AdminOko the puppy, an adorable puppy in Somerset has become the ‘guide dog’ for his blind golden retriever buddy Tao.
Tao, 11, had to get his eyes removed after experiencing excruciating pain due to glaucoma last year. After visiting the veterinarian, one of the eyes that were badly affected had to be removed.
‘Tao was diagnosed with glaucoma which is when the eye has an irregular drainage angle and cannot drain away the fluid’ owner Melanie Jackson said.
‘We were told his second eye will need removing to but we were able to control the pressure for a few weeks by applying eye drops,’ she added.
Eleven months after the first eye removal, Tao’s remaining eye’s eyesight was fading and had to be removed as well.
Tao was taught new commands after his second eye was removed in January and he adapted brilliantly.
‘We were pleasantly surprised when Tao began walking up and down the stairs just three days after his operation,’ she said.
Despite being able to walk off the lead, something was still missing as Melanie felt he needed a buddy to help and play with him since he can no longer see.
It prompted her to introduce Oko to Tao when he was just eight-weeks-old and they have formed a special bond instantly.
Oko, is 16 weeks old now and is the perfect companion for Tao when they both go on their walks.
‘Tao follows him around the fields and they sleep with each other,’ Melanie said.
