Smart Animals- Know that Love is Blind

We took delivery of our West Highland terrier puppy Jaz in 2008, aged ten weeks – a gorgeous chubby little pup. Summer was in full swing, so soon we were regularly taking Jaz for swims and walks.

When she was about four months old, we drove out to a busy water hole to help release some of her boundless energy. I was walking Jaz on her lead along the riverbank when suddenly she pulled me towards a group of little girls who were sitting and playing nearby. The mother of one of the girls said it was fine, they would love to have a play with Jaz. But Jaz had her eye on only one of the children: a girl about ten years old, who was sitting on a big river stone with her cap on and who wasn’t joining in with the others.

To my surprise Jaz quietly walked up to this little girl and sat at her feet. For a playful puppy, Jaz sat very quietly. The child then patted and rubbed Jaz all over. She popped her fingers in Jaz’s ears, patted her the full length, pulled her tail and felt her paws. I soon realised that the girl was totally blind – Jaz seemed to be letting her use her hands to see. “One day soon, Mummy, will I have a dog like this to help me see?” she said.

I had never seen Jaz so quiet and calm with another child before. As crazy as it seemed, Jaz must have sensed this little girl was blind and had chosen to go and sit with her. It was an extraordinary thing to witness.

Deborah Maurice