A Retired Army Veteran Finds Companionship With A Blind And Deaf Dog Who Spent 200 Days In A Shelter
Dogs are known to be stress relievers for many. Some experts conduct specific studies on the science behind the advantages they can provide, but in general, their loyalty and companionship are their most remarkable traits.
When you find the right dog for you, you’ll understand what they mean by unconditional love. They’ll be there for you through your ups and downs, even if they don’t fully comprehend your life.
For retired Army combat veteran Steve, the blind and deaf dog he aptly named ‘Private’ became his companion. This dog spent approximately 200 days in a shelter before being adopted by the veteran.
From a young age, Steve always knew the path he wanted to follow. He dreamed of serving in the military, inspired by his father, who was a Korean War veteran.
He enlisted in the Army National Guard but felt unfulfilled until he joined the active-duty Army. He served as a heavy anti-armor infantryman, where he not only found passion in his work but also experienced a strong sense of brotherhood.
Steve traveled extensively and faced numerous risks that came with the job. During one of his deployments, he sustained injuries from an improvised explosive device blast.
The trauma associated with Steve’s career left him with not only physical scars but also mental and emotional ones, including Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, the events that led him to meet Private were actually due to a non-service-related injury.
After the injury, he was transferred to the military intelligence sector, which he surprisingly enjoyed. He eventually got married, and they fostered two siblings with Autism Spectrum Disorder who required a lot of care.
Steve, with his own diagnosis, could relate to the children, and they soon adopted them. Unfortunately, he ended up being separated and relocating an hour away from his family because of his job.
When he finally retired, they made him promise that he would get a dog of his own so he wouldn’t feel too lonely when he couldn’t see them often. It was also something he considered to alleviate the isolation he felt while transitioning from military to civilian life.
After checking the websites of Texas shelters, he stumbled upon a post on Veterans Day about Ernie. Ernie, who was later renamed Private, was born deaf and nearly blind on a ranch. He was given up because the rancher could no longer care for him.
Steve could relate to his needs, which were similar to his own. He discovered that Ernie spent most of his ‘childhood’ between the Texas Humane Heroes shelter and the previous shelter he was in. It was nearly 200 days without a forever home.
Steve applied for their adoption or fostering program and renamed Ernie when they got home. From then on, he learned how to cohabitate with his new buddy, adjusting to the dog’s needs and preferences, such as car rides.
Naturally, Steve eventually introduced Private to his sons, who had made him promise to get a dog in the first place. Slowly but surely, the skittish dog adjusted to them as well.
After experiencing the benefits and fulfillment that adopting a dog brought him, Steve wanted to encourage other veterans to consider doing the same. If they don’t have the means to adopt, visiting shelters might also be helpful.
Steve notes that adopting his two sons is his biggest achievement, and because of them, he also found his buddy, Private. The dog who spent so long in the shelter finally found someone who would care for him.
Share this article:
