[KAG]

By process of elimination, I thought my "I love the old broads" as Deb would say, was affected by night blindness. Crisse would wake up between 3-4 am, barking her head off. A bark that sounded like a scared bark, then turning into a pissed off bark. It wasn't raining or thundering, she did not have to go to the bathroom, she wasn't hungry. I googled "are dogs afraid of the dark" and up came information about night blindness.

My Vet said Crisse has the beginnings of a cataract in her right eye, like a smudge of Vaseline over it. There's no pressure on her eyes, which is good. Yet, her retinas aren't responding as well as they should. Thank God my Doctor ruled out anything neurological. Crisse's bloodwork is good, her heart and hearing are good. My baby girl is just getting old. She's probably 12-14 years old. Night blindness is starting. Oh, the waking up is attributed to the sleep patterns of older dogs changing. They sleep less, which is something I never knew. When Crisse wakes up, it's like "hey, where is everybody and where the heck am I". Poor baby girl. We're using night lights now to help her.

I remember watching Crisse during the course of a day, looking all around as if she was seeing a ghost only she could see. Just thought is was one of Crisse's many quirks. This has been going on for about a year. My Doctor calls this "fly spotting".

The best news is my girl isn't in any pain!!! I'd do anything to reverse the aging process with her, if I could. As always, Steve and I will love her like there's no tomorrow.

Please say a prayer for my "old broad" Crisse.
Thanks and love to all.
xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo

 

[Snowbody]

Aw Kerri. Crisse still looks like a hot mama not an old broad.:wub: I think I can commiserate with her a little. Since I had the issues with my eyes and the tons of floaters and things like flashes, I've been going nuts. Keep swatting things away that can't go away. It's very off putting so she's probably dealing with something like that. I keep taking off my glasses to clean them only to realize it isn't my glasses, it's my eyes.:smilie_tischkante: Can they do cataract surgery on Crisse? I think it has to be ripe or something like that (maybe again that's in people).
And the waking in the night is menopause for us old broads.:smheat::smheat: I know older humans sleep way less as they get older. :blink: Anyway, I had wondered if anything came from having a new house to spend some time in and not being used to some of the sounds or sights but you said it's been going on for a year. Do you think this exacerbates the night thing...maybe once she's used to it she'll sleep better.
I know -- give her lots of hugs and kisses from us and maybe that will work. :hugging: - to all of you. Crisse's an oldie but a goodie.:wub:

 

[Miss_Annie]

Thank goodness she's not in pain! Poor gal! I hope the night lights prove to be helpful.

 

[CrystalAndZoe]

Oh I love your old girl, Crisse. :tender: It makes me sad to hear you can see the aging process. I don't even want to think about it with mine. I know you will make sure Crisse is treated like a princess while learning to accommodate some of these 'old lady quirks', and will help her to navigate the changes that are happening.

I think I'm commiserating with Crisse. I can never seem to find the smiley I'm looking for and I know it's supposed to be 'right there'! lol

Sending you tons of lovies sweet Crisse. :grouphug::heart::grouphug::heart:

 

[Ladysmom]

Lady has night blindness also. Since she is diabetic, I am thrilled all she has is "old age" vision problems, as most diabetic dogs go blind within a year after diagnosis.

I use nightlights also, but the past week or so she has been doing the same thing Crisse is - waking up about 4:00 and barking her head off. She is looking for her water bowl which I put right in front of her bed, but it must only look like a shadow to her. I have to get up and put it right under her nose and sit with her until she is finished.

I just love the old broads!

 

[mary-anderson]

Oh Kerry I love your positive outlook on Crisse!! You are such a good Mom. She is still a looker for her age!!! It's good to hear she not in
pain.

 

[pammy4501]

:wub::wub::wub:
I luv, luv, luv her! Just love her and hug her everyday!

 

[Tina]

 

[Nikki's Mom]

Awww, sweet Crisse! Poor baby. So glad she isn't in pain.

My Bichon Peaches didn't do the barking thing, she went deaf. She'd walk around and sniff every corner of the house a couple of times at night. The vet said she was trying to reassure herself that everything was okay. Then she'd go into the master bedroom to sleep, but as soon as hubby took out the ice cream, she'd walk in for a taste! Couldn't hear a thing, but her nose worked fine.

God bless your Crisse. What a sweet senior.

 

[Cosy]

Fly spotting. That's a cute way of putting it. I'm glad you're so sensitive to her needs, Kerry. She's one lucky malt.

