Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World
    Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World
    Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World
    Ebook80 pages1 hour

    Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World

    By Jacqueline Piepenhagen

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A great story and guide of how a woman and a dog have grown together and how the experiences that have occurred may help others that are raising a special needs dog, especially a blind one. From the challenges to the amazing moments, this chronicle of a little dog, born blind, has enhanced a woman's life forever. Learn from her great insight and empathize with the difficulties.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJacqueline Piepenhagen
    Release dateMay 26, 2014
    ISBN9781311422644
    Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World

    Related to Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World

    Related ebooks

    Almanacs For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Character Building

      Jul 5, 2022

      Character Building
      4 min read

    • Article

      Bear In mind

      Jun 15, 2023

      Bear In mind
      3 min read

    • Article

      Urine Trouble

      Apr 4, 2021

      Urine Trouble
      2 min read

    • Article

      A for Adoption

      Dec 1, 2019

      A for Adoption
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Unlikely Minimalist

      Jun 3, 2020

      The Unlikely Minimalist
      8 min read

    • Article

      Minimalist

      Jun 3, 2020

      Minimalist
      8 min read

    • Article

      Adopt don’t Shop

      Jan 19, 2023

      Adopt don’t Shop
      10 min read

    • Article

      An Unbreakable Bond

      Jul 12, 2021

      An Unbreakable Bond
      4 min read

    • Article

      Collie Wobbles!

      Sep 3, 2020

      Collie Wobbles!
      2 min read

    • Article

      Do You Speak Doggish?

      Mar 26, 2020

      Do You Speak Doggish?
      5 min read

    • Article

      Young At Heart

      Dec 4, 2017

      YAP CHUI CHIN, 47, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER YAP CHUI YEAN, 45, HOMEMAKER JOY, 12, COCKER SPANIEL After their late 14-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Piero, passed away this June, Yap Chui Chin and her family were too heartbroken to even think about having an

      6 min read

    • Article

      The Dog Whisperer

      Aug 18, 2021

      The Dog Whisperer
      4 min read

    • Article

      Horse Power

      May 19, 2020

      Horse Power
      5 min read

    • Article

      Forever Family

      Apr 24, 2020

      Forever Family
      4 min read

    • Article

      Hear Meowt

      Feb 20, 2020

      There’s nothing harder than bidding your four-legged friend farewell and sending them to the rainbow bridge. The end of our pets’ lives is unfortunately something that most of us deal with at least once throughout our lives. So, what if we could clon

      2 min read

    • Article

      Hey ewe!

      Jan 18, 2024

      Hey ewe!
      2 min read

    • Article

      In Detail

      Mar 25, 2020

      In Detail
      4 min read

    • Article

      We’ve Got Mail

      Apr 6, 2018

      I was very touched by the story A Race Against Time, which featured volunteers who braved the volcanic eruptions at Mount Agung to feed the hungry dogs left behind. The photos told a beautiful story of love and compassion. It takes a big heart to do

      2 min read

    • Article

      Be more Dr Doolittle

      Sep 28, 2021

      Be more Dr Doolittle
      4 min read

    • Article

      Puppy Love

      Aug 28, 2019

      Puppy Love
      11 min read

    • Article

      I Can Speak Cat!

      Jan 30, 2020

      I Can Speak Cat!
      2 min read

    • Article

      Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

      Oct 22, 2021

      Everyone’s ‘vegan awakening’ is different — for Mortimer Sparrow, it took meeting an unexpected, injured soul, to help her to see the truth. Now, Mort dedicates her time to rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds and uses her artistic talent to spread

      4 min read

    • Article

      Our Pets Are HEROES

      Sep 26, 2019

      Our Pets Are HEROES
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Blind Leading the Blind-Living in a Blind Dog's World - Jacqueline Piepenhagen

      PREFACE

      Here is a bit of anecdotal humor on how to pronounce Shah'kah's name.

      Erica, my five-year-old granddaughter (at the time) was extremely serious as she explained in detail to a family friend how to pronounce Shah'kah's strange name. Her exact words from her sweet lips were, Say Chicago. Now leave off the go."

      My heart swelled as I listened to her simple explanation. I couldn't have said it better!

      I have brought the past and the present together in one unique tell-all story titled, BLIND LEADING the BLIND. You will find that the title embraces the tidbits, hints and humor as Shah'kah and I continue to enjoy live in his sightless world.

      With much encouragement, I have written this book to share a valuable lesson in life. Hopefully, it will be a valuable tool or a guide for someone who is now following in my footprints. Or maybe it will be an interesting and entertaining book to discuss when all other topics have been exhausted around the campfire. Then, just maybe my story will help you to decide to be a dedicated pet owner for a blind dog.

