A Blind Pomeranian

One day our otherwise quiet neighborhood was rocked with a dog's whining and barking. Curiosity grew better of me and I ventured out to investigate. No sooner had I done so than our neighbor opened her door and I was greeted with the deafening sound of a dog barking. I looked around, following the barking, and found a cute Pomeranian dog curled up underneath a lounge.

The sudden thought of my getting a dog bite, and the painful needle treatment that would follow, gave me goose bumps. Taking precaution I moved safely behind my neighbor.

The Pomeranian actually belonged to her friend. Her friend was traveling and had left it in her care. Then she broke the tragic news that dog was blind. It sounded unbelievable. I had a close look at the dog's eyes and could see that the pupils were covered with a white layer. I felt repulsed with anger and sadness at nature's cruelty.

It brought back memories of my father who in later life lost his eyesight from glaucoma and lead the life of a blind man. I could imagine what the dog could be going through having seen closely my father's suffering. We always associate blindness with human beings. That an animal such as this cute Pomeranian dog could be a victim of blindness never crossed my mind.

I dug out the story of this dog and wanted to share her tragic tale with the world.

This cute blind dog's name is Roshi. She is perhaps at her last stage of life having completed 13 years. Roshi's parents, Vicki and Venus, long dead, had belonged to the circus. They were adopted by our neighbor when they were small. Roshi's grandparents were great circus performers and would entertain and regale the audience with their acrobatic jumping through a ring.

I had the opportunity to play with Roshi's parents. Both Vicki and Venus were great entertainers, exhibiting the same skills as their ancestors. I am told Roshi in her heyday was equally acrobatic. It runs in the family. Roshi has her mother Venus' handsome looks of fine curly silky hair and cute muzzle.

Three years back Roshi was diagnosed as suffering from cataracts. The veterinary doctor who treated her suspect that Roshi had diabetes. Subsequently she completely lost her eyesight. Due to old age she also has a slight limp when she moves around.

The once playful and cheerful Roshi has become subdued and quite. She whiles away her time seated in a corner with a melancholy appearance. The only time she springs into action is when she senses the presence of strangers. Her ears prick up and she breaks into barking. Despite her handicap Roshi gives her owners little trouble. She eats her food in a timely fashion without any fuss. Her food is simple, consisting of cooked rice, which has to be served with fish. She still follows the toilet training she is accustomed to, going to the toilet whenever the need arises with little help from others.

Roshi was parted from her sister and brother when they were adopted by other dog lovers. Nobody knows their whereabouts. Perhaps Roshi is the last of her lineage belonging to her illustrious ancestors of the circus world.