Things Scout does now that he is blind:

1. Eat
2. Poop

This is a complete accounting of his activities.

Because he has extremely limited vision, he no longer likes to walk at all. Not that he was ever spry – on his best days, he would jog for half a block before refusing to move faster than a slow walk. But now he sometimes gives up mid-walk and will not move. It’s great when I’m running late and he won’t budge from a spot on the sidewalk.

The result of this complete immobility plus his increased appetite from his medications is that he is rapidly becoming a polar bear of lard that does little but yearn for kibble.

The impressive thing about his wistful gaze is that he is blind. It's like being leered at by Ray Charles.

He also barks at the couch when somebody knocks on the door and runs into the back room when I say, “Let’s go outside!” Kobe has always been reticent to come when called; often I have to drag him out from his nest under my bedspread as if his bathroom trips are a favor to me. Scout at least used to come eagerly when summoned. Now I stand by the front door, leashes in hand, calling fruitlessly while Scout enthusiastically head-butts the wall in the other room and Kobe snorts with disdain.

I’d make a joke here about a serious failure to be man’s best friend, but that would be doing a great disservice to either dog. For all of their quirks and vexing habits, I can’t imagine my life without their company. Scout going blind has been a challenge because, to be honest, I took the dogs for granted before now. I loved them and they were very important, but they were like social furniture that needed to go outside a few times a day. Now Scout needs more. He needs 17 medications each day and help finding his way around and somebody to comfort him when he’s frightened. When I fail at that, the effect is immediate: if I miss alerting him to a curb, he trips and lands on his face and I feel terrible. I have to focus more on his needs and do everything I can to make his life easier and happier. It’s taken some getting used to, but it’s also reminded me to pay attention to my pets and do everything I can to deserve their unconditional love.