For decades guide dogs have been helping blind humans navigate their world, so it makes sense they could do the same for their own species.
And that’s exactly what has happened since Maureen and Vic Jakes of Cooroy Mountain brought home a Labrador puppy named Abbi a year ago when their dog, Pippa, then 7, began losing her sight.
Family friend Helen Lawson said the much-loved family pet was diagnosed by a specialist veterinarian with a genetic condition, generalised progressive retinal atrophy.
The family was told surgery was not an option and she would be blind within 12 months.
“Although it was clear that Pippa was bumping into objects more frequently as her sight deteriorated, her instincts, guided by sound and smell, helped her navigate around her familiar surroundings and even find her bright yellow ball,” she said.
The couple decided a companion would enhance Pippa’s quality of life and in searching for one of similar size and breed they found Abbi.
Helen said the pair hit it off straight away with Pippa accepting the newcomer within a week while letting her know the yellow ball was hers alone.
Abbi will fetch balls though and even lies on her back allowing Pippa to take the ball from her mouth, she said.
Abbi has taken on the role of protector and constant companion.
“Abbi and Pippa walk shoulder to shoulder when coming down the stairs, and while the pair are playing outside, Pippa is aware of Abbi’s nearness,” Helen said.
“Abbi accompanies Pippa when she moves to a favoured spot for a quiet rest, and then again later for a cooler stretch out on the kitchen tiles or to the upstairs office.
“Initially, the young puppy tried to muscle in on Pippa’s food bowl but she quickly became protective and instead, guarding it for Pippa became the norm. Abbi now clears up any crumbs only after Pippa has finished.”
Helen said the family had identified some of the established communication shared between the dogs. When Abbie adopts a certain stance and wags her tail Pippa will move toward her, she said.
Abbi has also alerted Maureen and Vic to snakes outside the house through her alert body stance and refusal to venture past the door.
Helen said despite Pippa’s blindness she still managed to navigate the family property through her senses, familiarity and her understanding of the meaning of human commands such as ‘careful’ enabling her to accompany the family while walking off-leash on their morning outings around their acreage property.
Helen said “adding their guide dog to a blind dog had been a marvellous and successful venture” for them all.
