Happy Tails: The Story of Chesney

Our story today comes out of BC from the Animal Advocates Society:

Little blind Chesney lived in a dysfunctional home…

…where he was screamed at for barking, and kicked if he got in the way or ever had an accident. When he was screamed at, he would pee on the floor with fear, then he would be hit or kicked, then he would pee again, and so the cycle continued. Chesney just couldn’t figure out what he was doing wrong and why his family treated him this way.

A social worker who was visiting the home on a regular basis felt very sorry for Chesney and noticed that he could barely see. She asked the family if they had taken him to a vet to get his eyes checked out and they laughed at her. She offered to take Chesney herself and pay for it, so they didn’t object.

After a visit to the eye specialist, who said the cataracts that were seriously interfering with his vision may have been caused by a genetic defect or trauma (the many kicks to his head), the social worker called the family and told them that Chesney needed thousands of dollars to get him back to full health. The family said that they didn’t want Chesney back, so the wonderful social worker is fostering him for AAS while we raise the money for cataract surgery. Chesney is only two years old, a long time to live without being able to see.

April 2007:

Thanks to a generous AAS supporter, Chesney had both eyes operated on. At his second post surgery examination eye specialsit, Dr. Ford, said, “His eyes look fantastic!”

Prior to his cataract surgery, Chesney could hardly see from one eye, and could not see at all from the other. His lack of sight caused him to feel frightened, insecure and in physical pain -often running into fences and poles. Ouch!! He cried a lot.

The day of his surgery, the fabulous doctors at West Coast Veterinary Eye Specialists watched him awake from his anaesthesia and look around for the first time.

What a rewarding job, to give an animal sight!

When Chesney returned home that day, we watched him look around his domain for the first time. Our cat Sasha sensed something had happened to him, and for the first time cuddled behind him as they both slept together.

As the days pass, his eyesight improves. He doesn’t mind his cone as it is totally transparent and he is very comfortable accepting his various eye drops. He even chases his ball now when before he could only sniff around for it.

Words cannot express our gratitude towards Animal Advocates Society for ultimately giving Chesney sight! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! What a miracle it is to have young Chesney see!

Mary and Rita

If you would like to see YOUR pet’s Happy Tail here in our weekly Happy Tails blog please send it (800 words or less) with pictures to:

janettehamilton@bell.net

Don’t Forget to Hug Your Pet!

Janette