The close bond between a deaf and blind rescue dog and the people who have taken her in has tugged at the heartstrings of viewers online.
Nellie, a deaf-blind puppy, has found a loving home and an unbreakable bond with her new family. Sheridan Wright, Nellie’s fosterer turned adopted owner, shared a clip of the canine being cuddled by her partner on Instagram, winning the hearts of countless animal lovers online who spotted the dog’s trust in him.
“We originally brought Nellie home as a foster after she was surrendered to a rescue for being born deaf and blind,” Wright, who goes by @dashboard_doggos online, said.
The family had no prior experience with a deaf-blind puppy, making the initial phase a learning journey for everyone. From teaching Nellie how to navigate their home to potty training and understanding what was safe to chew or play with, the process was filled with challenges. Yet, it quickly became clear to the Wright family that Nellie was an extraordinary new addition.
@dashboard_doggos
“She was the sweetest, smartest, and silliest pup we had ever had, and it didn’t take us long to know she was meant to stay with us forever,” she said.
Nellie’s growth in confidence began with her reliance on scent to navigate her new environment, given her inability to see or hear. Wright says that Nellie would comfort herself by being close to her family members, recognizing them through their unique scents.
“Every time we get home or want to let her know we’re close to her, we let her sniff or kiss our face,” she said. “Now it’s our favorite part of our day.”
Nellie’s attachment to each family member was evident but her connection with Wright’s husband was remarkable from the outset, and it is a relationship that has gained significant attention online from Wright’s post which was shared on January 29.
“I watched her fall in love with my husband from the moment we brought her home, and they’re still best friends to this day,” Wright said.
The video, captioned, “When you bring home a deaf/blind puppy and get to witness the greatest love story between her and your husband,” has garnered widespread attention, drawing comments of admiration and support.
Viewers have expressed their love for the sweet interactions and the evident happiness Nellie has found with her new dad.
Wright’s social media posts aim to shed light on the potential of differently-abled pets to lead fulfilling lives and bring immense joy to their families.
“We truly just want to show people that just because a dog is different, it doesn’t mean they can’t make an amazing pet,” Wright affirmed.
As advocates for fostering and adopting pets, the family believes in giving every animal a second chance at a loving home.
Kara Stazyk, shelter manager at Abandoned Pet Rescue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, agrees that pets, regardless of their physical abilities, can form deep bonds with new owners, but that they should be integrated into these new homes carefully.
Stazyk told Newsweek: “For any new dog that a family brings into their home, we explain the 3-3-3 Rule. The dog needs about three days to decompress, three weeks to settle in and learn your routine, and allow three months for the dog to start feeling at home and secure, this is especially important for deaf, blind, and special-needs dogs.”
“They need extra time to learn their surroundings, especially since their other senses are heightened,” she said.
The shelter manager recommends establishing a consistent routine as soon as possible and hand-feeding the new pet to help build trust.
“And when it comes to dog safety, it is important to ensure the home and yard are secure,” she said. “A harness or collar with proper identification is a must, and if possible, a GPS tag would add an extra layer of security, especially for dogs that cannot see or hear.”
Updated 9/13/2024 at 13:22 ET: This article has been updated to include the location of Kara Stazyk’s rescue shelter.
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