The ultimate aspiration of all puppies residing in a shelter is to discover a caring home and human guardians who will make them feel valued and nurtured.
They yearn to live life beyond the confines of the shelter and experience what it means to be liberated.
Unfortunately, senior shelter dogs and those with special needs are regarded as less appealing and face difficulties in finding a home.
Our next tale features Virgil, a delightful puppy born without sight in a shelter located in Louisiana. As he grew a little older, he started to envision discovering his happily-ever-after, just like all his fellow residents.
Virgil Captures The Heart Of His Family
A wonderful foster family in Ohio decided to take in Virgil, welcoming him into their home. They showered him with love and care, causing the adorable puppy to flourish. Soon, he embarked on the quest for a permanent home.
When Emmeline and her spouse encountered Virgil, they were instantly smitten and wanted to adopt him. Not having much knowledge about caring for blind dogs, they dedicated time to research and sought advice from individuals with experience.
He was three months old when he was welcomed into their abode. They were anxious about his adjustment to his new life.
The moment they met him, they realized their concerns were unfounded.
On the very day he arrived, Virgil seamlessly integrated into the family. He dashed to the yard, greeted his siblings, Biscotti, Carragher, and Stevie, and began playing with them. His parents were astonished by his bravery.
The Incredible Pup
From the moment he arrived, Virgil was determined to accomplish everything independently. He didn’t even allow his family to assist him up the stairs; he insisted on doing it himself.
That was merely the commencement of the delightful surprises he was ready to unveil to them.
He swiftly familiarized himself with the location of all the furniture and navigated through the house with ease. Everyone who encountered Virgil was in awe of him. Some individuals couldn’t even comprehend that he was blind.
“… We frequently have to remind people that he is blind because they often doubt us, suggesting he must see shadows or something. He sees absolutely nothing at all. His retinas were never attached, so it has always been pitch black for him,” remarked Emmeline.
In addition to being an exceptionally smart pup, he is also very loving towards his parents. He embraces them and showers their faces with kisses, demonstrating how much they mean to him.
Virgil adores his canine siblings as well. During hikes, Virgil takes the lead.
“He believes he must be out in front, showing the other dogs how it’s done, even though he cannot perceive what’s ahead of him,” Emmeline shared.
Virgil always wears a shirt during their hikes due to his grass allergy.
Living His Best Life
His mother is convinced that fostering trust and communication contributes to happier and more self-assured blind dogs. Virgil walks proficiently on a leash, yet he confidently explores his environment when his parents allow him off leash.
They utilize commands to alert him to any obstacles he may face along the way.
“He believes that if I choose to let him run without the safety of the leash, there must truly be nothing to fear, and he explores without reservation… Observing him discover is incredibly fulfilling for me because I recognize it stems from his trust in me and the confidence we’ve built together,” his mother conveyed on Instagram.
Virgil’s family is profoundly thankful to have him in their lives. Their beloved dog was the catalyst for their decision to foster special-needs dogs, serving as their way of giving back.
The remarkable pup has enriched his family’s understanding of human disabilities.
“There are numerous individuals out there living with various disabilities, and that is the only life they’ve ever known; it is their reality, and they are not inferior because of it. People with disabilities, dogs with disabilities can achieve literally anything,” Emmeline stated.
Virgil and his canine siblings frequently share their escapades on their Instagram account. They are living their dream existence.
Virgil’s family holds him dear and treasures him above all else in the world.
We are delighted that Virgil has found joy with his forever family. We aspire that his narrative will inspire more individuals to consider giving special-needs dogs an opportunity. That’s all they truly require.