like

  10. Chloe Avatar

    I can’t tell you how happy I am that Avery is not in pain any longer. Thank you to everyone who made this possible for the little guy.

    Like

  11. Channon Avatar

    Thank you for the photos. Our basset girl has glaucoma and lost her left eye in January. We’re holding our own with the right eye thus far, but we’ve already made the decision that if the right eye must come out, we’ll be sewing that side shut too.
    Because of your kind blogging, I was able to show my husband, inlaws and our dog sitter what Sissy MIGHT look like…

    Like

  12. Kathy Hertzel Avatar
    Kathy Hertzel

    I wish I could reach right into my screen & give Avery a hug. Standing there he looks like he’s just waiting for some loving. I had migraines for years so I know the pain he was living with. Goldie looks to be watching over Louie while he naps to make sure he’s alright.

    Like

  13. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    So happy to see these darlin’ doggies here, all looking so peaceful. Thank you, all, for making their lives pain free and comfortable and, of course, full of love.

    Like

  14. Mary H. Avatar
    Mary H.

    His little moustache reminds me of Inspector Clouseau. I imagine you will see a new dog bloom in front of you as the continual pain has subsided. It must be tricky caring for a newly pain-free pup that should limit activity while being treated for heart worms. I “heart” Rolling Dog Ranch!

    Like

  15. Barbara Techel Avatar

    So so so happy that Avery no longer has any pain. Big hug to you little Avery.

    Like

  16. Michele Avatar

    Thank you for getting Avery out of pain!

    Like

  17. Morgan Avatar

    I cannot express the privilege it has been (and hopefully will continue to be) working with you over the last 10 years. To be able to facilitate a rescue for Chopper/Avery because you could be there for him on the other end… Knowing he would get exactly the care he needed… Thank you thank you thank you.

    Like

  18. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    I would be very surprised if little Avery doesn’t get adopted. The picture of him after the surgery is so darn cute. Who wouldn’t love that face?

    Like

  19. Anne in FL Avatar
    Anne in FL

    I cannot even see his eyes are gone, I am giggling too hard about his little Clouseau mustache. How CUTE (and giggle funny!) Isnt that how life is, dont focus on the “oh, how sad” things that are really “oh what a relief!” things. Look for the good and the things that make each of us different and special…like cute little mustaches. Love you Inspector Avery.

    Like

  20. Kim Stone Avatar
    Kim Stone

    Just wanted to say how much I appreciate this blog. Our 12-year-old dog was diagnosed with glaucoma when she was 3 and we knew that one day we’d be faced with removing her eyes. She had an IOP inserted at that time, and lost the second eye about a year ago. Since she’s now an elderly girl, a second prosthetic just didn’t seem right this time around. So we had it surgically removed. Like Avery, she felt better immediately. Because of this blog, I knew exactly what to expect and it made the decision so much easier. You guys do amazing work. Keep it up!

    Like

  21. Kristin in GA Avatar
    Kristin in GA

    Thank you so much for all that you do to ensure that dogs like Avery get the medical attention they need. From the wonderful volunteer who called you to see if you could help him, to the vets and vet staff that made sure his surgery went well to of course you and your amazing wife who agreed to take him in – you are all wonderful, special people.

    Like

  22. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    Avery, I’m so glad you’re out of pain! I’m sure you’re going to do very well with the heartworm treatment as well. You are just so adorable…I love that mustache!

    Like

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