A New Friend

Macy and Spargle

    My parents dog, Spargle came to stay with us for the week.  As you can see from the photo Macy has made a new friend.  I think Macy enjoys having another dog around.  Although it needs to be a mellow dog that doesn't mind getting bumped into occasionally.  Macy will bark when she meets a new dog, especially on a leash.  Since she can't see, I think she assumes she is the only one on a leash, is scared and barks.  Macy met Spargle in our fenced in backyard, free to move about.  Macy danced around Spargle, barked a little and that was that.  Everything was good and now they are friends.  They will even nap in the same bed.

Napping after a long walk is a good thing.

New Foster Family

There is just enough room for me next to my new foster mom.

     We welcome the "Amazing Macy" to her new foster home.  We call her amazing because of how normal she functions without sight.  It is the first time I have taken care of a blind dog.  And except for the occasional bump into something, you wouldn't know she can't see.  She is very adaptable.  She came with us to our relatives over the holidays and she had no problem navigating their home and different environment.  People asked are you sure she can't see?  Truly amazing, that's Macy. 

     I know Macy would like to thank her prior foster family.  She is so excited to see them when they come for a visit.   They took such good care of her.  Especially at intake when she was in such pain from her eyes, and her surgeries to correct them.  Licks and Wags from Macy. 

     Macy is still searching for her "forever family".  We know you are out there.

    Woofs and Wags.   

At the Resort!

Macy has had lots of fun experiences as of late—with the most exciting one being that she is living with a new foster!

As her first foster family, we have been honored to help take care of sweet Macy. But as our schedule has now changed (increased travel and a long-term commitment to jury duty), we had to keep Macy's best interests at heart and recognize that she prefers not to be home without her humans all day.

You might think that Macy was sad to leave us, after having been at my side for several months, but I must say that she has taken to life with her new foster with great enthusiasm! It just goes to show how loving and adaptable she is.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that living with her new foster is rather luxurious—she is a girl after my own heart! She really is loving the attention of being an only dog. I would not mind being a guest at this "Canine Resort," myself!

I was confident that Macy would love her new foster, and the first photo that I received just proved my point in spades:

Yep, I am just fine snuggling here.

And she has become more and more comfortable with time:

Time for a nice stretch...

Of course, the fashion does not stop with the pink blanket & fun toys:

Why, thank you! I think this coat is fabulous, too!

We all continue to be so impressed by Macy because, despite everything that she has gone through, she embraces everyone who comes her way and has so much love to give. Do you have any room in your heart for this sweetie?

XOXOX from Macy & her team.

Top Five Surprises

Being new to the world of blind dogs, fostering Macy has opened my eyes quite a bit, but not in the way that you might think. Sight or no sight, Macy loves so many activities—read on for my list of top five surprises!

1. She walks with confidence.

She loves (loves!) to go on walks. She scampers, plays, and manages to stay on a relatively straight path. No tentative steps for our girl. Somehow, she senses where to go!

2. She does not know a stranger.

Macy loves visitors. She greets them with cheer and accepts their rubs with joy. Everyone who comes to my house falls in love with her, even folks who claim not to love dogs.

3. She likes the company of other dogs.

Rather than thinking of them as a threat, she is a friendly little girl who is interested in playing, snuggling and walking with other canines.

4. She loves house living.
Our house is not particularly easy to navigate: steps in & out and up & down, dogs & visitors, furniture & walls. She easily learned the layout & routine, and settled in with no trouble at all.

5. She really is a cocker.
Macy loves her people and follows her favorite person around the house. She is smart, playful, & sweet, and she bonds very quickly. She is so excited to be part of a family and is eager to please. She really makes everyone happy!

Settling in for a snuggle on a lovely fall day.

The Difference between Macy & Me

Of course, Macy & I have obvious differences, mainly that she is a cocker spaniel and I am a woman. But outside of that one, we have one major difference that strikes me every single day: perspective.

I think it is only natural to put our own perspectives onto others. I try very hard to be open-minded, but I always know that my own experiences have an effect on how I perceive any given situation—including, apparently, how a dog might behave.

Macy regularly reminds that she just has a different perspective than I do.

When I think of blindness, frankly, it scares me. I admire folks who handle it with grace, but I have to admit that I would rather lose a limb than my sight. I could change my wardrobe to accommodate a different body, but my sight? I could not simply buy a different style of jacket and go on my merry way. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE.

Macy, on the other hand, is blind. She has no sight whatsoever, and she never will, but her blindness does not seem to bother her at all. Sight is simply not important to her happiness. She does not place the value on sight that a human might.

Lesson learned, Macy, as you are one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met! 

Macy on TV!

Many thanks to WUSA9 for featuring Macy on the news today! A special thanks to the lovely & beautiful Anny Hong for making Macy feel so comfortable during the interview.

Everyone at the station was just a delight, and Macy happily posed for photos and accepted compliments & rubs from all. With her cute fall collar, she was quite a head turner!

We were so excited to run into an OBG adopter who was part of another segment—it really is a small world.

Thanks, all!

Summer Groom

I admit—I like a fluffy cocker. I do not have the patience for a full skirt with feathers (too much brushing  for me, and not enough exploring outside for the dog!), but I do like the soft look and feel of slightly longer hair. They look so cocker-y to me that way!

However, a fluffy cocker is just not practical for the summer, especially in the Washington heat, so I knew that Macy needed a groom. I could not keep her fluffy just because I like her that way!

I made an appointment with a groomer known for their work with spaniels, and I was such a nervous Nellie when I dropped her off! Thankfully, all went well. She was great on the table, which just confirms her lovely personality.

I have noticed three main benefits to her summer groom:

1. Most importantly, she loves it. 
She obviously feels so cool. Prancing, dancing, playing in the yard, she is having so much fun!

Macy the Explorer.

2. The groom shows off her lovely figure. 
Macy is actually quite a little girl. She has a great shape and wonderful proportions. Her summer cut shows off her 24 pounds perfectly.

Thanks for the cookie!

3. She is very snuggly.
Selfishly, I love this benefit! She wants to snuggle and spoon as much as we will let her.

Yes, Macy, I will snuggle with you!

All in all, she is more adorable than ever. To a happy summer!