      In my eyes, Shah'kah has become the poster puppy for all blind dogs! Now we would like to share our story with you. This is what it is like to live in a blind dog's world.

      ONE

      The Search for the Elusive Book

      I'd like to introduce my little Shih Tzu Shah'kah, (pronounced shah'KAH.) His name comes from the root work shaka which originates from the ancient Hawaiian hand language that means any word used as a positive greeting like hello, welcome and even good-bye.

      Shah'kah and I together have weathered the highs and the lows of living in his blind world. I found I had to be receptive to his wants and needs as he communicated them to me. Life has given me a reality check into the real world of living with a blind dog.

      You may think I was a bit obsessive at times, but not really. With the different veterinarians that have treated Shah'kah, I found it easiest to take his journal for all appointments in order to answer any questions about his habits and behavior. His story now comes to life from my notes in his journal. It includes tidbits, hints and humor…while living in a blind dog's world.

      I often find owner manuals too hard to understand. However, I found there is a second choice. There is always someone on the other end of the customer service line to assist, or so they say.

      As hard as I searched, I failed to locate the elusive book of knowledge, those all exclusive manuals on How To raise a blind dog. However, what I did find was that there is no solid input in writing on raising a dog of any age that has no sight.

      By the time Shah'kah was eight weeks old, I had been given much advice from people from all walks of life. Some of the tidbits and hints were helpful and some…not so useful. At that time, I was already questioning myself whether I was qualified to raise him.

      I found I was overwhelmed and concerned that my husband wouldn't be willing to adjust to changes to our lifestyle that would be needed if we were to keep the little guy. I found our older Shih Tzu, Moshi having difficulty accepting Shah'kah. I found that there are certain criteria in the dog world that must balance if dogs are to get along. Eye contact, butt sniffing and territorial marking are three very important issues in showing dominance in the pecking order. When Shah'kah became a member of our family, I found our oldest Shih Tzu, Little Man Moshi immediately alienated and ignored and even growled periodically putting Shah'kah in his place. What I'm getting at is that not all dogs will eventually take to a handicapped challenged dog. They can sense the difference, and their natural instinct is to avoid. When owners try to intervene, I found more problems can arise.

      Tidbit: NEWS FLASH! I know now why there aren't any books or manuals written on raising blind dogs. Each dog's situation is a trial and error, hit and miss every step of the way. Each day is a new challenge; no two days are ever the same. I often have to remind myself that every dog and its owner are a unique pair. What works for one may not work for another.

      So I feel I must add my disclaimer at this time. I do not claim to know everything about raising a blind dog. I am not a professional by any means. However, what I can write is what I have experienced over the last six and a half years that might be helpful to others.

      I kept a daily journal for the first two years of his little life. We struggled through many days during his early puppy hood. I found I had no idea what I was doing with this special needs pup. What I did know was that he was totally dependent on me, and I was determined to see him survive.

      I made a silent promise to Shah'kah and God that I would give him the best possible chance for a full life. With much encouragement, patience and love we have built an unbreakable bond that would make any blind dog feel invincible.

      Shah'kah was the runt of his litter. His tri-color markings, tiny size and the fact he had been born blind with googlie eyes made him unique and desirable. When people came to check out the litter, it got to a point where I hid him away from prying eyes and itchy fingers that wanted to touch one of Mother Natures awesome flaws.

      In the pages that follow, I want to help answer any questions you may have because Shah'kah and I have probably lived it. My sole intent is to enlighten or at least leave food for thought for anyone who is considering becoming a pet owner, specifically to a blind dog. It takes total commitment and a master's degree in sacrifice. It takes sleeping with one eye open and a willingness to accept what cannot be changed. You must learn to accept the fact that what you want isn't always what you'll get. (Even though I have written this story in reference to the small blind male dog, keep in mind, much of what I've written could be adapted for the sightless female dog as well.

      TWO

      Questions? Questions and More Questions?

      During Shah'kah's first year of life, I found myself often frustrated. I even stepped outside my comfort zone as a pet owner to try and bond with my little guy. I found I had a million questions and no answers on how to help him experience a better life until the day it dawned on me to let him be a dog.

      Granted, I had to make modifications to my lifestyle as to accommodate his needs and found this easy to do. I had to learn how to tune into him so our signals didn't cross. The big one was I needed to learn patience.

      Are you a pushover like most dog lovers who believe all puppies are adorable when first

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1