Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The greatest comfort.



Open the shutters to see great billows of rain blowing in from the Bay of Biscay. Ocean rain. Grey and chill. It comes just in time to save the acanthus and most of the roses but not the lavender. From the chorus of croaks and quacks that greeted us it was difficult to say whether the frogs or the ducks were enjoying it more.

Trip to the fire hydrant completed, Wilf took the executive decision that this was a day to be spent in the kitchen. He communicated this to us by lying in the middle of the floor, by the ancient cooker, and ignoring all requests to move. A day for making La blanquette de lotte au safran de Juliette and crumble mangue, ananas et gingembre. He showed particular, lip smacking , interest in the quiche poireau-stilton. If the rolling tongue is anything to go by Stilton ranks way up there with coconut ice cream as Gods greatest gift to canine kind.


Three weeks on and he's still learning to cope with total blindness. Sometimes, after lunch, when he wakes from a deep, rabbit chasing, sleep and finds himself still in pitch darkness, he'll cry out. A trying to hide his fear ' where are you, come and get me' type of bawl - half bark, half howl. Sometimes his antics are amusing - a gentle game of dodgems with the furniture or a stubborn unwillingness to accept that a door isn't where he thinks it is. No wonder he's known as wilful Wilf. At other times it's sadder. A large white paw gently waving in mid-air, testing for obstacles in front of him. Coming for treats held in your hand - and missing. An uncharacteristic, startled, shying away from sudden, unfamiliar, noises. Through it all we maintain a constant banter of encouragement, praise, and reassurance. In the dark the greatest comfort is the friendly, familiar sound that says you're not alone. There's someone beside you . That's a simple, universal, wish shared by all sentient beings - human or otherwise.

36 comments:

  1. Those are some great pictures today!

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  2. Angus. I start off laughing out loud at your kitchen helper and now I must drive into Paris wiping my eyes with a tissue and thinking of the large white paw waving in the air. Bon courage Wilf.
    Sylvie et Thibault.

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  3. More than true. My old Scottie when he lost his vision depended on scent. He never wished to leave his block and all the familiar scents. From walking all over the town we suddenly found ourselves on the same old square, seeing those we knew. He was OK there.

    Jo in MN

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  4. Oh...gosh...I hate to hear Wilf be unhappy in the middle of the night. My old dog became blind but it was so gradual that she adjusted very very well. I feel bad for him that its happened so suddenly. I know you will comfort him as much as possible.

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  5. I don't suppose I'll be the only reader a wee bit misty eyed this morning reading of dear Wilf's attempts to adjust to his loss of sight.
    At least he has Stilton - a pleasure that improves with age, and that blindness cannot dim.
    Gail.

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  6. aaaah, bless him. such a lovely dog.

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  7. We're a bit teary, but know that where there's Stilton there's happiness.......that goes for other cheeses as well.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  8. Bouncing Bertie is right, they are not the only ones...And Wilf knows that in those moments of uncertainty he has you and 'the font' there for him.

    PS: Glad you got your much needed rain!

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  9. Hey there Mongoose...
    That tongue is quite something. Whew!
    I came across a REALLY good tip recently, and I'd imagine that it would go down extremely well with a blind dog:
    Fill an old continental pillow-case with your old clothes - the ones you no longer need. If the clothes are too bulky, cut them up before you put them in the pillow-case. Get someone to stitch it up (or do so yourself) and give it to Wilfey, as a dog-bed. Apparently dogs love these, because the smell of their humans remains close to them and can be especially comforting to them when they are sleeping.
    It's just an idea...:)
    Sending lotsaluv to you all at what must be a very difficult time.
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  10. So poignant. The image of Wilf waving his paw in mid-air is heartbreaking but we know he is getting so much more love and care than many other dogs would in his situation.

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  11. Wilf so sweet with his bunny....and so lucky to have you...
    xoxo

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  12. Today's post made me laugh and cry. Sending hugs to our sweet boy Wilf.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  13. Crying again, here. Wilf's condition and your loving care of him have found tears hidden so deeply in us we didn't know they existed.
    The vision has dimmed but the palate has not! A home full of delightful tastes and mouthwatering scents provides excellent sensory input in the absence of vision. It's the eve of your birthday, dear Wilf. Treats (delectable but healthy) for all! We love you, dear.

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  14. Comfort and encouragement amid stormy calamity. The menu sounded wonderful!

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  15. Add me to the teary-eyed this morning. Today's images -- the howl and the white paw -- will stay in my mind and heart -- relieved only by knowing how kindly you reassure dear Wilf that he is not alone.

    xxx Joan

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  16. I love that picture with his tongue over his nose! Bunny has a similarly gifted tongue. It never ceases to amuse me!

    I think a mix of humor helps us all to cope with devastating changes, whether it happens to us or to someone we love. I think sometimes it's harder to watch a loved one go through a tough time than to experience it ourselves. How lucky Wilf is to have you!

