Chapter 15: When Buddy doesn't like anyone but you

Buddy was a labradoodle we had shortly and was one of the biggest dogs we've had in our home. He was truly sweet as pie, but soon after we got him home we realized he did not like our other dogs. But only when they came around when he was already cuddling with us on the couch or the bed.

He was a human bonder and he was very jealous of us giving other attention to other pets.Otherwise he was quite the docile dog. The dogs would even lay next to each other in the bed. It was just random time with random energies that Joey would growl and I never can guess.

Aggressive dog disclaimer: As labradoodles are the well fave of many breeds unlike the revered pit bull, he (however sweet) was proof that all dogs can be the most gentle or aggressive animals. I am not a believer that pit bulls should be rid of in this world BECAUSE of the misunderstanding that all dogs can bite. YES I do understand the bite strength of a pit is very bad, I'm a nurse in the operating room, we see children with bites that result in years and years of plastic surgery to correct scarring and damage. HOWEVER, I just don't believe in blaming the breed or dog, I blame the irresponsible human owner incapable of realizing each dog has natural instincts to bite when they feel cornered, fearful and threatened.

Yes babies and toddlers are quite innocent to look at, but they just do not understand etiquette. So YES I believe a responsible adult must watch dog and child at ALL TIMES. 1 second in time lapse may result in trauma. It's no different than 1 second lapse and your child falls and bump their head. You don't blame the table, you blame yourself and gravity. Your dog is NOT your babysitter.

Disclaimer cleared: back to Buddy. Our story started stressed because there were 3 males in the house and our Joey is just not a social dog. Everytime Buddy got remotely close to us, Joey would growl. Our PJay, being the innocent friendly one, always stepped in at the wrong time. When energies were anxious and high stressed, PJay would walk up and Buddy would attack PJay (whose not much of a fighter).

After the 1st fight, which was inches from me and I stopped, PJay was fine and unscathed. But it happened again, the same as before, with Joey hyping up the energy and PJay idly walking by. Buddy's attack this time left a forever scar across PJay's right ear. He tore PJay's ear and the gash healed eventually but you can feel the ridge when you pet his ear. But his fur grew over it in time so he nor I notice anymore.

As it pained me I had to return Buddy to the rescue and now he had a fight with another dog and biting on his record. I was more than heartbroken, but I could not risk Buddy and PJay fight again. I cried because I felt I gave up on Buddy and I was just beside myself.

Coincidentally, I also did home visits for adoption approvals and the rescue reached out to me for a visit nearby me. As I read over the application, I realized I was approving the home for Buddy and I was personally invested for this one more than the other visits, (for the obvious reasons).

IT WAS MEANT TO BE, this gentleman lived in a home by himself with a huge yard and planted edibles all over his fence and just wanted a companion in the home. With no wife and children and an adult brother would visit and dog sit. It was perfect because Buddy would be his only best friend with a big house and yard to live in. I talked to this gentleman about the episodes with PJay and he reassured me he'll be careful around other dogs, but he didn't think it would be an issue since Buddy will remain an only child. It was a sign I received this home visit to know Buddy would go to a loving home which fit his circumstance.

Chapter 14: Luke and Cataract Surgery, Coping with the Blind Dog

Luke came home with us knowing he'd have a long road ahead of him. He was forfeited because he had double cataracts and the surgical option was too expensive. Other than that, he was just the cutest thing. It's truly amazing how resilient dogs are to any medical condition because we were prepared for lots of adjustments when we brought him home. We kind of have practice with Joey (our adopted) since he's got one eye, but this was more total blindness so we were more cautious and careful.

My understanding of cataracts is not total blindness but more blurred vision. So I don't think Luke was totally blind, but more see shadows and light. With that, my husband and I communicated that we would walk him around out house after introduction so he could get the lay of the land. He would occasionally bump into the gates and our legs if we stopped abruptly, but he adapted quite quickly.

Blindness for dogs are almost unnoticeable because their scent leads their site so well. We only noticed his blindness for certain instances. Our snotty cat would bat him with his paw as he walks by, but he always did that to our Joey on his blind side as well. It was such a bully move, but it was kind of funny at the same time.

Blurry vision or blindness, these are the precautions and evaluations we take in our home:

• Walk your furry new pup around your house and front and back yard so he/she can familiarize themselves with all the spaces
• Keep hallway and rooms cleared of clutter so they have less things to bump into
• Have steps available or other methods so they can have a safe way to get onto surfaces like couches and beds
• Always have certain activities in designated area not to cause stress (ie feeding bowl, water bowls, dog beds, etc)
• Before full adaptation, keep an eye for your new dog and make sure if there are any obstacles you try to eliminate them or teach them how to get around them safely (blind dogs jumping off beds because they know they can but not knowing what is underneath can be very dangerous, especially on wooden floors.)

Our journey ahead was followed by pre operative visits to Green Bay and then finally he had his surgery in Madison. Before this surgery we had Luke for several months and my husband completely fell in love with him. Luke became partial to him since he worked 3rd shift and he was home sleeping all day and cuddling with all the pups. Luke was so partial that if I even walked down the hallway after coming home, he would bark to wake my husband up to alert someone approaching. We've never before had a foster take to my husband more than I. (That made the drives to Green Bay more fun and elective for him since I worked during the day.) lol

After surgery was the journey to recovery that was more worrisome. Luke was a spunky, excited dog, who also had a laid back side as well. With cataract surgery, the doctors never want to dog to be over excited or any high activity, not even a collar which can cause higher pressures in the eye after surgery.


They gave us pain medication, pressure controlling medication, eye drops, and a sedative and a cone so he didn't scratch his own eyes. I am one to always follow instructions but sedatives to me are so strong and I hate to use them if I don't have to. So we did the first 48 hours, but then decided if we were home, we'd rather have him always by our side and watch him and control his activity, versus sedating him and not care where he was or what he was doing.

The one moment that was great for us to witness was his sight after surgery. He never bumped into anything and he knew where everything was. There was new detail to his approach to things around the house and the yard. It was amazing to watch the transformation.

It was very different watching Luke be tired and lethargic because we knew he was such an otherwise happy go lucky dog. Once we went to his 1 week follow-up then every week until 6 weeks later, our plan worked and he recovered beautifully.


My husband had such a hard time separating from Luke but he understood it was time for him to find a good home. We are sometimes torn that we've done all the hard work and families get this healthy dog they haven't gone through trouble with. But we also understand he was abandoned because of his condition that our rescue spends the money necessary to clear his condition so it IS easier for him to be adopted.

We couldn't have asked for a better family, a couple with 2 boys who absolutely fell in love by the car ride home. We have received pictures of how comfy and how spoiled Luke is with his fluffy doggy beds and sweaters and haircuts. And we've found out he DOES attach to dad more than most. Just like he did my husband.






Some deem dogs will illness are high maintenance and you have them for so long, you may get attached. But it's such a great learning experience and so rewarding, I would do it again.