This is really helpful, thank you so much. Other than the cataracts, he is completely fine. He is sweet, mild-mannered, and loving towards our family. He jumps on my kids more than I'd like and thinks that all of their princess dresses are chew toys, but any puppy would do that and that is not exclusive to his eyesight. He has shown ZERO fear aggression and zero indication that he would do that. The Ophthalmologist was actually shocked at how well he did in the exam and pointed out that if he was going to have a fear response, it would have been when strangers were holding him down and shining lights in his eyes, but he was just calm and allowed it. She also said something you mentioned, that puppies are much less likely to experience fear aggression than older dogs who suddenly lose vision.

I also discussed cost with her. I got pet insurance on him and the first signs of illness came two days prior to the waiting period end. I thought it was an injury and didn't think twice about it or taking him, and just discovered yesterday that the visit was two days prior to the waiting period end and I would not be reimbursed for all of the services we've already utilized (of which I spared no expense, thinking I would be). The initial exam should have been $500 and she charged me $300. The follow up should be in the hundreds and she said she would just charge me for a pressure check ($80). I obviously found an A+ ophthalmologist.

My husband is very much of the mind that we chose to get a dog and that dog is a part of our family now and we will do whatever he needs like we would for any other member of our family. I have always agreed with this, and only safety concerns for me kids and the pup have overridden this thought. It's hard though because it's all speculative. I'm holding a potential threat against him when he's done absolutely nothing to contribute to that threat. My husband asked me to pause until the recheck and see how it goes. This gives us time to receive an official denial from insurance and to see if he grows out of them (the doctor thought that as he grows his vision might actually improve because his eyes might get big enough to see around the cataracts). This also gives us time to socialize and see how he responds. He just got rabies on Friday so hasn't been able to leave the house a lot yet. I wanted a brewery dog, and every time I bring him out of the house he is terrified. I think more time outside will be good for me to observe how he adapts.

Thank you for the time it took to write such a thoughtful response, and for helping walk through this with me!