Dogs
This blind Golden Retriever has his own guide dog and they are absolutely inseparable
When Jake started losing his sight at just two-years-old, his best friend was happy to support him.
Ashley Fike
07.12.19

Get ready, folks. You’re about to meet the cutest dog duo on the entire planet. And their names are Jake and Addie.

Jake is an absolutely adorable two-year-old Golden Retriever, and sadly, he lost his vision. Luckily for Jake, he happened to have an amazing roommate named Addie – who also happened to be a sweet Golden Retriever.

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Addie couldn’t have been happier or more eager to step up to the plate when she realized her roommate buddy was struggling to adapt to his new life without sight. Over the years, Jake and Addie have grown closer and closer, forming a tighter and tighter bond.

Not only has Addie become a wonderful friend to Jake, but she’s also become his official guide dog.

Jake and Addie’s owner, Kim, recently spoke with Bored Panda, describing their adorable relationship and how happy they make each other. The story is beyond heart-warming.

“We got Jake after our previous Golden Molly passed away and Addie came into our lives after our Golden Wrigley died. Jake was very sad after his buddy was gone and we knew he needed a sibling,” she said.

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“Jake follows Addie’s sound and smell. After Jake’s surgery, Addie wore a little bell on her collar for a while until he got used to tracking her on his own”

Little Jake’s health issues began when he turned just two-years-old. Kim started to notice something was wrong with his eyes.

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“We noticed an issue with his eyes and eventually found that he was no longer producing tears,” she elaborated. “Over the subsequent months, in spite of trying every medication recommended by our vet’s eye specialist as well as multiple surgeries, his eyes steadily deteriorated.”

Sadly, Kim was forced to make a decision that no pet owner wants to make.

“We were faced with a painful decision: have Jake’s eyes removed or have him put to sleep,” Kim said. “Both options seemed so cruel, and especially for a dog who’d already been through so much”

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Thankfully, it was the kindness of other people and their empathy from going through the same thing that helped Kim make a decision.

“However, over the next several days, we were contacted by a number of owners of blind dogs,” she continued. “[They] encouraged us about the resiliency of their dogs after losing their sight going on to live normal, happy lives.”

Kim also turned to her vet to look for advice, where she received even more words of encouragement.

“Our vet also counseled us that, to a dog, sight is actually number 3 on their list of senses, as both smell and hearing are more important to them.”

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And so – the decision was made to have Jake’s eyes removed.

“Immediately after waking up from surgery, our vet said that Jake began wagging his tail.”

From this one surgery that Kim was so scared to put Jake through, he was happier than ever. His months of pain and suffering had finally come to an end. And he didn’t seem to mind that he didn’t have eyes at all!

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“While he had an adjustment period as he acclimated to his new life, he continually surprised us with the ease with which he seemed to approach his circumstances,” Kim explained.

And even though Jake still bumps into things every once and a while, he navigates the house and the neighborhood surprisingly well.

“We’re so happy we made the choice we did, and so grateful for the many people who encouraged us to do so. Jake reminds us every day that his life still holds great purpose and value in spite of all his challenges,” Kim said. “[He] has a laid back surfer dude type personality. He sleeps on his back with his feet up in the air. Addie, on the other hand, is more of a cuddler. She loves being everywhere we are and is always ready to share kisses.”

“When they’re not sightseeing or going on adventures, Jake and Addie live a normal pup life. Their typical day usually starts with a morning walk and breakfast. “We always have a little nap after breakfast. Next is playtime! We love this time of year where we can play outside together and chase squirrels!”

We’re so happy for Jake and we just love that Addie is there to help! Follow these cute pups on Instagram.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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