Dutchess Gomez, the full story!
We are very proud to acknowledge Dutchess Gomez as our first Special Needs Doberman in August of 2001. Her heartwarming story serves as testimony to the power of loving parents, great doctoring and the coming together of the extended Doberman family. We helped the Gomez family with her initial recovery in 2001, and again in 2002 when her site was fully restored. What follows is Dutchess' story as told by her Dad, Dennis:
"Dutchess was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2001. The vet I was using at the time wanted $1,400.00 to stabilize her. I could not afford the cost. I contacted The Doberman Pincher Club Of America for help via the Internet. Many fine people got involved. I was contacted by Grace Joffe, by telephone, a short time later to check out my story. She is a real fireball and gets things done. Grace eventually had Candy Sangster contact me, who set things up with Doctor Butchko, who has his practice in Riverside, California. Dr. Butchko is the best vet in the area. There is standing room only, most times, at his office. The dobie show and breeder people use him.
Butchko brought Dutchess back from skin and bones, near death, to health. You see, I did not know dogs could get diabetes. I did not know the warning signs. I did not realize something was wrong until Dutchess had rapid weight loss.
A few short weeks after Dutchess returned home from Butchko's, she went blind. Dutchess has cataracts. She may someday see again with cataract surgery. The surgery is approximately $2,000.00 an eye. Dutchess has adopted well to her blindness.
Today, Dutchess is strong, healthy, and happy. Dutchess is very intelligent. After she went blind, I watched her travel to different parts of our home and measure the size of the rooms. She would walk until she touched an object or wall. It is amazing to see her get around the house. Visitors do not realize she is blind! Dutchess jumps on and off of our beds and sofa. She travels our large back yard with no problem.
I take her for walks and when we arrive at a curb I say "down or up" and we don't miss a step. Dutchess loves to go hiking. She lives her life as she did before her blindness. With a few exceptions.
Dutchess has two injections of insulin N, 15 units each. She is on a special diet of canned and dry W/D. Dutchess now has a tight muscular body and looks great for a nine year old. She has energy galore.
I rescued Dutchess from the Pomona dog pound quite a few years ago. She was thrown there as if she is of little worth. Let me tell you, she is of great worth, as all rescue Dobes are. She is intelligent, brave, loving, and strong."
February 24th: Dutchess has now lost all sight in both eyes due to cataracts. An operation to restore sight to one eye in order to improve her quality of life will cost approximately $2000. Dennis Gomez (Dutchess' owner) will pay a portion and we already have pledges from generous friends of Dutchess offering to help her. However, Dutchess is still short by $400 - $500. SND will be able to contribute $300 from its General Fund. We are now soliciting donations for the remaining $100 to $200. Please consider sending SND a donation for Dutchess, no amount is too small! Remember to put "for Dutchess" in the memo line of your check. Thanks for your support!
March 12th: Thanks
to the generous support of everyone involved, we have successfully raised the
needed money to restore the sight to one of Dutchess' eyes. But there's more
good news! The eye clinic taking care of Dutchess has fallen in love with her
(surprised?). They have banded together and are donating the cost of the second
eye themselves! Now Dutchess will have her complete site returned to her. We
are deeply grateful to everyone that helped Dutchess!
Update March 19th: Dutchess' eye surgery went great, this is from Dennis:
"Got home just a short time ago. Was up at 6:00 A. M. Dutchess received her special diet and 24 units of N insulin at 7:00 A.M. We were out the door and on the road at 7:30 A. M. We arrived at the clinic at 9:15 A.M. Dutchess was immediately weighed and take in. She weight 60 LBS.
At approximately 2:30 P.M., Dutchess was out of surgery, awake, but groggy. Dutchess went through surgery without any problems. Her blood sugar was monitored throughout the day and it remained stable.
At approximately 3:30 P.M., we were briefed on the surgery. It is a success. Dutchess eyesight will improve gradually for the next four to five weeks. Her eyesight will stabilize at five weeks. We return to the clinic tomorrow at 8:45 A.M. for a recheck. Then again in a week. There will be other appointments in the future.
After the briefing, Dutchess entered the room. She walked under her own power. She was slightly groggy. She looked great. On the drive home Dutchess remained awake and alert. Standing at times. When we arrived home, it was time for Dutchess to " put on the feed bag." She ate all of her food with gusto. Dutchess in now on the sofa taking a nap near my daughters.
Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts, and financial support. In approximately five weeks, Dutchess will again be romping off her leash, in the foothills near our home. This is what Special Needs Doberman is all about! Bringing sight to the blind and the unloved Dobes such as Regal of this great country of ours. You can all go to sleep tonight knowing you did a fine thing. Helping Dutchess, who just a few years ago was forgotten in the Pomona, California, dog pound. No, Dobes are not dispensable."
Update April 4th:
Dennis reports that Dutchess has had a routine exam and the doctors are elated
with her recovery! She's taking walks with her dad and is fully enjoying life
once again.
Updates!
September 21st, 2003 - Dutchess is going strong!
August 5th, 2003 - Dutchess continues to thrive!
