Robin Wagner, from Burlington, Vermont, and her boyfriend had been searching for the perfect dog for quite some time, but none of their visits to shelters or rescues felt right.
That changed the moment Robin came across Blaze’s adoption profile online. Something about his face and gentle expression captured her heart instantly. She knew he was meant to be theirs.
What Robin didn’t realize was that bringing Blaze home would lead to several unexpected surprises.
Discoveries Begin
“We didn’t even know about the teeth before he came home. That was a glorious surprise,” Robin told GeoBeats Animals.
Blaze’s unusual teeth were only the beginning.
Described as a German Shepherd and Greyhound mix, Blaze’s rescue mentioned that his eyes appeared slightly sunken but that he didn’t seem to have any vision issues. Robin took their word for it until small clues suggested something wasn’t right.
After a visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist, they finally learned the truth. Blaze was blind in his right eye, and surgery would be needed to try to preserve what vision he had left in his other eye.
It was difficult news to process, but Robin and her boyfriend were determined to give Blaze every chance at a happy life.
“About two weeks post-surgery, I was on a walk with Blaze and he just started to walk into everything. I rushed him back to the ophthalmologist only to find surgery was not successful, and Blaze was now also blind in his left eye,” Robin said.
Blaze had lost his sight completely, yet he adjusted with remarkable courage. He learned how to navigate his surroundings using his other senses and refused to let blindness stop him from living fully.
“We had his right eye surgically removed due to repeated infections. And I think I was more put off by the change than he was,” Robin shared.
Learning To Live Differently
Blaze faced one challenge after another, but his spirit remained strong.
When he first arrived, he was underweight at only 50 pounds. With steady care, good food, and love, he gained 30 pounds and reached a healthy weight of 80 pounds.
Once his health stabilized, Robin turned her focus toward helping him build confidence.
“We’re working very closely with a trainer to help Blaze feel a little less apprehensive about the world,” she said.
Losing his sight had left Blaze anxious and reactive. Every unfamiliar sound startled him. Robin and her boyfriend began talking to him constantly, guiding him gently through daily routines and offering calm reassurance.
It wasn’t easy, but step by step, Blaze began to trust again.
“Obviously, we didn’t anticipate the number of challenges we would face after we adopted Blaze. But given the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. He’s my very best friend and I count my lucky stars every single day for him,” Robin said.
Even the couple’s cat, Satin, became part of Blaze’s support system. Acting as an unexpected guide, Satin uses small meows and chirps to help him navigate the house safely.
“Every time he’d be walking towards her, she would meow. She would meow, and he would stop and redirect himself,” Robin told People.
Though Satin isn’t the cuddliest companion, she clearly cares about Blaze in her own quiet way.
Now, the family shares updates about Blaze’s journey and daily life on his Instagram page, where followers are inspired by his resilience and sweet personality.
Blaze’s story is a beautiful reminder that love can overcome any obstacle, and that the most unexpected challenges can lead to the strongest bonds.
