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Dogs serve us in many different ways and they are a very useful part of society. Dogs provide emotional support, guidance, and more. They even help keep us protected, not only by guarding our homes but also by having a very helpful role in law enforcement, sniffing things out.
As it turns out, they’re just as helpful to other dogs! They are naturally good-willed, so as much as they’re willing to help humans, they’re also willing to help other dogs. In today’s story, we bring you a great example of dogs helping dogs.
Let’s meet Tao, a 12-year-old Golden Retriever who suffered from glaucoma and had to have his eyes removed, and Oko, his Golden Retriever guide and eyes. Tao is owned by Melanie Jackson and she shared the story of these two lovely pups who are a true testament of love, goodwill, and support.
When Tao got his glaucoma diagnosis, a disease that drains fluids from the eyes, it was very unexpected. To make matters worse, the eye disease progressed incredibly quickly.
One day, Tao woke up feeling fine but later that evening he started to show he was in pain by shaking his head. Only a few hours later, he lost his sight in one eye and the other one had to be surgically removed. In January, his remaining eye also gave up and had to be removed.
After Tao’s glaucoma diagnosis, the disease progressed quickly and he lost both eyes, but he bounced back just as quickly
Fortunately, Tao recovered just as quickly and he was back to his old happy self in no time. Three days after the removal of his remaining eye, he was walking without a leash and could even go up the stairs without any help.
Even so, it was clear something was missing for Tao. He seemed a bit lonely and in need of company ever since he lost his sight. That’s when Melanie realized she had to do something.
Something was missing for Tao
Melanie shared that even at 12 years old, Tao is a healthy boy and he doesn’t feel any pain. He doesn’t act his age at all and does all the things he loved to do before losing his eyes. Except jumping over hedges! Melanie and Tao go on 8-mile walks every day and he enjoys training.
Melanie set out to find a pal for Tao
Enter Oko, an 8-week-old pup who instantly connected with Tao and became his trusted guide
When Melanie decided it was time to find a pal for Tao, she came across an 8-week-old Golden Retriever and the two dogs connected immediately. They have been inseparable since they met!
Because they spend so much time together, Oko has inadvertently become Tao’s eyes and trusted guide. Tao follows the pup when they walk and they never sleep apart from each other.
Melanie has been training them both to keep Tao, who’s younger and naturally more curious, to keep Tao out of trouble and mischief. While Tao is trained to follow Oko, Oko is trained to listen to Melanie and be obedient to her commands.
Tao and Oko spend every waking and sleeping moment together
Melanie has trained Tao to follow Oko and Oko to be a very good boy
Oko has grown up since he first came home with Melanie and he has fully taken to his role as a guide. Melanie has also been committed to raising awareness for glaucoma in dogs and she has collaborated with The Kennel Club.
Melanie provided them with Tao’s DNA to help identify how other dogs are prone to this eye disease. Glaucoma can be prevented if diagnosed on time, so Melanie wants to do everything in her power to help.
When the internet heard Tao’s story and his relationship with Oko, everyone fell in love with the pair. They have garnered over 30k Instagram followers and, if you want to stay updated, you should definitely follow their social media.
Melanie is helping raise awareness for glaucoma in dogs
Oko has fully taken into his role as a guide dog
Both Tao and Oko have lovely personalities. Tao is a momma’s boy and he’s Melanie’s shadow. He’s a pleaser and he loves to follow scents, so Melanie does a lot of scent work by hiding his toys around the house or the garden. Tao always finds them and he has a lot of fun doing it.
Oko had an exceptional breeder and he’s full of energy. He’s loving and very protective. It was always Melanie’s plan to get another pup. Tao’s brother, Otis, died from cancer, so he has always had company. But when he was diagnosed with glaucoma and lost his sight, Melanie had to focus on his recovery first.
Luckily, they found Oko, the perfect match for Tao, at just the right time. Everyone who meets the pair falls in love with them and the special relationship they have. They’re locally known and people often stop to take selfies with them.
Share the story to increase glaucoma in dogs awareness and encourage dog owners to take good care of their pups. Also, share it to brighten someone’s day with this story of doggy love, companionship, and support.
Dogs are incredibly special creatures and it never ceases to amaze how kind they are. Not only to humans but to other dogs and animals. They have such good natures and such a disposition to be of service, it’s incredible to watch.
That’s why it’s so awful to hear stories about abandonment and abuse because that’s the last thing dogs deserve. Or any other animal, for that matter! As humans, we need to do better by dogs and repay all the love and servitude they offer just because that’s their nature.