It is not unusual to see dogs working as guides for people who are visually impaired. They greatly assist these people, making their daily lives easier. These affectionate, loyal, and responsible animals make excellent friends and companions. They can even console these individuals when they are sad or angry. Giving them a hug or resting their head on them will always melt their owner’s heart. In addition, the dogs serve as an excellent guide for their blind companion. Because they are of the same breed, they can communicate more effectively. The following story about Oko, a cute Golden Retriever puppy, will hook you. This adorable dog becomes a guide for Tao, a 12-year-old blind dog.The two have built a strong bond since then and became inseparable. Let’s scroll down to know more!
Melanie Jackson, Tao’s owner, stated that Tao lost both of his eyes last year. Her old dog was diagnosed with glaucoma, an eye disease in which the eye’s fluids cannot drain effectively. She had no idea his disease would progress so quickly and unexpectedly. Tao appeared to be fine one morning, but in the evening, he began shaking his head (dogs do this when they are in pain), and just a few hours later, he went blind in one eye and had the eye removed. Unfortunately, Tao’s other eye failed and had to be removed in January.
Tao was diagnosed with glaucoma that caused him losing both of his eyes. But the brave dog recovered quickly and was happy again.
Despite his blindness, Tao quickly recovered. He began walking up the stairs on his own and was able to walk off-leash just three days after losing both of his eyes. Tao appeared to return. Melanie Jackson, his owner, discovered that something was missing. Tao needed someone to play with him and keep him company so he wouldn’t be lonely or abandoned. So she took matters into her own hands, looking for a companion, friend, and guide for her poor furry friend.
There was still something missing
Tao’s health is excellent right now. He’s not in any pain, and despite being nearly 12, he acts like a much younger dog! “Aside from jumping up hay bales and jumping over hedges, he does everything he used to do—we walk around 8 miles a day and he still trains most days,” Melanie told Bored Panda.
Melanie decided to look for a dog that could befriend and get along with Tao Oko, who was only 8 weeks old at the time and was brought into Tao’s home to serve as his guide.
Oko is a golden retriever as well. Melanie got the puppy when he was about 8 weeks old, but he quickly gained Tao’s trust and formed a strong bond with him. Since then, the two have become inseparable. Oko does an excellent job as Tao’s guide dog. Tao follows Oko around while they walk and they sleep together. The owner is also teaching Tao to follow Oko so he doesn’t get into trouble. “Oko is being trained by me; otherwise, as a typical inquisitive puppy, he would lead Tao into mischief.” Tao is being trained to follow Oko’s scent, and Oko is being trained to listen to and respond to my commands to’stop, wait, go right, go left.'”
Oko is now about 17 weeks old. The boy has gotten used to his new role. His owner has also raised a cause for glaucoma awareness in dogs. She has worked with The Kennel Club, who have used Tao’s DNA to help identify other dogs’ proneness to glaucoma. It can be prevented if diagnosed early enough. The duo Tao and Oko is exploding over social media, with a solid 30k followers. They love the way the two get along well with each other.
