Before I had kids, I doted on my dogs. Now I don't have nearly as much time to pay attention to pets, but today I spent a little quality time with Robi and grabbed a few photos.
She always keeps a close eye on Carly and Kai and does her best to keep them out of harm's way. Maybe it's the herding instinct, but she mothers them and protects them.
Robi was once a Seeing Eye pup, a guide dog prospect. She was delivered to us directly from The Seeing Eye when she was eight weeks old, and we spent the next year teaching her some basic manners and socializing her. When Robi returned to Morristown to begin her training, the veterinarians there discovered that she had a serious blood clotting disorder. There's no cure, although episodes of spontaneous bleeding can be sometimes be controlled with a transfusion. It was more than enough reason to disqualify her as a guide dog, so we were given the opportunity to take her back as a family pet. We jumped at the chance, although we knew that her clotting disorder could cause grave problems at any time.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. After six trouble-free years, Robi began bleeding internally and we rushed her to the vet. After I.V fluids, compression and a few days at the doggie hospital, she came home. And thankfully, a week later, she's looking and acting like herself again. But we're trying not to take her for granted so much now, knowing how easily we could lose her. And she's enjoying all the extra skritches and treats!
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