The Dumb Friends League, where I adopted both Elmer and Teddy, published a ‘VIP’ piece on Elmer a few weeks ago. They sent me a list of questions and used my answers to highlight Elmer’s new life in his new forever home. They were space limited though, and could only use bits and pieces, so I thought it would be fun to publish all of my answers and give a more detailed look at Elmie’s new life!
Here’s the DFL piece, and the full Q&A is below. Spoiler alert: He’s doing awesome 😉 Blind to Disability, She Saw the Right Dog
Tell us about your fostering experience. I’ve been fostering with DFL for about 2 years. I started with dogs, but now mostly just foster kittens in the summertime. I love fostering with DFL- everyone in the foster department is so kind and supportive (and two former DFL employees have become my friends and dog sitters!). There’s also an amazing network of volunteers who are really there for each other. Becoming a DFL foster was like making a hundred new friends, instantly!
What went through your mind when you first saw Elmer? I really didn’t think I was ready to adopt another dog. My cocker girl Sally had just passed away about a month before from cancer and I was still grieving. Also my other dog Teddy seemed to be enjoying life as an ‘only child’ so I planned to wait a few months before adopting again. But, of course, I was still looking at the DFL website on a regular basis because I couldn’t help myself.
The moment I saw Elmer online I knew he was mine. I had two rescued cocker spaniels before him, and I just love that breed. I’ve also had two dogs with sight problems, both of whom ultimately lost an eye to glaucoma… so it just felt meant to be. I knew I could handle the challenges of a blind dog, and I knew he would be a total sweetheart. It was a Thursday afternoon and I decided to take one night to sleep on it, just to be certain (although, I was already pretty sure!). I woke up decided, and that afternoon Teddy, my mom, and I headed straight to DFL after work.
My mom kept Teddy in the waiting area while I went in the back to meet Elmer. He was sitting in his little bed very quietly. He had a soft squeaky toy but he wasn’t playing with it. I sat there and let him sniff my hand and pretty soon I was hugging him and telling him he was about to go home, and he played with his toy a little bit. He was reserved and seemed a little confused or sad, but obviously very sweet and friendly. One of the volunteers brought him out on a leash to meet my other dog, to make sure they were fine together, and they were, so we were ready to go home! And I have to mention, I’m really glad I got there when I did because another couple came while the dogs were having their “meet n’ greet”. It was their second time coming in to see Elmer and they wanted to adopt him that night as well.
Was being at the League particularly hard on a blind dog? I imagine it was very frightening for him. It’s hard to comprehend what it must be like to spend six years in a home, then suddenly you’re in a strange place, in pain, and you can’t even see your surroundings. I’m thankful that he received so much love from the volunteers and other visitors while he was there. He’s a very social dog and I know that must have been a big comfort for him.
With so many dogs at the League, what made you think he was the one to bring home? I am a sucker for special needs dogs. I’ve only ever had rescue pets, but I always find myself really drawn to the ones that are going to need extra love. I keep telling myself that my next dog will be an “easy” one, but it somehow never happens.
How old is he? Elmer is only 6, so we should have many years left together!
What breed? He’s a chocolate cocker spaniel. Technically he’s tri-color, he has a tiny spots of light brown on his face, but he’s 99% dark brown and white.
What happened to his eyes?/How did he come to the League? The only information I have is what was included in his adoption papers and what I’ve learned from other volunteers through the Facebook page, but apparently he was dropped off at a shelter in Northeastern Colorado with two very painful eyes and a mouthful of dental disease. The shelter there didn’t have the resources to help him, and so DFL (wonderful, amazing DFL!) took him in. He was already completely blind, so removing the eyes was the right choice. Over the course of two days he had both eyes removed, all but seven teeth pulled, and was neutered. A rough two days, but once he healed I’m sure he felt so much better.
How did he cope with a new environment when you brought him home? He was very anxious, which of course made sense. By the second day he had started to settle in a little bit, and was “mapping” out the house and yard. But he still seemed overly anxious, which was upsetting for me. I wanted him to be relaxed and happy! We had a vet appointment to have the sutures removed from his face that next week, so I talked to my vet and we put him on some mild anti-anxiety medication to help him adjust. It made a huge difference! He still has moments of acute anxiety where he starts to circle, but they’re pretty rare- and it’s easy to redirect his attention and snap him out of it. For the most part he’s a chill little dude.
