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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

My beloved labrador is almost totally blind:-(

144 replies

dottytablecloth · 21/02/2015 20:04

He's 11 and the vet says there is nothing we can do to help his sight.

His sight has deteriorated over the last few years but he's almost totally blind now.

The problem is we feel his quality of life is poor as he can't see where he's going and crashes into things which results in him helping painfully.

It's not possible for him to live indoors as we have two small children and there isn't the space. We always made sure he got two long walks everyday but he can't really walk very well now as he stumbles over the kerb and trips along.

Am I being selfish keeping him like this? My beautiful, strong, agile boy has gone and I'm heartbroken.

Sad

I can't think about it too much as when we got him he bounded around so full of life and vitality and now we can't even let him off the lead as he walks in front of people, cyclists etc and is basically a danger. It makes me really sad and I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
lemisscared · 22/02/2015 22:36

is the dog still outside? i assume the children are in bed. Bring him in for the night at least?

Original poster
dottytablecloth · 22/02/2015 22:38

I'm really,sorry that I'm upsetting so many people. It's really not my intention.

OP posts:
PepperPotts · 22/02/2015 22:39

Please bring him in, it's freezing and I am crying reading this. What does space and hair matter? Really?

Original poster
dottytablecloth · 22/02/2015 22:40

He's not outside without shelter. He's in a kennel enclosure that we had built for him, with a wooden kennel inside that.

I wish I hadn't posted about this now.

Sorry

OP posts:
omletta · 22/02/2015 22:41

Please, please bring him in. He would take up no space.

honeyroar · 22/02/2015 22:42

We have two labs in a two up two down. We also have children. And a Hoover. It's not difficult!

Poor thing. All he would need is a bed in a corner and a bit of reassurance and he would learn to adjust.

monkeyfacegrace · 22/02/2015 22:43

Where the fuck are you OP? Just give us your county. I'll come get the fucking dog if you are within an hour of me.

Fwiw I have 3 kids, am heavily preg and childmind and still wouldn't put a bloody dog outside.

ambercat · 22/02/2015 22:45

I really don't understand how you can own a dog for so long and then just turf him outside when he's old and at his most vulnerable, he is part of your family surely? He must be so so sad. Poor old boy

lemisscared · 22/02/2015 22:49

does he have any heating? come on op - you are clearly upset about your dog. please just bring him in for tonight give him cuddles and take him to the vet tomorrow. Dogs are social animals and don't like being alone. You want to do the best for him so do this one kindness.

Is your dh preventing you from bringing him in?

omletta · 22/02/2015 22:51

Please pm me where you are. If I can I will come and get him, and although I think you are unbelievably selfish I will resists the urge to demonstrate this.

How could you possibly have had time to do two good walks but not to hoover?

I've been on MN for years - this is the first thing I've ever read on here which has made me cry.

monkeyfacegrace · 22/02/2015 22:52

Omletta I've pmd OP too. Hopefully she will reply with a location.

omletta · 22/02/2015 22:53

Cheers monkeyface - please let me know, I am heartbroken.

tipsytrifle · 22/02/2015 22:55

Please google labrador rescue and find a charity near enough to you who might help give this lovely being some comfort and companionship. Many, many blind dogs live happy and fulfilled lives with people set up to deal with this condition.

Ironic that we use gorgeous Labs to guide and companion the human blind, eh?

Alternatively contact one of the posters here as you have been invited to do.

tipsytrifle · 22/02/2015 22:56

give help/home not help give

landrover · 22/02/2015 22:57

Of course you have room inside, what nonsense! yes the hair can be a nuisance, but its just hair! If it makes you feel any better, I have a ten year old newfoundland who is now feacully (not spelt right!) incontinent. Yep its unpleasant when you get up in the morning, but we don't care coz we love him to bits and he is happy !!

Boomf · 22/02/2015 23:00

Dear oh dear

I hope someone can take the dog off you

Gymbob · 22/02/2015 23:05

I have cried too over this. I had to go and disturb my dog who was snoring on the sofa and tell him how much I love him after reading this.

you're not going to relent are you op? he has no heating either does he? he's locked in an enclosure. he is part of your family and needs your company as he nears the end of his life. I am beyond sad.

will you tell us where you are, just the county? maybe one of us can help. I can't get into private messaging with you, I want to remain civil if I can.

Marcipex · 22/02/2015 23:06

I've never read anything sadder than this.

ObsidianEagle · 22/02/2015 23:07

do not put the poor thing to sleep.

rehome him at least, to someone who has the time and love for an old blind boy.

disgusting, really.. you should have rehomed him two years ago rather than chuck him outside like last weeks newspaper.

honeyroar · 22/02/2015 23:17

"We feel his quality of life is poor.." It is, but it's nothing to do with his blindness. I keep looking at my 9yr old lab in front of the fire imagining shoving her out in a kennel where she can't see.

Both my labs were rescues, re homed because the previous owner had a baby. If you can't re home him put him down. His current life is no good. But don't think you were doing the best thing, you are doing it for yourself not him.

MrsSchadenfreude · 22/02/2015 23:25

This is so sad. Please let someone who will love the dog, and keep him in a warm place this winter, take him off your hands.

Selks · 22/02/2015 23:27

This is the saddest thread I have ever read on MN.
I had a lovely Lab who went blind. She lived for many happy years once she adjusted.
OP you have not given a valid reason why the poor dog is outside. You are being horribly cruel. Sad

monkeyfacegrace · 22/02/2015 23:29

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Adarajames · 22/02/2015 23:31

Come on op, tells us the area you live in, I volunteer with various rescues and non would leave an old dog alone like this, let us help him o find a warm living home for however long he has left SadAngry

Original poster
dottytablecloth · 22/02/2015 23:36

monkey you didn't give me that information in your message. You said you'd drive and get the dog.

How could you drive across the water?

I thanked you for your attempt and offer of help.

OP posts: