Cassie Report
 

I just wanted to report on my little shi tzu Cassie. Many of you were so kind and concerned and supportive when we were dealing with her glaucoma and eye removal! As you recall we were thinking about putting her to sleep.

Well, we just celebrated her 13th birthday and she is doing great! Though she is totally blind and nearly deaf she seems to be a happy little thing. She has the house layout memorized and with the help of our little Adie has no trouble knowing when it is time to go outside. We sometimes have to go get her if she strays away from her usual paths in the back yard but that isn't often as her sense of smell is terrific.
Speaking of her sense of smell, she can identify individuals from four feet away and adjusts her path accordingly. She walks around the cat and brushes by the dogs. LOL It is kind of funny to watch her follow me around the house! It is a new game for her as her tail wags the whole time.
Mealtime is easy - she comes trotting (she doesn't run) as soon as the smell of food hits her.
Due to her age she sleeps a lot, but I think her life is quite comfortable. Skeeter still gets his face washed when he asks for it and Adie keeps Gracie from picking on her. (Running out of room here!)

Oh, what a good update! :) I was actually thinking about Miss Cassie and you earlier this week. I love hearing that your darling girl is still so happy and can get around well. The image of her following you with a wagging tail brings a big smile to my face. Give her big huggins and kisses for me please.

Will do!
I thought of you while I was writing and KNEW you would be the first to read and respond to my post. You have been the most supportive of all my YT friends! If Cassie only knew how much help she got she would give you a big wet kiss! LOL

That is so great to hear. It is amazing what these little ones go through and yet they just keep on going - tail wagging and all.
Great update, thanks for sharing. :)

I'll never be able to tell you how much you helped me when my Alexander passed. The thought of your Ivan (I always loved that big guy) being at the bridge to welcome and protect my little man gave me such peace when I needed it most. You and Cassie will always be special to me. :love-hug3

Oh this is just the best news! I love how she has found her way around! Very keen senses! Hugs,

Oh I just LOVE to hear about Cassie & am so glad she's doing so well.
Happy Birthday Cassie ! :bigbdaypa

What an AWESOME update on Cassie. These babies are so amazing in what they can handle.

HAPPY HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY Cassie. :bigbdaypa

I am so glad Cassie is doing well:D This update couldn't have come at a better time. We are dealing with this with our 12 1/2 year old Boxer. She is almost completely blind and we are so worried about her quality of life but like Cassie she seems to be doing fine otherwise.

Happy Birthday sweet Cassie:D

I'm sorry to hear that your Boxer is blind but I'm here to tell you she will be just fine. Good luck with her and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Lets keep in touch.

Wow! It is really nice to hear from all of you! I'm touched that you remembered my sweet girl.
Thanks everyone!

Thank you I appreciate it sooo much!:D

This is great to hear! I'm so glad that Cassie is doing well :) She sounds like my childhood dog, Maggie (also a shih-tzu) who is completely blind but lives the good life. She does great and gets around just fine. Thanks for updating us on Cassie :D

I am so happy to hear the great update on Cassie. My Nikki is totally blind and deaf and his sense of smell is not good. He is quite a bit older and is not adjusting to the blindness. He is losing his memory of where everything is day by day. I am hoping he can adjust further as he has only been completely blind for 2 months. Did Cassie have an adjustment period? Nikki can't even see or smell food in front of his nose, I have to gently nudge his nose to the food to eat now. Thanks

Patti, I'm sorry to hear about your Nikki. I bet his sense of smell will improve. I know Cassie's did. She still can't seem to smell the dry food but we put it in exactly the same spot and the same time every morning and she finds it. Cassie had to be watched closely for a while to keep her from running into things but she learned that she needs to keep her head down and walk slower in case she did run into something. I also moved everything out of the living room and kitchen that we didn't absolutely have to have. I really don't know how long it took us to get comfortable with her problem but I think it was withing a couple of months. She still gets lost in the back yard sometimes. Adie also helps her a lot. Since we have a full basement I can stomp my foot to call her. It works when she wants it to and if she is awake! LOL

Unfortunately I think Nikki has more problems than Cassie. If his memory is getting worse it could be really hard for him to comfortably get around. What does the vet say? Is there any medication that might help? Something like they give to Alzeheimers patients? Don't give up to soon. He may surprise you. Keep in touch and feel free to contact me whenever you need someone to talk to. This situation presents problems we never thought of but I'm here for you.