We couldn’t be more pleased and proud to announce this month’s Pet of the month as “Dixie!” Dixie is a 9-year-old Shih Tzu with quite a story to tell.
She first came to us as a seven-month-old puppy to be spayed. She was healthy and happy with her owners. About a year later she was diagnosed with Bilious Syndrome, which causes vomiting in response to bile-induced inflammation of the stomach. It was indeed a discomfort but mostly manageable.
Then in summer of 2005, Dixie began having trouble with her eyes. She had dry eyes that required daily, often hourly, treatment that began being too costly for her owners. Sadly, they had made the decision to euthanize her because they feared that her eyes would only worsen along with her health because they could no longer afford to care for her.
At her very young age, even with her challenging health problems, one of our doctors stepped in to offer them a better solution. Flora’s Pet Project, one of the local rescue organizations, had a rare opening and were willing and able to help! Thankfully, her original owners accepted the offer and Dixie was relinquished to her new foster home where she received the very best of love, medical care and attention any dog deserves.
At Flora’s, they worked tirelessly to treat her, but unfortunately Dixie’s eyes had plans of their own. The dry eyes, which were left mostly untreated before arriving, had developed ulcers, and with these ulcers, more and more problems, and discomfort for Dixie. After much effort and consult, the decision was made to have both of her eyes removed. A complete Bilateral Enucleation! For Dixie, this would add years to her life and make her feel comfortable again! It was a success, although Dixie would have many new challenges to face as a blind dog.
Finally, three years after looking for the very special owners that Dixie would require, a new home was found and she was placed with one of the most loving, attentive, and caring families that any dog could ever dream of! She is not considered merely a pet or a dog, but is treated as an equal and is their “special child.” Just like many children, she even has her own facebook page, and she Tweets as well! You will also find her yearly calendar displayed in our back area. She has a very special bond with Joe, her very best friend in the whole world! Joe was quoted as saying that Dixie is “one of the greatest creatures on the planet.” Now that is love!
Being blind doesn’t hold Dixie back one bit. She enjoys “hunting” for her favorite stuffed snowman or playing with her pink pig. She never bumps into anything and knows her way around her house just like you or I. She even gets her exercise chasing Gary the cat around, even if it’s only for a few yards, or playing with Helen the cat, another blind, yet very special pet in the household. And she especially loves going for rides in the car and when she hears the call for a ride, she prances and hops with excitement and runs right out to where the car is!
Dixie has definitely had her share of bumps in the road and still has her issues that she is tackling, but as you can see, when it comes to Dixie… (Blind or not) nothing gets in her way! She is one very special girl!