 

[Snowball Pie's Mommi]

Dearest Kerry ... Bless your heart. And, Crisse's heart, too.:tender:

I am sorry Crisse has night blindness. But, as you said, thank God she does not have a neurological problem and is not suffering from pain.

The night light is such a great idea. Actually, we've always had one in our bedroom for Snowball. I think he can see in the dark, but, his Mommy can be a klutz in the middle of the night, and I don't want to accidently trip over Snowball. :w00t:

Crisse is so blessed to have you and Steve as her Mommy and Daddy. I know Crisse is getting the very best of care ... and, will thrive on the love, devotion, and care that you consistently give not only her, but, Darla and Fallon, too. :tender:

I love the pictures of Crisse ... she is gorgeous ... just like her sisters and Mommy. :wub:

Please give Crisse, Darla, and Falon cuddles and kisses from their Auntie Marie. :wub::wub::wub: And, love and hugs for you darling, Kerry. :heart: :smootch: :tender:

 

[Snowball Pie's Mommi]

Aw Kerri. Crisse still looks like a hot mama not an old broad.:wub: I think I can commiserate with her a little. Since I had the issues with my eyes and the tons of floaters and things like flashes, I've been going nuts. Keep swatting things away that can't go away. It's very off putting so she's probably dealing with something like that. I keep taking off my glasses to clean them only to realize it isn't my glasses, it's my eyes.:smilie_tischkante: Can they do cataract surgery on Crisse? I think it has to be ripe or something like that (maybe again that's in people).
And the waking in the night is menopause for us old broads.:smheat::smheat: I know older humans sleep way less as they get older. :blink: Anyway, I had wondered if anything came from having a new house to spend some time in and not being used to some of the sounds or sights but you said it's been going on for a year. Do you think this exacerbates the night thing...maybe once she's used to it she'll sleep better.
I know -- give her lots of hugs and kisses from us and maybe that will work. :hugging: - to all of you. Crisse's an oldie but a goodie.:wub:

Sue, if you haven't already, please make an appointment with an opthalomologist. I'm thinking specifically about those flashes that you experience.

Sorry, I got off topic ... but, Kerry is sweet and will understand.

Hugs for you, Sue. :tender:

Back to topic ...:chili::chili:

Marie

 

[iheartbisou]

Crisse (aka Mrs. Astor) is beautiful-at any age. I'm glad to hear that it's not pain but it must be scary for her to go through this and perhaps for her not know what is going on. I'm glad she has you and Steve there to guide her and love her. She's in my thoughts and prayers! xoxo

 

[Maidto2Maltese]

Ahh Kerry, your beautiful Crisse still melts my heart... maybe even more so as she ages. Love that lovely little smile in the first pose... as if she KNOWS how darling she is! :wub: or simply because she knows how blessed she has to have the mom and dad she has!

As to 'age'.. was talking to a lady the other day during some errands. She had an adorable little Yorkie/mix. This one was about 10 but the lady said she had had a Maltese before him ..( LOL... she asked if I was at all familiar with Maltese LOL ) Anyway her little Malt lived to be almost 18 yrs!! She added 'well he was likely a mix and she had gotten him from a rescue/shelter when he was pretty young. I'm seeing more and more wee-ones living to exceptionally 'good-old age"!! It's heartwarming!

 

[maggieh]

Aww - hugs to you and precious Crissy!

 

[The A Team]

Kerry we all love Crisse and her famous beautiful smiles!!! I actually didn't realize she was that old....she's still beautiful.

Old age is hard no matter who you are. Crissie is just lucky she has you for her mom.... :wub:

 

[Johita]

Poor baby. She is so lucky to have you in her life so that she is well taken care of at her age. Sending prayers.

 

[kathym]

14 is the new 6 Crissie looks fabulous..:wub::wub:

 

[Maglily]

:wub::wub::wubrayers for Crisse. YES the best thing is that she is happy and comfortable. She is a doll! My Lily is 14 too, it is hard to think of them getting older but they are still enjoying life. xxxooo

 

[Matilda's mommy]

awww Kerry, what a precious little girl you have:wub: Crisse looks so young, I was surprised she is one of our ol' girls. she's beautiful:wub:
Do you remember my Muffy had cataracts? He would look around and up and down, dh and I would always wonder why he did that. We actually wondered if he was seeing ghosts, your thread gave me insight on what was happening to him. Muffy did have the surgery and did very well afterwards.

Crisse your so special little one, :wub:your awntie wishes you many wonderful years of good health and lots of loves from mommy and daddy. It's ok if you can't see in the dark mommy will help you sweetheart