The biggest wish of every pup waiting in a shelter is to find a forever home and loving humans who will make them feel safe and cherished.
They dream of stepping beyond the shelter doors, discovering freedom, and living a life filled with joy. Sadly, older dogs and those with special needs are often overlooked, making it much harder for them to be adopted.
This story is about Virgil, a sweet puppy born blind in a Louisiana shelter. As he grew, he too longed for the “happily-ever-after” that all his fellow shelter mates hoped for.
Virgil Wins Over His Family
A kind foster family in Ohio opened their home to Virgil, giving him the warmth and affection he had never known before. With their love, the little pup thrived and soon began his search for a permanent family.
When Emmeline and her husband first saw Virgil, they instantly fell for him and knew they wanted to adopt him. Since they had no experience with blind dogs, they spent time researching and speaking with owners of blind pups. At just three months old, Virgil officially became part of their family.
Though his new parents worried about how he would adjust, their fears quickly disappeared. The very first day, Virgil settled in as if he had always belonged there. He joyfully ran into the yard, met his siblings—Biscotti, Carragher, and Stevie—and immediately began to play. His parents were astonished at how fearless he was.
An Extraordinary Pup
From the moment he arrived, Virgil insisted on doing everything independently. He even refused to be carried up the stairs—choosing instead to tackle them himself. That was just the beginning of the many surprises he would bring.
It didn’t take long for Virgil to memorize the layout of the house, moving around with ease. Visitors who met him were often stunned. Many couldn’t believe he was blind.
“… We have to remind people that he is blind because they have no idea and they usually don’t believe us and they say, he must be able to see shadows or something. He can’t see anything at all. He was born without his retinas attached, so it’s always been pure black for him,” said Emmeline.
Not only is Virgil clever, but he’s also incredibly loving. He showers his parents with hugs and endless kisses, making sure they know how much he adores them. He bonds closely with his furry siblings as well.
On family hikes, Virgil often takes the lead.
“He thinks he needs to be out front showing our other dogs how to do it even though he can’t see what’s in front of him,” Emmeline said.
Because of his grass allergy, Virgil always hikes in a shirt—another small adjustment that doesn’t hold him back from adventures.
Living His Dream
Emmeline believes that building trust and clear communication is the key to helping blind dogs feel secure and confident. Virgil is excellent on a leash, but when his parents let him explore freely, they guide him with voice commands to avoid obstacles.
“He believes that if I chose to let him run free without the safety net of the leash, there must truly be nothing to fear and he explores without hesitation… Watching him explore is so rewarding to me because I know it’s built on his trust in me and the confidence we developed together,” his mom wrote on Instagram.
Virgil’s presence has deeply changed his family. Inspired by him, they began fostering other special-needs dogs, hoping to give back some of the love they received from their brave pup. Virgil has even helped them gain a deeper understanding of human disabilities.
“There are so many people out there living with various disabilities that it’s just the only life they’ve known, that it’s just their life and they’re not lesser because of it. People with disabilities, dogs with disabilities can do literally anything,“ Emmeline said.
Virgil and his siblings often share their adventures on Instagram, showcasing the joyful life they live together. His family treasures him more than anything and is grateful every day for the happiness he’s brought into their lives.
We couldn’t be happier that Virgil found his perfect family. His journey is a reminder of how much love and joy special-needs dogs can bring, if only given the chance.