06/03/2026
Happy 10th birthday to my little medical anomaly, Ticklwood’s Tranquil Inlet, but his friends call him Cove 🥹💚
I remember the day I picked this little dude out. Teri was SHOCKED that I didn’t choose the black bi with the tail. I had been watching this little speckled guy bop around with his siblings, chew sticks, lounge in the grass, bop around some more (as the black bi ran around endlessly in circles around his siblings). I already had my Ferrari (aka Fame) I was looking for something not quite as much.
Cove came home a week later. Named after Peggy’s Cove. One of my closest friends, Joanne, and I took a world-wind week long trip to the east coast to play flyball and picked up the puppy on our way through back home. I wanted a name that would clock the year we travelled immediately and at the time, I didn’t know any other dogs with the name. I have since met 3 🤣
From the start, he was an old soul. He is the kindest dog. A true lover. He was so docile, could go anywhere and do anything and wasn’t phased. He still very much is like this but it was remarkable for such a young pup. His sport career quickly took off and he trained in disc, flyball, agility and dock diving. He was keen to learn and do anything.
I won’t bore you all with his medical journey again but in January 2020 his entire life changed. After 3 different emergency clinics, 3 specialists, finally landing with a neurologist, an MRI and a spinal tap, we learned that sweet Covey was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Optic Neuritis, leaving him bilaterally blind. A treatment plan was developed and executed over the next year with a follow up MRI (and 40k in the hole later 🫣 insure your pets if you can 🙃) and while he didn’t regain his sight, there was no additional damage to his brain.
Life with a blind dog is not easy. He’s developed some mild anxiety he didn’t have before (specifically in relation to my whereabouts - he has to know where his Mom is at all times and prefers to be with me, although his Nana and Uncle Jordan will do if I’m not available…). He is totally reckless and a danger to himself most days. I quickly taught him several emergency stop what you are doing immediately words so that he could be kept safe and he is often sporting his Rex Specs while traipsing through the forest and other “high impact” activities.
He is pretty much the coolest dog in existence and shocks people with his abilities even without his vision. People are taken aback watching him play disc, especially if they don’t know he’s blind. Is he super successful? No 😂but his tracking skills are insane.
While I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, if someone had to deal with him in this state, I am glad it is me. I remember speaking with his neurologist about quality of life and he was fairly confident he’d live out a long rest of his days post treatment. I’m not sure his outcome would have been the same elsewhere. It’s a big financial burden and emotionally taxing some days always thinking 3 steps ahead to keep him safe.
But then you look at his d***y face and the fact he’s now 10, and see how much he loves life and everything around him and I know it was all worth it in the end.
Cove LOVES big. If you know you know. I do not take the trust he has in me for granted - he still will do anything and everything I ask of him, no hesitation. His life certainly didn’t turn out the way I intended, but if I had to make these decisions again I’m sure I’d choose the same path.
Here’s to many more years together dude
