Learning to Say "Hello" with the Nose
~ A Story of Charis, an Inspirationally Blind Toy Poodle ~
By Snow (a.k.a. Charis' Mom)
One December afternoon, Charis took a peaceful nap as usual. When she woke up, everything had changed. She had become completely blind, so there was no hint of the tones and shapes she had always known. The darkness now consumed her little world, casting a shroud over all the old things.
Charis must have wondered, "Is it already nighttime? Why hasn't Mommy turned on the light?"
Charis, a toy poodle, had been diagnosed with glaucoma eight months before, at which time I was told that blindness was inevitable. At the time I felt certain I'd be ready for whatever might happen. Yet, when I found Charis standing still at one spot shaking with fear and confusion, it seemed my whole world had gone dark as well.
In that instant of my baby's dread, I wanted to cry and scream. However, I knew Charis was more afraid than I was, and that more than ever she needed my positive, loving energy. So, I stayed calm . . . or at least I pretended to be calm. I pulled myself together and began to consider the situation as fully as I could.
Charis appeared as if she had forgotten how to walk. I took her front legs and alternately moved them with cheering words, "One, two, one, two, . . . ." After a while she began to take some steps by herself, while I crawled along directly above her. (I know, it's a funny picture now, as I look back.) Charis is so smart, though, because in a couple of minutes she learned that "One, two, one, two" was a command to take steps.
The following couple of days were spent rearranging the entire house so that it would be as safe as possible for my newly blind little Charis. I installed carpet runners for every route, ramps for all couches and the bed, a soft cushion at every projecting corner, and so forth. Meanwhile, Charis began to act less afraid. After about two weeks she was able to find her water bowl by herself, and she could negotiate the ramps independently.
A highlight of the period for us happened one morning while I was in the kitchen doing the dishes. I had left her asleep on the couch in the living room, but suddenly I felt something touching my leg. And there was Charis, sniffing at me! She had descended the ramp, navigated the course from the living room to the kitchen, and found me all by herself! When I recognized her arrival, she demonstrated her joy and pride by wagging her tail as fast as she could. How did I feel? It wouldn't be possible to describe the extent of euphoria (not just happiness, but euphoria!) and pride when I saw her there, sniffing my leg! It was as if the light had returned to our world.
It's been almost six months since the initial incident. Since then, in addition to going through a surgical procedure for glaucoma (which is daunting enough by itself), Charis has had to re-learn everything through a lot of daily training, and that included the redevelopment of her auditory and olfactory senses. Over the past couple of weeks, however, it has seemed that all the hard work has paid off. She has regained her normal happy life - no more training, no more surprises or confusion.
Through this experience, what amazed me most was the measure of courage, resilience and intelligence a little Charis could display! I now realize I have greatly underestimated her for all these years. Despite all the difficulty, she was never mean or difficult. She never stopped being the gentle, happy creature she was meant to be. She really knows how to live in the moment, finding and taking in only the good things around her. She has taught and inspired me about life more than anybody or anything I've known. She truly is my perfect angel from Heaven.
Snow has been a member of ALLN since 2003. Snow and Charis live in Indiana and Snow visits the ALLN chats often and offers her calming support to others.
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