Ruby is gone but will never be forgotten...

If you've come here looking for information on your dog going blind or what it is like to live with a blind dog because it is happening to a member of your fur family, you should come away satisified that when a dog goes blind it is not the end of the world.  Blind dogs are very special and that this has happened to them is more than likely harder on the human than the dog.  I won't be adding any more entries to this section for I lost Ruby last night.  I had almost 2 years with Ruby after she went totally blind and those 2 years I wouldn't trade for anything. 

The entries for now are entered backwards, with the beginning of Ruby's story on the next page.  I started detailing her progress from the first day, back in June 2005.  Ruby had an eye injury that took the sight of one of her eyes when she was about 5 years old, and when she was 11 1/2 she had a glaucoma attack that took her good eye.   

Hopefully Ruby's story will give you hope that blind dogs can, and do live very fullfilling lives.   

Comments

[Wanda]

Stephanie - SO sorry to hear about Ruby's passing. May you continue to hold the fond memories in your heart of the time you spent with her.

(((((((((((((((((( Stephanie ))))))))))))))))))))

Wanda be

[Stephanie]

Thank you so much Wanda. I am totally devastated today, but I know with time it will get better. At least I hope so! I miss her so bad right now!.

[PamF]

I am always so sorry to hear of the loss of a furried family member. It is never easy but especially so for you because of all the things you have endured together. Hang in there.....and Sapphire too.

She's probably running around amazed at all the beautiful things she can see once again!

Sorry for your loss.

[Stephanie]

Thank you Pam. Yes, I miss her so bad still. I didn't realize how much time I spent devoted to making sure Ruby had everything she needed where she could easily get to it and making sure she had special attention. There is now a huge void where she should be.

[Austin]

Hello Stephanie, I'm sorry to bother you if replying to this does bother you, but I wanted to let you know how much reading about Ruby meant to me, and how I hope it helps Meagan and I with helping Taco live a normal puppy life. We found out yesterday that she has glaucoma and has lost complete vision in her right eye and is losing sight in her left. We are meeting again with the vet on Monday to review our options, but needless to say, the shock of this all is still very present and I don’t think it has completely sunk in yet ..... A little background on me, I'm 31 years old, 6'4, 270 lbs, a sports loving manly type man who has started dating Taco’s mother and fell in love with both of them. I have been a complete basket case over the past 24 hours after learning about how much pain she was in and how I was so afraid she wouldn't be able to live a normal life.
Reading about Ruby's life I think has helped me with understanding this isn't the end of Taco’s life. That times may get harder before they get better, but that they will get better. I'm sure that it was hard writing about your loss of Ruby but it means so much to me that you did, and I am very grateful that you did. Thank you for allowing all of us to learn about her life and letting her memory help guide us with our little princess. Best wishes, Austin

[Stephanie]

Hello Austin!

Thank you for writing. I am glad that Ruby's story has helped you. I will always miss Ruby as she was quite the character but I love to reminisce about her. I am very sorry to hear about your Taco's eye problems! It is heart wrenching to have to go through this but what else do we do? If Taco does lose her eyesight she will recover and live a full life. A friend has a dog that at 15 she ended up having to have both eyes removed due to glaucoma. Trouble is 17 now and still living up to her name. She can still even get in the garbage! You would never know she didn't have any eyes to watch her! I will say some prayers for you and Taco and her mom. Take care...Stephanie