It’s always better to appreciate what you have than to mourn the things you don’t have. Dogs are a great reminder of this. They are always attentive, always in the moment. Olive is a perfect example. People who care for animals with special needs are a special group.
Holly and Bart Emmerson are two such people. They rescued a black cocker spaniel they had found in Los Angeles. The couple adopted the dog and had a friend fly the puppy to Vancouver so she could move into her forever home. They named her Olive, after the street they had found her on. Olive had severe cataracts.
Olive could barely see due to severe cataracts in both eyes. However, this did not stop her from being a loving and playful little lady. A veterinarian advised the couple that the cataracts could be surgically removed and they decided to give her a chance. Eager for the surgery. Olive’s new owners were nervous about the surgery, but excited about the prospect of Olive being able to see. When they received a call from the vet saying the surgery was successful and Olive was ready to be picked up, they were thrilled. Olive sees her human mother for the first time.
With Olive now able to see, Holly and Bart took her on a grand adventure to see all the sights. She was quite cautious, as anyone with a newly acquired sense of sight would be. She would stop whenever something passed in front of her – it took a lot for that new sense to sink in! Olive would sometimes hide behind Holly if there were a lot of people or movement. However, she was finally able to adapt and feel comfortable with the world around her.
It must have been quite an experience for little Olive. After being sightless for so long, suddenly having it would have been a bit of a shock. Fortunately for her, Holly and Bart are very supportive doggie parents and were there to help her on the trip. Olive Falls returns. Unfortunately, Olive’s falls returned and, after a few weeks, she couldn’t see again.
To make Olive more comfortable, the doctors recommended that her eyes be removed. This would mean she would never be able to see again. Holly and Bart decided to go ahead with the surgery. However, the part that should make us all feel good about the ending of this story is that having her eyes removed didn’t stop Olive from being a happy, playful dog at all.
Holly says it seemed as if Olive didn’t care a bit and continued to be the lovable, loving dog they were thrilled to have brought into their family.
Watch Olive lay eyes on her mom for the first time in the video below!
