As a proud dog owner, it’s sometimes hard to accept the fact that your four-legged buddy isn’t perfect. Say what?
I mean, of course they are to us, no matter what their bill of health says or how long it sometimes takes them to master a certain command.
Still, in a completely unbiased manner, we all reach that “Okay, I need to accept this” moment and face reality. Recently, a Vermont owner, Casey Rock, experienced this when he noticed his senior Shih Tzu, Shimmy, bumping into doors.
At first, he thought it was due to Shimmy’s overly-long coat covering his eyes. Then, he realized it was something far more serious!
It Wasn’t Because Of His Fur
Shimmy walked into Casey’s life at the age of fifteen, hoping to spend his senior years in a loving, cozy home. And, guess what? Not only did he receive all the love, but he actually blossomed into a puppy-like senior whose age became just a number.
Shimmy, now seventeen, is still going strong. However, his recent “clumsiness” made his owner wonder.
Casey noticed Shimmy had been accidentally bumping into doors and stumbling more than he used to. At first, the owner tried trimming the hair around his eyes to help him see clearly. But, even then, the problem didn’t seem to disappear. It only got worse.
One day, Shimmy seemed completely disoriented when he barked at the door, thinking it was an actual person – and that’s when Casey realized: he was almost completely blind!
“I thought my dog’s hair was getting in his eyes and that’s why he couldn’t see very well, so I got just a quick trim around his eyes, and he’s currently yelling at my door to give him food. He’s blind,” Rock wrote in the post.
The Vermont owner, who was already posting Shimmy’s hilarious videos on his TikTok, decided to share this recent situation with his followers. Little did he know that Shimmy’s “door issue” would soon become a social media sensation.
As the video went viral on TikTok, his comment section flooded with hilarious reactions.
“He’s not blind he just knows that door is hiding food somewhere and demanding it gives up it’s secret,” one commenter jokingly wrote.
Some people shared their own similar experiences with their pups.
“Trimmed up my yorkie thinking the same. Then got his eyes checked. Hair is short, eyes are fine. Turns out he has dementia,” one person added.
Nearly 18 But Still Full Of Spirit
There’s no doubt Shimmy isn’t in his prime anymore. Being seventeen has sure taken a toll on his health, but even now, his energy is unmatched!
He’s still a lively pup with a great spirit who looks forward to experiencing new adventures. Shimmy still has multiple walks on a daily basis, which is quite stunning, given that he’s about to turn eighteen in October.
Even though Shimmy’s visual impairment is an inconvenience for his daily activities, there’s no doubt Casey will be there for him every step of the way.
In the meantime, Shimmy will continue to enjoy his happy little life, lounging on a comfy couch and being the king of his own home. One thing is for sure: his golden years sure deserve all the comfort!