I took Hanna in to the  vet because someone posted on an adoption group’s site about their dog being diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy – a genetic disease which causes complete blindness.  Some things I’d seen in Hanna the last couple months were similar to what reported seeing. Hanna has always been a…unique little greyhound. She’s got lots of weird quirks, so some of the things I saw I just kinda thought was her being her. Weird reactions/over-reactions to things, mostly. Mostly I noticed her seemingly walking around things in the yard when there was nothing there. Not seeing things that she should have been able to see, i.e. handing out treats she’d be in line w/everyone else but she wouldn’t take one you offered until you got it touching her nose. I thought she was being picky (which she can be). I looked at her eyes a few times but they looked normal to me and she went up and down stairs, in and out of crate, maneuvered around the house and other dogs with no problems. I mean, sometimes she knocked her head into things, but pretty much all of our dogs do that from time to time. So, I kinda chalked up everything up to her being quirky. I still had a nagging “something’s off” feeling, but when I saw a pic posted on the other site taken indoors and the reflection of the flash off the eyes made me think of a pic I took of Hanna around Christmas that I just thought was a weird flash and picture angle. Nope…PRA dogs have more reflective eyes.

A board certified Veterinary Opthamologist confirmed the diagnosis our primary care Vet made. The doctor said that Hanna is nearly totally blind at this point. In fact, he said he would be surprised if she can see anything at this point. I was shocked becuase you would never have guessed she was totally blind. She walks around the yard with no problems, maneuvers the pack and walking around other dogs. Goes up and down stairs…hops in a crate at dinner time. She goes for walkies. I really thought she had some decent vision left because she doesn’t act like a dog who can’t see. I mean, I live with this dog 24/7 and you would just never guess she can’t see! In a way, I guess I’m a little relieved to hear this. I hate for my Hanna to be blind, BUT it seems like she really is adjusting well. Dogs are so amazing.

So, I have a stack of information on living with a blind dog that I need to read. When we started this journy together, I promised Hanna I would take care of her no matter what, and that’s what I intend to do. If we can make her life easier in any way, we certainly will.

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