You all have heard of a seeing-eye-dog, but have you heard of a seeing-eye cat? Not only is this a seeing-eye-cat, but she became a guide for her doggie companion!
Blaze, a German Shepherd cross, went blind in 2020, but thankfully his cat sister Satin has learned to ‘talk’ to him and guide him around the house.
Robin Wagner, the owner of these two amazing pets, adopted Blaze in 2019. However, at his first checkup, it was revealed he had vision problems.
Vets diagnosed Blaze as blind in one eye and had lens issues in the other that would deteriorate.
The vets recommended surgery in order to preserve what remained of Blaze’s sight and prevent glaucoma but to no avail.
The preschool teacher from Vermont commented on her Cat- Satin’s new roommate saying: “A new creature was all up in her space and even when he could see, he ran into her a lot.”
Unfortunately, Blaze went completely blind in October 2020. In December of that year, Blaze also had his eye right eye removed to stop infection.
Robin stated, “Blaze going blind caused a huge regression in his social anxiety. He became very anxious and reactive. We had to do a lot of work with trainers to help him gain his confidence back.”
Satin had a lot on her plate in dealing with her new friend. Due to Blazes’ blindness, she was getting stepped on a lot.
“Satin enjoys rubbing herself against his long legs, much like a cat does against a table or chair. Once Blaze totally lost vision though, she was getting stepped on a lot.” said Robin.
But then Robin noticed something incredible.
Robin went on to say, “But over time, we noticed Satin staying in her spot and giving Blaze a nice loud meow. He’d stop himself, and walk around her,” she said.
The wise cats’ interventions paid off! Soon Blaze and Satin began to use this system when they were getting around the house.
Robin said: “Every time he’d be walking towards her, she would meow. She would meow and he would stop and redirect himself.”
This interaction for Blaze not only helped guide him around the house but helped him with his anxiety and made him feel less isolated.
Robin stated, “I think Blaze going blind caused Satin and Blaze to become closer. Before going blind they were more like ships passing in the night. Now, they take opportunities to acknowledge each other.”
Robin continued saying, “While she isn’t the most affectionate and cuddliest of cats with us, she for sure tells Blaze she loves him, and it’s the most beautiful thing to see.”
