Betty’s Vision of Hope Becomes a Reality!

Bags are packed. She’s not happy about missing breakfast either. Her foster parents, Mara & Jimmy are in tears as they load her up in the car for the long ride to the place where miracles happen.  At least for Betty, it’s a miracle.  This is nirvana.  How often do you get to take a blind dog to the vet and pick up a dog with vision?  Wow.

Her Story

Betty started out as a stray dog who ended up in a high kill shelter in Indiana.  As her “time” grew near and nobody wanted her we got word of her.  Within a couple of hours everything was set..she was going to our fabulous fosters in upstate New York.  Transport in place, foster waiting with open arms, Betty was on her way to safety.  The folder you see in the picture above is marked “Blind Dog” and is the actual folder that came with her from the shelter.

After a short settling in period, I got an urgent email from her foster mom saying, “We turned on the garage light and she whipped her head around.  I wonder if she can see light?”  I called her immediately and we arranged for the general vet to take a look at her and see what’s up.  Yup, she’s blind alright.  BUT, there might be a glimmer of hope in there somewhere.  Mara, being the resourceful pusher of all things positive for beagles, and I discussed options.   We wondered if it would be remotely possible for her to ever see!  Mara said she’s not that far from Cornell and she would at least get an appointment with them.  She did.  Now we needed the money as it would be a pretty hefty bill for a rescue organization like us.   Here’s her original story on our “old” web site: Betty’s Vision of Hope.  Eighty people from 15 states made donations and we raised enough for the surgery!  Here is Betty’s Wall of Fame – a list of those who are instrumental in helping us help her.

Today

Mara & Jimmy (fosters and loving caregivers) are on their way.  It’s actually happening.  It really is.  She will be delivered to the hospital and when they pick her up later this week, she will see them for the first time.  I only wish I could be there to witness this!

IMMEDIATE UPDATE:  Betty is checking in!

I just got word that they have arrived at Cornell and are checking her in.  This picture was taken and came with a text on my iPhone: “We are here!  My heart is in my throat…”  (Remember that technology thing I wrote about yesterday?  This is “it” in action!)  Now remember, today is the day they will perform the last remaining test needed to make sure her retinas are good to go for the big surgery tomorrow.  She will stay at the hospital tonight.

As we go through this day, we will keep Betty, the vets and her foster parents in our hearts as they go through this experience.  Tears of joy, worry, all of it.

See, Betty, See!

Watch for updates…we will post as we get them.

UPDATE 10:00 AM – Betty is all checked in and now is in the hands of Drs. Ledbetter & Kim.  All paws crossed!

UPDATE NOON:  Betty’s retina tests are complete and she passed!  She is 2nd on the surgery schedule for tomorrow! 

Arooo,

Beagle Slave