One of the most profound comments I have heard from Cesar's way that I know is true, was that "dogs don't know they are handicapped"!

I got to witness this for myself several ways recently. First, when my rescue become therapy dog Junebug was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma which would have taken her in 30 days without treatment, then with a blind boxer/bulldog up for adoption who helped to raise over $800 for other dog rescues!

9 month old Roxie can hardly walk (we think) because of having had untreated valley fever, and is blind. Roxie was so happy with everyone who came to pet her in her little transportation wagon. She was a huge role model for both adults and children who came up to hear her story and give her love, about how 95% of handicapped animals who could live a really good quality of life are being euthanized because owners are too afraid or overwhelmed by this change to even try!

After hearing about the success of Daddy's cancer treatment using an integrated treatment model (holistic with traditional), I decided that maybe Junebugs story was not done. Already a Rescued dog become a Therapy Dog for Gabriel's Angels for at risk children, we had just finished going through Pet Connection Training for Hospice of the Valley, when she was diagnosed with cancer of her own. Junebug got accupuncture with her chemo and would come out peppier then she went in. During the whole 6 month (wisconsin protocol is several types of chemo) treatment, she didnt lose her hair, no explosive diareaha and only one short three day spate of vomiting cured with medication!

One of my goals in the coming year is to promote rescuing dogs (animals) and turning them into Therapy animals to help others, especially focused on "handicapped" animals who can inspire the humans to themselves, never give up, never surrender!

I had a smallish mixed breed "fuzz ball" that lost most of his sight. We had moved to the country with acres of woods and wildlife when he was probably about 10 years old. The joy of taking long hikes in the woods he always loved. If we were out too late, he could lead the way home though he didn't pay enough attention to low hanging branches on my behalf, since he had paler golden fur on his back that I could see in minimal light.
As his vision deteriorated I found I couldn't leave the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the floor anymore but instead of letting him lead I had to become a better leader inside the house and out in the woods. I needed to take intentionally heavier/noisier foot steps and choose smoother paths so he could follow me and we just had to get home before dusk. The most interesting thing though was his chasing deer behind the house. He would chase them barking, as would be expected for a short way, but would never run into a tree, and the main reason, I believe, was that his barking was like a bat's sonar, letting him know where the trees were so he could charge around them but through dense brush. I always figured as long as he had the sound he was having a great time in the moment. He finally past away from pancreatic cancer we believe that may have caused his diabetes, but that was 5 years later. He did just fine living in the moment, and what senses he had were just fine with him and except in his dreams, he didn't know any difference today from yesterday.

I have a 15 (almost 16) year old cocker spaniel who is mostly deaf and is losing his sight to PRA (progressive retinal atrophy). He limps due to arthritis,but still tries to run around and hop about like a puppy, and we're able to manage the discomfort with simple daily aspirin therapy (which also helps to stave off further strokes).

I just wanted to say that he very much has a good quality of life! We've learned to adapt (to his hearing and vision losses, such as not rearranging furniture, not leaving things out on the floor where he could trip, and knocking on the floor to get his attention. He feels the vibrations and will turn his head toward them, then a wide hand movement clues him to where we are (he must still be able to see shadows). He's otherwise healthy, so until THAT changes, we see no reason to believe his quality of life has been diminished. As someone with a disability myself, I know that such things don't DIMINISH quality of life, they simply CHANGE the quality of our lives.

As long as your dog is still happy and healthy, that's all that matters! :-)