My beloved labrador is almost totally blind:-(

[dottytablecloth]

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.

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.

oh wow ... dotty and Gymbob i am so proud of you both!! Thank you thank you thank you! Huge love to you both and of course to Dog and his new guide. Awesome.

THIS is why LIFE is so good xxx

that sounds so pompous, I just meant positive messages not negative

Wonderful news, I've been thinking of the dog all day. Fingers crossed and do update please

That's lovely news!

Aw lovely I think dogs have a natural instinct to guide I have seen them guiding another blind dog before.

So pleased.

Good. Well done Gymbob!

Such fabulous news!

Gymbob has been a total bloody star, thank you for all the hard work I know you have put in Just amazing.

And Dotty I hope everything goes smoothly, I know this can't be easy for you. It sounds like your dog is going to have a wonderful life, it is such an amazing opportunity for him. Hopefully life is going to be much less stressful for you all and that can only be a good thing.

Gymbob this is great news

Will we get an update (perhaps on a new thread) when he arrives in his new home?

I'm so pleased to hear this. Well done.

Gymbob, you are the bomb! Thanks to dotty for allowing her old boy a chance at a new life. Many many prayers that things will go smoothly..please let us know..xx

I have just RTWT which made me cry as I listen to my 10 year old lab snoring in her bed next to the fire.

OP, I have no kind words really.

Gymbob, you are fantastic.

Thank you Gymbob
Thank you dotty

hi, thanks all, I haven't really done anything apart from make a few phone calls. it's really up to dotty now. its the charity that is going to give the dog a new life that is fab.

When we have a happy ending to this, I'd like to publicise the charity, they have a just giving page, they do the most fantastic work. I had no idea about it. if we could raise a bit towards what they do it would be great.

I will keep everyone updated on the situation xxx

That's a good idea, Gymbob, I'm passionate about dog charities and very happy to donate to the one you mention.

Great result Gymbob. Well done. I haven't been able to get this poor dog out of my mind either. Even vacuuming and washing my floors for the umpteenth time as a result of my two labs insisting on chasing squirrels/imaginary friends etc in our muddy garden. I moan about them but know that hair and mud and mess is part and parcel of having dogs.

Me too Cider. Lovely natured dogs and babies/children do mix, even with a bit lot of dog hair thrown in. I had a NICU baby with varying issues and neutropenia, throwing my loving, trusting, loyal friend of a dog outside would happen over my dead body. The time to consider rehoming is not now, it should have been when the first baby came along if the hair/size was a problem, not now when it is old and blind.

I am really confused about why the OP is being thanked.

I usually only post if I can be supportive and really try not to be negative at all, the old if you can't say something nice, trick.

I have no words.

So glad to hear that this has been sorted.
I just came on to say a 'lost' blind lab has just turned up on my local Facebook page ( South Bucks) and I thought of this thread.

Are you able to post the name of the charity? Thanks.

hi, I don't know if I am allowed, does anyone else know?

Perhaps best not to publicise just now? Better when all is properly sorted. It's like an ongoing case type situation atm, sort of ... just my opinion. Ask advice of MNHQ?

how do I ask MNHQ?

I suppose the quickest way to get to them might be via reporting one of your recent posts? Make sure and choose the "other" option and write a brief question in the box on what they reckon by way of naming the charity?

thanks tipsy I will do that

Gymbob, do you have an update on the dog?