Hugh and Roxy

Hugh and Roxy are from Abergavenny in Wales. I took this shot when they were on a camping holiday in the New Forest. Roxy is an 8-year old Patterdale Terrier and had to have both of her eyes removed due to a genetic condition called 'Primary Lens Luxation' (PLL). It's a condition that affects certain breeds of dogs and to avoid chronic pain, removing the eyes is the only option. 

Before the operation, Hugh and his wife Judith spent almost a year and a small fortune trying to save Roxy's eyes with anti-inflammatories and eye drops. They even put on alarms during the middle of the night so they could get up to administer her medicine. 

Despite their efforts, Roxy's eyes still had to be removed. Both Hugh and Judith were absolutely distraught. They told me that Roxy recovered much quicker from the trauma than they did.

Being blind has meant that Roxy gets stressed walking in new environments. When Hugh and Judith are in a new place with Roxy, they put her in the carrier to keep her calm and safe. It's quite a strain on the back after a while, so Hugh does most of the carrying. People make quite a few comments when Roxy is in the carrier from "what a hairy baby you've got" to "I wish I was your dog."

Roxy goes pretty much everywhere with the couple, and she walks on and off the lead anywhere there is no perceived danger (so, not near roads). She loves to run in open fields or on the beach, where she digs holes and loves to swim.

On the subject of swimming: a couple of winters ago, they were walking along a familiar stretch of the River Usk, and Roxy went for a swim in her usual spot; but on this particular day (for some unknown reason), she decided to swim into a strong current……she was being swept away at an alarming speed, so Hugh (dressed in heavy winter clothes) dived in after her, and with considerable effort, managed to catch up with her. It was a scary experience and it cost Hugh a new mobile phone, which had been in his pocket. Roxy didn't seem in the least bit bothered, obviously not realising how fast she was travelling.

The couple told me that they are so proud of how well Roxy has adapted to being blind and added that she's well worth all the heartache (and backache) that she has put them through.