When I found out that Simon, my 14-year-old cat, was losing his sight I confided to friends my concern about the progression of his disability. Many thought ‘putting him to sleep’ was the humane option. After all, Simon shared his home with three dogs!  As I pondered the best option for Simon, I found myself observing him more closely.  What I learned from watching him were some life lessons I seemed to have forgotten. 

Simon especially liked to seek out and curl up in the sunshine filtering through the windows.  Even on a stormy gray day, he would seek out “the sun”, and settle for curling up beneath a lamp I lit to make reading in a darker room possible.  Lesson:   Look for the bright spot even in the darkest of days!

Living with three dogs, Simon knew that one dog loved him, one dog tolerated him and the other dog thought “chase the kitty” should be a verifiable dog sport.  Once Simon’s eyesight was totally gone, he learned that running away usually resulted in hitting a wall or piece of furniture.  So, instead, he stood his ground, and casually would start “washing up” when he heard the dogs approaching. This amazed the kitty-chasing dog.  All previously successful cat chasing behaviors now unsuccessful, he took to watching Simon intently for hours. Today, as Simon’s self-appointed seeing-eye dog, he carefully circles Simon as he walks through the yard on their frequent outings to the backyard, making sure Simon is kept safely away from the fencing, lawn furniture and rose bushes.  Lesson: The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend…. Or… understanding is the basis of all good relationships.

Simon continues to enjoy the world around him.  He just ‘sees’ it differently.  When the bedroom window next to the bed is open, and the birds and butterflies are busy at work in the flowering bush just outside, Simon presses his face against the screen. His nose works overtime, smelling the blooms, the birds, and undoubtedly the butterflies as well.  He alternately cocks an ear close to the screen and pushes his face against the screen. Yes, he still experiences the world around him.  Lesson:   Embrace the wonder of the world with all your senses.

Hoping to make Simon’s world easier to navigate, I gated him off from parts of the house.  Simon would often sit at the gates listening intently to activity not accessible to him. So, on a whim, I started leaving the gates open, and Simon, surprised me by journeying out to the main part of the house. He hears the TV and will come out and sit on the sofa with me, he hears dinner being prepared, and he will occasionally wander in to smell what’s cooking.  But it is his choice.  I no longer impose my fears on him.  He chooses his journey each day.   Lesson:   You can conquer almost any fearif you make up your mind to do so!

I know there will come a day when Simon will let me know it is his time to go. Until then, I reflect on what Earl Nightingale said:” We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within”.  I let Simon take charge.

Fran Iwanicki is a professional animal trainer, animal behavior consultant and author.  Currently, she is working on a book about animal behavior modification. Contact Fran at 704-224-6906 or fran@lakenormandogtraining.com.