IN ILLINOIS 12 NOVEMBER 2016
On 15 November 2016, Bill Schumacher writes: I am writing about Brucie whom I picked up on Saturday, 12 November, and am fostering for CRUSA. He has serious cataracts and will need surgery to correct this. 16 November: Bruce Wayne, or Brucie, is a beautiful ten-year old boy who was rescued from the Horry County Animal Care Center outside of Greenville, South Carolina.
	He was scheduled to be euthanized when Lisa Mann discovered his posting online and called to ask for enough time to come and get him. She brought Brucie to Greenville, SC; I flew there from Chicago to pick up Brucie for a flight back to Chicago. Brucie was a complete trouper while on the two-leg flight from Greenville SC to Chicago, and even announced with a loud bark that we had made it to Chicago (and that he had ENOUGH of the carrier)!
When I met Brucie, it was apparent that he was not a Cairn. as he had longer legs, longer pointed ears and a long neck. It was difficult to figure out the breed initially as he was cut very short due to a flea infestation, and his face was cut back (crudely) due to significant matting. It turns out Brucie is a Scottish Terrier.
Whatcha got there, Dad? Can I have some? No?? Maybe if I come a little closer, and look a little cuter??
Brucie was seen on 14 November by the great staff at Uptown Animal Hospital in Chicago. Overall, he was given a clean bill of health. It was immediately apparent, due to his walking into objects, slipping on stairs going down, and falling off curbs when he should be stepping off them, that Brucie had a sight impairment. The vet confirmed that Brucie has cataracts, but that his pupils are opening and closing properly and that he does see shadows and light. He added that if Brucie doesn't "wait too long" for cataract surgery, he believed that he could achieve good results from it. He did refer Brucie to a specialist who would confirm the vet's assessment of Brucie's eye condition. Brucie had a bit of a discharge in his right eye as well, and was given a prescription antibiotic gel that he's getting twice a day for this week. He's looking better already!
It did not take long for Brucie to acclimate to life here in my apartment. Rosie, the resident Cairn, tolerates Brucie so far and seems to sense that he needs space. She is sharing toys and watches her Daddy for guidance.
Rubbing on the floor after a bath . . . . . . priceless!
Brucie has some definite challenges when walking, as he tends to wander from side to side on the sidewalk and not "focus" on the job at hand (that is, "potty time") because he leads with his nose and ears so much due to his eyesight issues. He will walk up stairs if you slowly lead him to the bottom step, but he cannot walk down them without assistance. He's learning his space somewhat, but still walks into things quite a bit.
He is playing with toys and is just a happy, sweet, gentle, loving little guy. I am confident that with eye surgery, he will blossom into the wonderful guy he's meant to be. On 23 January 2017, Shell Lewis writes: Bruce will be going to Louisville to have cataract surgery. Looking at costs of about $3000, but will probably be more. On 24 January, Peggy Nalley writes: Bruce will be coming to my house in Louisville, Kentucky to see an opthomalogist here. Bill will be bringing Bruce to me on 6 February and we have an appointment on 9 February for his initial visit to evaluate him to see if he is a candidate for the surgery. I've told them Bruce's history of being able to see shadows and light, and they say that he will most likely be a candidate for the surgery. I will be fostering him during his recuperation, which will entail several visits to the eye clinic for at least six weeks, give or take. I am looking forward to meeting this sweet guy and being there when he sees again for the first time in who knows how long. I'm sure I will cry with joy when it happens. I had a foster named Riley several years ago who was blind; they gave him his sight back in one eye, and he was so happy to see again. So to be a part of this amazing journey for Bruce is very exciting and rewarding! NEAL SKRENES: Great story and pictures. Hope for a successful surgery. MARILYN ROYLE: Thank you to Bill Schumacher & Peggy Nalley for helping to give this sweet boy a second chance! DOREEN MUNDIE: Cutie . . . he is fortunate . . . [we] wish him well....

BRUCE IN ILLINOIS IS NOW BRUCE IN KENTUCKY