“When Star seems lost, Denver will run over to her and check in with her.”
This touching sentiment epitomizes the bond between two pups, Star and Denver.
At a glance, their antics might seem like typical puppy play.
But delve deeper, and there’s a remarkable story to tell.
Denver isn’t just frolicking about – he’s guiding his blind sister, serving as her beacon, her… guiding star, if you will.
Guide dogs for visually impaired humans are not a new phenomenon.
But have you ever wondered what happens when a dog itself is blind?
That’s where Star’s story begins.
Luckily, amidst the shadows of her world, a shining light emerged: her doting brother Denver, who decided that no darkness could keep them apart.
Their heart-wrenching backstory brings tears to one’s eyes.
The duo, unfortunately, came into this world as part of an unwanted litter, abandoned with their mother in a remote part of Louisiana.
Yet, hope arrived in the form of a benevolent family who discovered them.
While they adopted the mother, they knew they couldn’t leave the puppies to fend for themselves and sought help from a rescue center.
With an already burgeoning number of rescued pups, the initial rescue center turned to the Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) in sunny San Diego.
Without hesitation, HWAC stepped up, ferrying not just Star and Denver, but 31 of their furry friends across the country, all in the hopes of granting them a fresh start.
It was only upon arrival at HWAC that Star’s unique needs came to light.
As her litter mates playfully scampered around, this 3-month-old Terrier tried her best to understand the puzzling world around her.
Yet, as fate would have it, Denver always had her back, watching over her and rushing to her side whenever they were separated.
In Denver’s eyes, Star wasn’t “special needs” – she was just special.
To him, her being deaf and nearly blind didn’t make her any less wonderful.
Their bond, evident in their interactions, was poignantly described by Jackie Kelleher, the social media manager at HWAC: “They like to play with each other, play tumble, play with rope toys and chew on stuffed toys.”
One of the most endearing aspects of their relationship is Denver’s unwavering commitment to Star.
He continuously reassures her of his presence, whether through gentle nudges or by simply being nearby, allowing her to locate him through her keen sense of smell.
He always lets her know that he’s there by her side.
Star, in her own unique way, navigates the world with care and precision.
Jackie adds, “When she moves to a new location, she moves very slowly putting one paw out cautiously in front of the other and she ‘maps’ out the area around her. Denver will always be vigilant of her needs even while they are around humans.”
With the duo now thriving and ready for their next adventure, the horizon seems promising.
Their bond is so deep that HWAC has stipulated a heartwarming condition: wherever their journey takes them next, Star and Denver will find a home together – forever united.
See the special bond these two share in the video below.
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