The blind, epileptic golden retriever wound up at the Woodland West Animal Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., after living with two previous owners. Only 2 years old, he suffered from horrifying seizures almost every night and euthanization seemed like the most humane fate for the pooch.
But everything changed when Tanner met Blair, a fearful 1-year-old street dog that ended up at that same clinic after being shot.
“The connection was immediate,” Dr. Mike Jones, the hospital’s director, told People Magazine. “It probably did take us a few weeks to kind of go, ‘You know what? Tanner’s not seizing anymore and Blair is getting [less skittish].’”
Blair acts as a guide dog for Tanner, leading the way by holding his friend’s leash in his mouth. And Tanner seems to be a calming influence on Blair, who suffered from anxiety after being shot. Over the past few months, everyone at the clinic has watched their unique friendship blossom.
“They just live like two dogs would,” says Jones. “Tanner does stay pretty close to Blair. Tanner will actually follow Blair’s lead.”
After the local ABC news affiliate KTUL first reported the story, the adoption requests have flooded in, but it will take some time before the perfect owner can be selected for this inseparable pair who now share a pen.
“This is a relationship that’s going to be ten plus years, hopefully,” says Jones. “We’re looking for that needle-in-a-haystack type owner that will be able to handle the situation.”
Contact the Woodland West Animal Hospital for more information on how to adopt Tanner and Blair.
~Courtesy of peoplepets