One year update on Winnie

It was a year ago that Winnie and I experienced her traumatic eye changes as she rapidly went blind within two months of her first cataract showing up.

Because of the many wonderful people who shared their love for animals by helping Winnie, she is a happy, healthy, sighted little girl who once again joyfully plays with her little red fox.

We are forever grateful to each and every one who was kind enough to help us through those tough times. My heart swells every time I recall the generosity shown us.

We've traveled that 500 mile round trip to Manhattan 6 times for Winnie's follow up care and have two more trips to make. All her tests have come back with positive results and her eyes are bright and shiny.

Winnie once again says thank you for giving her back the precious gift of sight.

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Just today, Over 100 generous, perfect strangers, have helped me reach my goal. I am eternally grateful to everyone, friends, family and all of today's new friends who helped me with this appeal. I'm overwhelmed and so grateful to all. It means so very much to both me and my precious fur baby. Thank you, everyone.

Our new date for surgery is January 19th. I'm looking forward to looking into those beautiful big brown eyes again so we can share that oxytocin. It will also mean Winnie and I can go back to taking our long walks around town again soon, which we both sorely miss and I need... I used to have to run to keep up with her...

Hi, my name is Ellie. I'm 78 and live alone with my little 3-pound Chihuahua Winnie. This sweet little girl has been in my life for four years. She's a rescue pet found in the jaws of a Rottweiler, where she experienced some trauma to her left eye and mouth. She's a survivor and such an affectionate, trusting little one. Where will Winnie and I get our oxytocin? How I already miss her loving gaze from her beautiful big brown eyes.

In early September, Winnie suddenly developed a cataract in her left eye and was blind within weeks. Early in October, a cataract began in her right eye, which went blind by November. It happened so fast that there's been no time to adjust.

Manhattan is a 6-hour round trip, and I'll need to make that trip weekly for a month, bi-weekly for two months, then continue with monthly trips for a year. Meeting my goal with this fundraiser means I will not have to worry about the costs of making those long trips.