Love at First Sight: Blaze’s Inspiring Journey with His New Family
Robin Wagner and her boyfriend from Burlington, Vermont, had been searching for the perfect dog for a long time. Their search finally ended when Robin came across Blaze’s adoption profile online. It was love at first picture for Robin, who immediately knew Blaze was the dog for her.
Many Unexpected Surprises
When Blaze, a German Shepherd/Greyhound mix, arrived home, Robin and her boyfriend discovered an unexpected surprise – his unique teeth. “We didn’t even know about the teeth before he came home. That was a glorious surprise,” Robin told GeoBeats Animals. But this was just the beginning of many unexpected surprises.
The adoption agency had informed them that Blaze’s eyes were sunken in but he didn’t seem to have vision issues. However, a visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist revealed that Blaze was completely blind in his right eye and required surgery to save any vision in his left eye.
Unfortunately, two weeks post-surgery, Blaze began walking into everything. A rushed visit to the ophthalmologist confirmed that the surgery was unsuccessful, and Blaze was now blind in his left eye as well.
Despite this setback, Blaze dealt with his newfound blindness with grace, learning to navigate the world with as few issues as possible. “We had his right eye surgically removed due to repeated infections. And I think I was more put off by the change than he was,” Robin said.
Blind Boy Blaze
Blaze faced numerous health issues, but with love and care, he gradually recovered. Initially weighing only 50 pounds, Blaze eventually reached a healthy 80 pounds. Once his physical health was restored, the focus shifted to his behavior. “We’re working very closely with a trainer to help Blaze feel a little less apprehensive about the world,” Robin explained.
Going blind caused a significant regression in Blaze’s confidence, making him anxious and reactive. Unable to see his surroundings, he relied on his family to communicate and alleviate his anxiety. The training process was challenging but ultimately rewarding.
“Obviously, 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 every single day for him,” Robin said.
Satin: Blaze’s Guide Cat
Blaze’s journey wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Satin, the family cat who doubles as Blaze’s guide cat. Satin uses meows and chirps to warn Blaze and stop him from colliding with her and the furniture. “Every time he’d be walking towards her, she would meow. She would meow, and he would stop and redirect himself,” Robin shared with People.
While Satin may not be the cuddliest cat, she shows Blaze love in her unique way. You can follow Blaze and Satin’s daily adventures on Blaze’s Instagram profile.
Blaze’s story is a testament to resilience, love, and the unbreakable bond between pets and their owners. Despite the unexpected challenges, Robin and Blaze have built a beautiful life together, filled with love, trust, and companionship.
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