Living With a Blind Dog -- Happily Ever After!

When my dog Shon began going blind, emotionally, it hit us like a ton of bricks. This dog was so spirited and family dedicated and such a very happy guy.  How would blindness change him?  How would we ever learn how to be parents to a pet with disabilities.  We were fearful that we could not provide a wholesome and fulfilling life for this precious guy.

I remember sitting in the car and crying after we left the Ophthalmologists office. I looked over to the passenger seat where Shon loved to ride.  His front paws already stood on the passenger arm rest and he took on his "riding" pose to look out the window and see the world go by!

"What on earth are you looking at?"  I whispered with a saddened heart.  He turned towards me looked me straight in the eyes and his little nubby tail took off wagging so fast!  He wanted to RIDE!

My tears turned to a hearty laugh.  I suddenly knew how we would learn to be great special needs pet parents.  We would learn it all from Shon!  I started the car and we both happily began our journey.

And that was exactly what we did. ... Learn from Shon.
And he learned some new things from us, too!
We taught Shon the "STOP!" command when there was danger.  "upup" when there was a curb or a step up.  "downdown" when he needed to get down from a step or curb.  His favorite was "lead the way".  That command meant that he would walk in front of us with a full heart of trust.  No obstacles.  It was safe.  He walked so secure and proud.  No one knew that Shon was blind until we mentioned it.

Over time, we learned what situations Shon was insecure with and which ones he just LOVED!  Like going to the beach.  The waves would lick around his feet and he would happily jump and run.

Shon also loved to attend events where there were lots of dogs and people.  All the smells were just heaven for him.  That is when I learned how to mark him so that others could see that he was disabled.  People stopped walking into him.  At the beach, if he ran out of reach, others kept a watchful eye with their own dogs to make way for Shon.

All I had to do is listen to his cues and act accordingly, assuring his safety.
Over the years, his life was full and his well-being was maintained.
And that was all that mattered.

Next week we will blog about making the house a calm and secure place for a blind dog.  In the meantime, please look at our website, where we sell the vests that we designed to mark Shon and other disabled dogs.  Our brand is named after Shon and his safety gear.   www.SHONGear.com

Kindest Regards,
Jonni

All Dogs Are Show Dogs

So here we are, past day one of one of the most respected dog shows in the world: The Westminster Kennel Club. Did you watch? How did your breed perform on day one? Judging happens tonight and we won’t be the only ones on pins and needles! But with 2,721 top dogs from our favorite breeds on display these past few days in New York it reminds us that all dogs are different. And with different types of dogs come different types of responsibilities.

Last year’s Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show went to a 4-year old Pekingese named Malachy. Pekingese, those plucky little balls of fur best known as Chinese emperor’s dogs of choice, have a rich history. At one time they were admired as the living Buddha, which gained them some great perks from their human counterparts. But not even insane amounts of pampering can help avoid sometimes genetic problems in dogs. With their stout little bodies and cute faces, Pekingese sadly are prone to a deal of problems with their eyes as they grow older.

Having a dog with eye problems, or going blind, is something we never hope anyone has to go through. The inspiration for SHONGear actually came from a dog that had gone blind and we understand the hardship that goes with it. One of our favorite products is designed especially for those little cuties that have had some eye problems or lost their eyesight. The Blind Pet SHONVest comes in bright colors with “Blind Pet” clearly written in large letters across the side to alert anyone to the fact that your pet needs extra attention.

With the Blind Pet vest your dog will be clearly visible during travel, if he or she gets loose, or even at the dog park. When you don’t need to worry about how the people around you interact with your dog, leaves more time for you to love him or her. And with the security of a high visibility vest, your dog will be safer.

We look forward to the conclusion of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the continued health of all dogs everywhere! Who are you rooting for?

Take Your Pet on a Trip in Safety and Style!

It’s clear that dogs are way more than just man’s best friend: they’re our companions, our cheer-er uppers, and sometimes our travel partners. With the Westminster Kennel Club show just a few days away, despite nature’s best attempts to stop the show, thousands of dogs will be traveling to New York for one of the most prestigious dog shows out there.

But traveling with your furry friend is not always as simple as jumping in the car and going. Some dogs, such as the Westminster show dogs, travel thousands of miles and need to be crated while flying or being transported. It is not always possible to keep an eye on your canine all of the time, but we all want to know our dogs are safe despite where they may be in the travel process.

This reality hit hard in 2006 for Jil Walton, owner of a whippet named Vivi recognized for an award of merit at Westminster, who escaped from her cage at the Kennedy Airport while being prepared for her flight back to California. Even after a huge search of the airport, Vivi was never found. One can’t always count on others to handle their companions with the care that they normally would. Things like a lock failing or cage door being not fully closed are possibilities that always have to be considered. 

 

Here at SHONgear we prepare our dogs for travel by hooking them up with a Traveling Pet SHONVest. While we can’t always ensure the safety of our pets, we can take any necessary precaution. The Traveling Pet SHONVest has pockets for pertinent travel information such as your trip itinerary, dog’s medical information, and your contact information just in case your little guys decide to do some sightseeing on their own. The Travel Vests come with our own SHONGear travel itineraries! Just fill out your trip and contact information on the cards, place them in the itinerary pouch or water-tight pet information container, and anyone will be able to easily identify your dog.

Not all dogs get loose at the airport like Vivi. But what if Vivi was wearing a high visibility SHONVest?   Would she have been spotted?  Being out with your dog there is always the chance he or she may wander away from you or simply get out of eye-shot. With the security of a Travel Vest you can be positive that your dog will have the information needed to return him or her safely to you. We never leave the house without our wallets and IDs, why should your dog? Click here to view more about SHONGear's Traveling Pet Vest and check out this short video below about the Travel Vest and head over to our shop for even more information and pricing! 

http://SHONGear.com