Robin Wagner and her boyfriend from Burlington, Vermont, had been searching for the perfect dog for a long time.
Their search seemed futile until Robin stumbled upon Blaze’s adoption profile online. She instantly knew Blaze was the dog for them – it was love at first sight.
If you prefer not to read the full story,
Skip ahead to watch the video ->
Unexpected Challenges and Surprises
Upon bringing Blaze home, the couple discovered he had dental issues they hadn’t known about. “We didn’t even know about the teeth before he came home. That was a glorious surprise,” Robin shared with GeoBeats Animals.
Blaze, a German Shepherd/Greyhound mix, had sunken eyes but didn’t initially show signs of vision problems.
However, a visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist revealed he was completely blind in his right eye and needed surgery to save the vision in his left eye potentially.
Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, leaving Blaze completely blind. “About two weeks post-surgery, I was on a walk with Blaze, and he just started to walk into everything,” Robin recalled.
Despite this setback, Blaze adapted remarkably well, learning to navigate his surroundings with minimal issues.
His right eye was later surgically removed due to repeated infections, which was more challenging for Robin than for Blaze.
Blaze’s Road to Health and Confidence
Blaze faced numerous health issues after his adoption. Initially weighing only 50 pounds, he eventually reached a healthier 80 pounds.
Once his physical health improved, Robin and her boyfriend focused on his behavior, working with a trainer to help him feel less anxious and more confident.
Blaze’s blindness caused a significant regression in his confidence, making him anxious and reactive.
To ease his anxiety, Robin and her boyfriend communicated more with him, informing him about his surroundings. This challenging training process proved to be rewarding.
“We didn’t anticipate the number of challenges we would face after we adopted Blaze. But given the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. He’s my very best friend, and I count my lucky stars for him every single day,” Robin expressed.
A Special Bond with a Feline Friend
Interestingly, Blaze’s guide through his blindness is not another dog but their cat, Satin. Satin uses meows and chirps to help Blaze avoid obstacles.
“Every time he’d be walking towards her, she would meow, and he would stop and redirect himself,” Robin told People. While Satin isn’t the cuddliest cat, she demonstrates her love and support for Blaze in her unique way.
You can follow the heartwarming daily adventures of Blaze and Satin on Blaze’s Instagram profile.
Watch the video below:
Read more Dogs News.