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  17. Angus, I hope you can feel just a fraction of all the love and support your readers have for you and Wilf. From all across the planet. Such a difficult and emotional road you are traveling. But you are doing it with such grace.

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  18. Wilf has the most fabulous tongue! And...the most fabulous family :) I read something recently; a poem of sorts. It is from a dog's perspective, and its closing line says "Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so." It made me think of sweet Wilf, and his recent challenges. I have no doubt that he will stay with you as long as he can, simply because he loves you so.

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  19. Being blind so suddenly and so fast can be quite scary be it for human or dog.. but Wilf being Wilf will be okay. He's happy and that's all that matters most. Knowing that both you and your wife's love is always around, he will be just fine. Coconut ice-cream too :)

    I think someone's birthday's coming up... yehoooooOOOO!

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  20. Hi Wilf,

    We adore your photos with your stuffie bunny. We always have our paws crossed for you, dear fella!

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

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  21. sending gentle tummy rubs to the boy...

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  22. gulp... wilf you are the bestest bravest boy we know - loves and licks xxx

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  23. my heart hurts..but my soul is sooo pleased with the strength of both you AND Wilf....please know there is a special place in Heaven for people like you...and healing, soft hugs for Wilf...

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  24. I too was laughing one minute and crying the next! Your post was much like life, a mixture of "the bitter with the sweet" as my grandmother used to say.

    I am sure we all hope to have a dear friend like you Angus, when we have our moments that are bitter!

    Love,

    Susan
    Boston, MA USA

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  25. Wilf loves his bunny, doesn't he?!

    Like everyone else, my heart melted at the scary moments Wilf is having to cope with in his new dark world. I think MAXMOM IN SA's idea of the pillowcase stuffed with your old clothes is a fantastic idea, and one I'll do for our old girl.

    x (for Wilf!)

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  26. Oh Wilf - Angus... you're so right about being comforted by the knowledge that another soul is nearby, no matter what creature we might be. The foodables you are creating in the kitchen might make me roll my tongue around too - hope you got to sample some of that quiche, Wilf!
    Big Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie, Avalon , Ozzie and Mom

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  27. Happy Birthday, Wilfie!

    Sto lat, sto lat, niech żyje, żyje nam.
    Sto lat, sto lat, niech żyje, żyje nam.
    Jeszcze raz, jeszcze raz, niech żyje, żyje nam.
    Niech żyje nam!

    We all wish you could live one hundred years, dear Wilf, and though it will not be easy on us, at the end you will not be alone, because we love you so.

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  28. Such a bittersweet post. Wilf is such a strong pup, and so beautiful! Love the photos of him with his bunny stuffy. So sweet!

    Stay strong, Wilf! You are doing great!

    Thinking of Wilf and sending him lots of love.

    Suka and K

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  29. it's already the 30th over there, so happy 10th birthday to wilf! he doesn't need his sight to enjoy his special day with some stilton AND coconut ice cream. :)

    *big hugs*
    the booker man and asa's mama

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  30. Good thing Wilf has such good seeing eye humans to help him get around now. And one of them can cook! The only advice mama can offer from her experience with her blind dog is don't move the furniture, or anything else. Wilf needs stuff to always be in the same place, no surprises.

    Jed & Abby

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  31. awwww, sweet Wilf. he's doing the best he can. it's got to be tough when you've been sighted your entire life and then losing it. we're just happy that you're with him and keeping him company when it's most important.

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  32. Add us to the rest who feel that Wilf is the luckiest dog around to have such loving "pawrents". The love you all share is so evident and so very beautiful. Thank you for allowing us to share your journey and always know that we are here for you.
    Tender loving licks to Wilf,
    Skye, the Moondance Huskies, Kitties and mom Joan

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  33. My first response when I first read this at work was one of extreme sadness when I read of Wilf adjusting to his sudden blindness and seeing in my mind that white paw of his waving in mid-air. Then I thought about my little Angel Oreo who also had to learn to live with blindness. I have learned that we humans grieve much greater for what is lost than our furry companions do. Wilf knows he can trust you to fulfill his every desire and I bet that someday soon, he will remember when he wakes to total darkness - "Oh yeah, this is how it is now and I know that I have the bestest pals here to take care of me". Just looking at those pictures of him with his bunny, the one of him with his tongue swirling about - he's not thinking about his blindness - that would be the human thing to do (I know, I've been there in the past) no, Wilf is just thinking about his bunny, the wonderful smells around him and the glorious family he has to watch over him. Carry on dear Wilf, carry on.
    Mom (Kim) Beaglebratz

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  34. This post makes me sad. It definitely brings back memories too. We had a white poodle for many years. We'd live in the same house for awhile and she apparently figured out where everything was. We had no idea she was blind until we moved and she kept running into things. We quickly figured out what was wrong and did what we could to accomodate her.

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