He now has the first floor and the yard mapped so well that sometimes you forget he’s blind. He’s in and out of that doggy door like he can actually see it! We’re currently working on the stairs and the upstairs. He’s ADORABLE climbing the stairs. I taped bubble wrap over the carpet at the top of the stairs, so he can learn that when he feels that under his paws, there are stairs in front of him.
What routine have you developed? When I wake up in the morning Elmer is usually still snoring away on the couch. He goes CRAZY for food, so I try to prepare his bowl before he wakes up- otherwise he’s like a ping pong ball (literally) bouncing off the walls. He eats and then I immediately lure him outside (dry cheerios are his special “get busy” treat). We’re still working on housetraining. He’s very smart and I think he knows he’s supposed to go outside… but he’s a cocker spaniel and so sometimes he just goes wherever he feels like… which is usually the kitchen floor.
I have a “puppy cam” so I can keep an eye on the boys while I’m at work, and I know he spends a lot of time napping on the couch, but when it’s nice he’ll spend the whole day outside. I have a love seat and arm chairs outside that he jumps up in to nap in the sunshine. He seems to really love the sunshine on his face, even though he can no longer see it.
In the evenings after their dinner I like to give him ‘brain games’ where he works to get at his treats, or I let him go upstairs to do some ‘mapping’. Both of these keep him busy and tire him out. Snuggle time on the couch is a must- he curls up in my lap and snores. And he never begs for food, which is great because this is usually when I finally have time to eat.
How does he impact your life, and you, his? Elmer has had such an impact on me. He’s been through so much yet he’s still so sweet and loving. This is a lesson that pretty much every single dog can teach us, but I feel like Elmer has gone through a little more of the bad stuff. I try not to spend too much time thinking about how scared he was, or how much pain he was in. He’s happy now and that’s probably all that matters to him, so it should be all that matters to me as well. Working with him has also been a good reminder to me to be more patient, which is honestly something I’ve always struggled with.
And of course I hope my impact on his life has been nothing but positive. I think he’s happy, and I keep him well-fed and well-loved!
Where does he sleep? He sleeps in the living room with my other dog (who prefers to sleep downstairs or even outside). This is mostly because he’s not 100% housetrained yet, and also because I don’t want him navigating the stairs when I’m not there to keep an eye on him (my room is on the second floor). He jumps on and off the couch like a champ, and this way he’s really close to the doggy door too. Other than the stairs, he has free run of the house and yard at all times.
Do you have other pets, and how do they get along with Elmer? I have one other dog, Teddy. He’s a husky/yellow lab mix who also came from DFL (Spring 2016, his name was Cree and he came in with a group of retired sled dogs, if anyone remembers him). They get along fine, although they don’t interact much. Teddy grumbles at him sometimes when he’s asleep on the floor and Elmer comes along and bumps into him, but overall they get along. They eat together and share toys and treats nicely. Elmer is really more of a people-dog.
Is there any little story you’d like to relate about him? The night Elmer came home he had two little handmade blankets with him that a volunteer had gifted him. There was no name, just a note asking that the blankets be sent home with him when he was adopted. I’ve asked around but have never found out who made them. If anyone knows, Elmer and I would LOVE to send that kind person a thank you note! He loves his blankets, and snuggles with them on the couch.
Do you still foster dogs and how does Elmer get along with them? Do you only foster, say, puppies, or only older dogs? I haven’t had any foster pets since Elmer came, but I’m looking forward to introducing him to kittens this summer. He’s so gentle, I’m sure they’ll be climbing all over him in no time!
Ain’t he great? I am so so so lucky to have this little dude as part of my pack. He brings me so much happiness and love!!
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Hi Barb, loved your story of Elmer. Thank you for sharing. My husband and I have a soft spot for Cocker’s too. Our Cocker, Penny also lost her eyesight to Glaucoma. It amazed us at how well she got around the house and yard. Good memories of our pup. Give Elmer a hug and a kiss for use. Lori
Thank you- I will!!