People and Their Pets: Zoe's Update

Posted 2:08 PM, December 7, 2007, by jaruiz

Zoe, who appeared earlier on our blog (http://radiology.stanford.edu/blog/archives/2007/07/zoe.html)

In September of 2007, we had to have both of Zoe's eyes removed. When my husband and I brought Zoe home from the vet that day we wanted to cry, but we didn't. We made sure that the loss of her vision was the only change that she had to endure. As a result, Zoe has adjusted to her loss of vision very quickly. She had only one accident in the house and that was the day after the removal of her eyes. She is a well-trained dog who has continued to be a responsible member of our family. She has all of the freedoms that she has always had. She sits and waits for her meals, comes when she is called, and knows where every member of the family is at all times.

Zoe still doesn't know when to stop playing. We have had to learn how to communicate with her in new and different ways. She was so active that we had to nail some of our furniture to the floor long before she had any vision problems. Now, it is nailed to the floor so nobody can move it into her pathway. She will trip you if she gets half a chance, and she plays bumper cars now and then when she forgets that she can't see. Zoe has always loved life and lives to play ball and tug-o-war. In the end, we spent more than $6,000.00 over the course of a year to end-up with the same loving, little dog with the only difference being that she can't see with her eyes.

Comments

Great article, and what a spirit Zoe has. All those who know Zoe have learned to admire her for adapting so well to her environment.

Comment by: Claudia Cooper at December 7, 2007 3:16 PM

What a lucky family you are and vice versa. I commend your family on adjusting so quickly and keeping your spirits up. Pets can sense when we are down and out, and the reason why Ms. Zoe is still living life to the fullest is because of you. Give yourselves a pat on the back, you all deserve it (and Zoe too :o)).

Comment by: Alesha Norton-Barnes at February 1, 2008 10:46 AM