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"View From A Bark"

Hello - It's me, Buddy-Ray

Hello to All!

It's been a very long time since I've posted an entry. Much has been going on with me. I am going to be 12 years old this Thursday! My humans are throwing me a party with several of my friends and my sister, Tina-Louise! And, I am totally blind!

Let me back track a little. About two years ago, I started having a problem seeing with my left eye. I started missing steps and sometimes I'd run into things. My humans took me to a wonderful veterinary opthamologist, Dr. Lavach. He informed my humans that I had a hereditary disease - lens luxation, a disease common to Jack Russells! WOW! That hit both me and my humans like a ton of dog bones! Dr. "Dan", as he likes to be called, told my humans that I would eventually lose the sight in my left eye. I still had great vision in my right eye, but the bad news was that eventually the disease would move to the right eye and I'd lose my sight in that eye as well. Dr. Dan said that there was surgery that could be performed; however, he felt that there was only a 50% chance it would work on me. If it did not work, then my eye would have to be removed. Thank Goodness my humans decided NOT to proceed with the surgery, 'cause I think woulda looked pretty strange without an eye! Being blind is not good, but I still have my pretty brown eyes.

Continuing on, about a year ago I became completely blind in both eyes. I've adjusted very well. The thing that bothered me the most about not being able to see was chasing my tennis ball. However, with my great sense of smell and the patience of my humans, I've been able to overcome that! My human dad taught me left and right. My humans will throw the ball 6-10 feet and I can sniff it out with my "sniffer" and then the humans will tell me left or right, and I can usually find it. Okay, so they can't "launch" the ball at the dog park for me any longer, buts it's OKAY - I still get a "little" chase in! I've been in the same house for 6 years so I know where my bed and toys are, and my food and water bowls! Of course, we Jacks are a "vain" tribe. We never like to admit that anything could possibly be wrong with us. So, when my humans' friends come over, I just pretend as though I can still see. I usually can fool them unless I run into a wall or a piece of furniture, which every now and then I can't help but doing. I just don't want anyone feeling sorry for me - I get along pretty darn good.

And, another thing that has truly been a blessing in my life line is my "new to me" sister. She is part Bassett and part Beagle, so she's a "Bagel!" My humans acquired her from an elderly friend of theirs that could not take care of her any longer. My sister's name is Tina-Louise. Although she just turned 11, I think Tina-Louise is in the prime of her life. She was a service dog for nine years, and she really helps me out. Sometimes, I get confused in our backyard and my humans will tell her, "Tina-Louise, go get Buddy-Ray". Out she comes to find me and "herd" me back into the house. She's very patient and loving. When my mom told me she was part Bassett and part Beagle I decided she'd always be the "Bagel" to me and, sometimes my humans even call her "Bagel Girl!" She is 44 inches long from head to tail, thus, the name Tina-Louise - Tina for her first half, and Louise for the second half of her long, endless body. She's only about 14-15 inches high. I love to lay beside her and rest my head on her softness as she's very cuddly! We used to play together when I was sighted so it wasn't like having a stranger in my house! I just really love her and am so glad she and I can spend our golden years together. However, just like a woman, Tina-Louise doesn't like to admit her age. She likes to run, play, and takes several very long walks a day. She loves to take me with her and the humans, and I gladly go. Afterall, it's good for us older guys to get out and walk - keeps our joints strong and our hearts healthy!

Well, I've brought you up on what's going on with me. I'll write more after my big birthday party this Thursday.

Until then - Here's Barkin' at ya! Buddy-Ray

WOOF! I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T WRITTEN IN ALMOST A WHOLE- YEAR!

Hello everybody! I can't believe it's been almost a whole year since I've let ya' in on my life! Wow! It's really close to my 9th birthday and I can't wait 'cause Mommy always makes it a very special day for me.

Since my last entry lots has happened in my life and the life of our family. My MIMI, (that was my Mommy's mom), went to be with all the pets she had in her life on May 15, 2007. I know her last dog, "Little Cesar" was probably real happy to see her 'cause she missed him so much. My MIMI would have celebrated her 91st birthday in June, but she just couldn't hang on any longer. It made my mommy pretty sad so I stuck pretty close to her once she got back to Reno from Tulsa. I had to make sure she was gonna' be okay! She misses her Mom but I'm there to get her through the tough days.

Then, Merri, my Mommy, had some pretty serious back surgery at the end of July. She had to spend several days in the hospital after her surgery before Daddy brought her home. She was mostly in bed for about a week, so I was right there on the bed with her, snuggled up to her side in case she needed me for anything. Mommy would tell me all day long that having me so close to her was making her feel so much better. Slowly, Mommy and I began going out for little walks. Now Mommy can walk up to about 5 miles - but that's a little too far for me.

Over the Labor Day holiday, Mommy and Daddy took me on a car trip to Mammoth Lakes, California. We stayed at a "time share" and we had a really great time. I actually spent a lot of time out side with Mommy and Daddy on walks and the highlight of my trip was "treeing" squirrels and chipmunks! That is total delight for a Jack Russell.

Today is Friday, and Mommy is taking me to the office with her. I can't wait. There is so much to explore and Mommy works right across the street from the Truckee River which has a great walking path. I'd better hurry up and get ready to go. I've got to pack my tennis balls and a couple of other favorite toys.

Until next time - Here's barkin' at 'ya!

BUDDY RAY

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Hello Readers an Writers:

Today is my 8th Birthday. Wow, what a special day. After I woke up today my human mom, Merri, took me outside for a walk and our wonderful next door neighbor, Mitchie, who takes me for walks, left me a present on her front porch! It was a bright color little birthday bag and inside was a new tennis ball and a card from her! Thank you Mitchie - You know I love tennis balls!

What a day this is going to be. Mommy and Daddy promised me a short run in the park with my tennis ball, and a trip to PETS R US to pick out a new toy! Then it will be a short nap with Mommy and more fun! I even got an extra treat today after my walk! Boy, I'm one lucky guy!

If anyone else is havin' a birthday today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Until Next Time, "Here's Barkin' at ya!"

BUDDY RAY