How-Dee Doodie
Every Buddy!
Dis isn't da postee me planned fur Black and White Sun-Day
BUTT
Me is gonna let da Momma do me postee today.
Dat don't happen often so me hopes her don't mess tings up fur me!
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Ok, Amber. I promise not to mess up your blog!
{SHEEESH}
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by and left their condolences for our Benji, who crossed the Bridge on October 4. Things just aren't the same here without our old boy. We miss him so much. Cancer and Old Age don't mix well, but Ben gave it his all and fought to stay with us as long as he could.
Rest in Peace, Bear! We will never forget you.
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Now on to our post for today.
We got some very bad news about Amber a week ago.
For quite a while we noticed that Amber was having some trouble focusing on things that were right in front of her. We had our own vet examine her on two occasions over the last 18 months but he wasn't able to find anything that really indicated a problem and suggested that we see an eye specialist with more knowledge and equipment to get a better idea of what was happening to Amber's eyesight.
A week ago we took her to the specialist.
Amber has a condition known as
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY.
This is an inherited condition leading to eventual total blindness. There is no treatment and no cure.
There has been some success in buying time before blindness sets in by administering antioxidant supplements. There was a supplement developed for this condition called "Ocu Glo" which Amber is now taking along with fish oil, a baby aspirin, and a special antioxidant vitamin daily.
The good news is that Amber still seems to have night vision, which is usually the first to go. So we're hoping the supplements will slow the progression of the condition and give her some more time before she enters a world of darkness. Since Max is her littermate and carries the gene for this condition as well, we have started him on antioxidant supplements too. He may not be affected but better safe than sorry if the supplements do help.
The big question is not IF Amber will go blind, but rather WHEN Amber will go blind.
Today we ask for POTP for Amber in the hope that she will still be able to keep her sight for as long as possible.
We have lived with a blind dog in the past and know that many of you have also had blind pets. Animals always seem to adjust very well to blindness and don't give it a second thought. But the pet parents go into panic mode. At least I do, and I've been here before with my Min Pin, Serena {RIP}. It just isn't easy.
Thank you for letting me "borrow" Amber's blog today. We apologize for being MIA in Blogville since Benji's death. We've been on overload the last 3 weeks it seems. First we adopted our two new girls, then the loss of Benji, the delay of a big construction project here at the house (Amber will tell you all about that later on), and finally Amber's diagnosis. I sit down to help Amber with her typing for her blog and then have to run off somewhere. Hopefully things will get better soon.
If you're interested in learning more about Amber's diagnosis, click
for an article that pretty well describes it.
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In closing, we have some happy news to report!
Max's chosen one, Anna Rose, is home from the hospital. Max is off in the Weenie Mobile heading for St. Louis to kiss all her boo-boos for her.
Also, Mona and Weenie's Momma is home from the hospital and is recuperating at her sister's house for a couple of weeks. She is going to try and visit the blogs, but will probably not be able to post until she's back home again. She sends a great big HELLO to Blogville!
Amber will be back with a post soon. I thank her for allowing me to use her blogging time today. And I didn't even mess anything up {I don't think} .
Hugs to All
