When illness caused veterinarians to remove the eyes of Lily, a Great Dane, it appeared her prospects for a happy life had dimmed.
But to everyone’s surprise, her companion Maddison took on the role of her guide dog.
The two have been inseparable for years. Now, however, they are looking for a new home, as their owner is no longer able to care for them.
The special consideration for anyone looking to adopt Lily and Maddison is that they come as a pair. The two dogs have been waiting at the Dogs Trust rehoming center in Shrewsbury since July, hoping to find a loving home together.
Louise Campbell, the center’s manager, explained, “Maddison is Lily’s guide dog. When they’re out, Maddison usually takes the lead, while Lily walks closely by her side, following her guidance. It’s incredibly touching to see. Maddison is always looking out for her.”
Lily was just a puppy when she developed an illness that caused her eyelashes to grow inward, damaging her eyes beyond repair.
During this time, seven-year-old Maddison stepped in to care for Lily, and their bond only grew stronger.
The two loyal companions lived together until their previous owners could no longer care for them. Miss Campbell shared that, despite Lily’s blindness, her other senses have sharpened. Even when they are apart, Lily can sense Maddison’s presence. They often snuggle up together at night and communicate through vocal cues.
While their specific barks haven’t been thoroughly analyzed, Miss Campbell observed that when Lily wants to move and Maddison is in the way, the tone of her bark changes. These two dogs share a deep bond and truly enjoy each other’s company.
Miss Campbell noted that Lily behaves just like any other dog, and from a distance, it’s hard to tell she has any visual impairment. She added that both dogs have a positive outlook on life, always seeing the glass as half full.
Having spent so much time together, they are content with each other’s company and follow their daily routine with affection. Miss Campbell mentioned that their size, age, and the need to be adopted as a pair might have discouraged potential adopters. She urged anyone considering adoption to carefully evaluate their lifestyle and be aware of the responsibilities involved.
“When you meet them in person, they don’t seem as enormous as you might think. These two amazing large girls deserve the chance to spend the rest of their lives together in a loving home,” she expressed.
