Blind Dog Recovers Vision And Gets Her First Sight At Foster Parents

Emma Ackerman

Back in the spring of 2020, a lovely pit bull named Hazel found herself at Mr. Bones & Co. and Rescue the Runway, abandoned and battling the harsh realities of life. At the time of arriving at the shelter, this eight- to nine-year-old pup, struggling with diabetes, had endured a life of backyard breeding and blindness. How terrible, isn’t it? However, despite the odds stacked against her, Hazel's journey took a hopeful turn when kind hearts and caring hands stepped in to rewrite her story.

“She came to us after a life of backyard breeding, a blind senior struggling with diabetic ketoacidosis which almost took her life,” Mr. Bones & Co. and Rescue the Runway wrote.

To make things clearer, Hazel's visual impairment meant she had to navigate the world through heightened senses—listening, feeling, and smelling her way through adversity. But you know what? These challenges never had a chance to let her down. She’s always the loveliest member at the shelter, and everyone loves her.

Sadly, though Mr. Bones & Co. and Rescue the Runway staff were all captivated by her incredible strength, they couldn't provide Hazel with a forever home. Thankfully, there were kind people willing to go out of their way to help Hazel and give her food, warmth, and a safe place before finding her adoptive parents.

And Elli and Sam are that compassionate couple who were eager to be Hazel's temporary haven. With a makeshift system that included a safe environment, sound cues, and signals, Elli and Sam worked tirelessly to help Hazel adapt. And in this nurturing space, Hazel's spirit truly blossomed, and soon she was playing without the fear that once gripped her.

“When we heard Hazel was blind, we wanted to make sure we did some research. We tried to kind of p out the best way for her to get her bearing,” the couple said in an interview.

Later, as the seasons changed, so did Hazel's foster parents. There came another wonderful couple, Allison and Pete, who took over the role and promised to provide lovely Hazel with a new, loving home.

However, the couple could never have imagined that they were about to witness a miracle. One day, Mr. Bones & Co. announced that Hazel, who was scheduled for eye surgery to restore her sight, was about to experience a life-altering transformation.

And in October 2020, Hazel finally underwent bilateral cataract surgery, a procedure that would bring light to her once-dark world. The surgery was a success, and the moment Hazel laid eyes on Allison and Pete, her foster parents, was nothing short of touching.

Allison, now responsible for Hazel's post-surgery care, approached the task with all her heart. With yummy treats in hand, she administered eye drops, ensuring Hazel's continued well-being.