Interview with Contest Winner: Misfit the Blind Dog

Here is an interview I did with Misfit the Blind Dog's mama, Dana. Misfit's parents, Dana and Morgan have had Misfit since he was a little puppy. Misfit is similar to Louie in many ways. Louie has never had all of his sight and went blind at a very young age. Dana is pretty sure Misfit was born blind. They are both dogs that were never dependent on sight, therefore, never let their blindness hold them back. Even the look of Misfit's eyes reminds me of Blind Louie. Right down to the difference in size, shape and shade between the left and the right eyes. I wish we could meet Misfit outside of the internet, but here we are in the Pacific Northwest and Misfit is all the way in Maryland. Please be sure to find Misfit on Facebook for more photos: www.facebook.com/MisfitTheBlindDog and while you're at it, make sure you've liked the Life with Blind Louie page too! www.facebook.com/LifewithBlindLouie,

Hi Dana, Thanks for taking the time to tell us a little bit about your story.  How did you hear about Life with Blind Louie?
"We were contacted on Misfit’s Facebook page by Louie to enter his “Love Is Blind” photo contest."

When and how did you meet your dog?
"It was actually a very unexpected and unplanned introduction. Morgan was looking to adopt a dog, and her sister’s boyfriend’s dobies had just had a litter of puppies. Morgan’s sister knew she was looking for a dog, and offered her one of the puppies. The mother of the puppies killed two of her blind pups (6 others were sighted puppies and found homes as well) When Morgan picked out the blue Doberman she had no idea he was blind."

When and how did your dog’s eye problems come about? What were some early signs and observations?
"Well, Morgan first noticed he was blind as soon as she had him in her car to take him home. He started bobbling his head as though he could not focus on anything, so this started some suspicion. Then when she got him home, he would walk timidly and as though he had no idea where he was. When he started to walk a little more freely she noticed him running into anything in his path. Also, his eyes were oddly colored…a very pale bright blue and he had no pupils. At the time we thought it was just a “puppyism” because he was only 7 weeks old (she got him this early because Morgan’s sister feared the mom may turn on him as well) The first day Morgan picked him up was October 13th, 2012. Needless to say, Dana was not fully in the picture at this time. Within 1 month she became completely involved."

Have you had to do any surgery's or treatments?
We have not done any treatments as of now. The blindness does not interfere with his everyday life. He still plays with toys and other dogs, runs around the yard and cuddles as though he is a sighted dog. Unless you either look at his eyes or are told, you cannot tell he is blind. We have decided to take him to an ophthalmologist, which is an eye doctor for dogs. We are hoping they will be able to tell us what caused the blindness and what complications/treatments may come about."

Do you have any other pets in the house? Kids?
"We do have another pet! We have an American Short Hair kitty cat. His name is Willis and Misfit can track him down in an instant. He uses the bell on Willis’ collar to find him! It’s amazing how easily he can chase him even though he can’t see him. They never harm each other, they just get on each other’s nerves (or more like Misfit gets on Willis’ nerves)."

How did Misfit deal with vision loss?
"Since he was born with his blindness he adapted amazingly well, almost too well. He is such a picture of inspiration and perseverance. He does not fear things; he walks into all new experiences with such trust in himself and us as his guide humans."
 
How does Misfit get around without being able to see?
"Very well, perfect. He can hear us walk and can follow us by the sound of our footsteps. The only time he has problems is in crowded and fairly unknown places, such as the dog park. There are people there that move around and change places on him so he cannot have the placement of obstacles memorized since it does changes, so every now and then he will run into people full force."

Can you tell us one story of a time you were really impressed with your dog’s navigation ability?
"There are so many times he has navigated so well that we were amazed. It is almost impossible to pin point one. But to give you one instance, he used to live at a house with a pellet stove. Morgan did all she could to teach him that he could not go near it for fear of him burning himself. One day she did not have it barricaded off, but still as soon as he walked up onto the tile the pellet stove was on, he immediately turned around and walked away. Also, sometimes when he is running around the yard he will get so close to running into something, but as soon as he gets about 2 centimeters away from it, he stops, backs up and chooses another path."

Are the risks and struggles involved in having a blind dog, both emotional and financial, worth enduring? What are some things that make it worth it?
"There is nothing that could cause us to not want to take care of him. I believe we love him so much that we would sell the clothes of our back to make his life comfortable. What makes us so passionate about him and him so worthy of love is the small things he does during a day. Such as the first time he discovers that he can stick his head out of a car window, or the first time he encounters snow and wants to eat it or even getting in the pool for the first time. Being able to be there for every single one of his “firsts” is what makes him worth every struggle there is."

Tell us about your site and where we can contact you and follow your story?
Our site is on Facebook. The link is www.facebook.com/misfittheblinddog. You can follow his daily adventures and help us spread the word that disabled animals are just as loving and lovable as “normal” animals on his Facebook. In order to contact us you can personal message us on his Facebook or send us an e-mail at misfittheblinddog@gmail.com. We also currently have a fundraising project going on. We are raising money for the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance. Our current goal is $200. If you would like to donate you can send a donation of $3-$5 to misfittheblinddog@gmail.com on PayPal or go to http://www.gofundme.com/misfitsmasterpiece. For each donation we will be sending a “pawtographed” photograph of Misfit to the person who donated.