The Big Sad News

June 6th, 2017

Louie, about 7 weeks old.

This has been a hard post to write, and as I begin, I am still not sure how I am about to say this, so bear with me as I tear this opened:

Louie has a birthday coming up. He will turn 11 on June 23rd, 2017. Louie has been my dog for all but the first 6 weeks of those 11 years, when he was still just his mommy's puppy.

In those 11 years spent with Louie I have learned and grown so much as a person. So much has happened, so much has changed. I have Louie to thank for helping me develop such a strong resolve and a positive attitude, even when life gives me lemons.

Young Louie before his eye surgery.

Blind Louie has an inoperable cancerous tumor. We found out today, June 6th, 2017. There was a lump at the top of his front left leg. In his armpit really. It started to grow quickly and began interfering in the way he was walking. We took him to our vet. Louie's longtime friend and veterinarian. The one who suggested the gentamicin injections to save his eyes from enucleation and stop the pain of glaucoma (Read about that Here and Here). Todd changed our lives that day and we are forever thankful.

Today Dr. Todd said Louie has a cancerous tumor. It can't be removed or stopped. It might grow very rapidly, we can't be sure. He may only have a few weeks. I don't know how to handle this. I don't know how to talk about this. I don't know how to write about it either.

September 21st, 2017

Louie's adorable fish lip, 2012

Louie stayed happy and content for months after his diagnosis. Some pain medicine at night helped him sleep more comfortably. Anti-inflammatory drugs seemed to shrink the tumor some at first, but just for a week or so. The tumor continued to grow. Louie limped more and more until he couldn't move his paw, it just drug on the ground. One day in August, my dad called me crying saying it was time. I went next door to find Louie sunning himself on the porch. When I approached he started wagging his tail and 'looked' at me, he got up and licked my face. He was happy. He ate food, drank water and could walk himself outside and down the stairs to go to the bathroom. I didn't think it was time. He still had joy. I talked to my husband and my parents and said I would know when the time came. I would know when we needed to give him permanent relief from his pain and suffering, but it was not that time yet.

The last few days, the tail wagging is so gentle it barely moves. He doesn't lick me. His paw is raw and bloody from dragging on the ground and his back legs are now weak. He is skinny, although he is still eating. He is sick and so very tired. My heart aches for him. I keep telling him it's okay to go. I'm hoping that he just leaves us in his sleep. I don't think he will. He is too strong willed. With everything he has been through in his life. Living with constant pain is something Louie has always known and accepted. I just can't see him giving up.

Now it is up to me to decide when it is time to let him go. This is one of the hardest decisions I will ever make, I'm sure. I love Louie more than I ever imagined I could love a dog. 

Louie's Thank you card after surgery.

Thank You

I want to thank Michael Nichols (The Dog Guy) for teaching the one and only training class Louie ever took. He taught the class that Louie and I attended in 2012 that earned Louie his AKC Canine Good Citizen title. I was so proud of him when he passed that test, blind as a bat and still the leader of his class.

I also want to thank Todd at Fountain vet for always treating Louie and I like family, and for thinking of a creative way of treating Louie's condition. We are forever grateful.

Thanks to my husband, Paul for accepting blind Louie as his step dog when we got together and always loving him like his very own pup pup.

And so much thanks to my mom and especially my dad. When we moved next door to them Louie decided he liked their porch and house better after we had a small human crawling around the house. My folks never even questioned letting Louie spend so much time there the last few years as he has aged. He went everywhere with my dad and his dog Budde. I appreciate everything they have done for us over the years.

Louie meets Meatloaf, 2012

Thank you to my good friend Meegan, who carefully convinced me to adopting a puppy when her 2 awesome dogs had a litter. Best.Decision.Ever.

Lastly, to fate who allowed me to pick the puppy with the 'blue' eyes who had the best personality. Unknowing that his eyes were not blue, but riddled with glaucoma and rapidly going blind.

Thank you to blind Louie for showing me that life is beautiful no matter your circumstances. We can all choose to be happy. 

Thank you, Blind Louis Bernard Swift Waschke.

I love you, now and forever.

Most handsome and shiny blind dog contest winner.

Through the years we have helped a lot of people who just discovered the adorable puppy they had adopted had glaucoma and would be blind. Through this blog I was able to reach people all over the country and beyond and spread the word that there was another option for treatment of glaucoma in dogs other than removing their eyes. While this treatment did not stop the dog from going blind, it stopped their pain and discomfort.

For most dogs, being blind is no big deal. It's always harder on their humans. Louie has taught me, and hopefully the readers of this blog as well, to take everything in stride. To do your best with the circumstances you are given and be thankful for every moment you have.

Louie being gentle and patient for his 1 year old buddy, Dario. 2014