Will be 14 years old in July 2023 had him since almost birth. Love the guy, remarkable (I posted in the past so will keep this short)
Do to uncontrollable glaucoma unable to be stopped by 2 (a 3rd one consult) medical practices his eyes were removed in 2021. Still was able to fetch a ball with a bell in it using the sound of the bell, still able to lead us on the leash around our community, still able to go up and down the stairs in the house all day long, eat and put himself to bed.
Fast forward almost 2 years, his hearing not great, no longer can fetch a ball. But his zest for life is unhindered. He is as crazy as a puppy to this day when he plays. He has his basket of toys that he picks out a toy on his own to play with, in the evening I sit down after dinner for tug of war with a empty water bottle, he loves the crunch of the bottle. Im telling you, he is INCREDIBLY strong for a small dog, never mind his age. He can pull and twist your arm if your not careful. My wife and I learned a lot from him, getting over a disability he just every day amazes us.
Even "stares" at my wife while she eats after he finishes eating because he knows he will get scraps. He can smell food on the kitchen counter and somehow knows which way to face. They say dogs can smell in "stereo" like we hear with our ears, they can tell the direction of the smell.
First photo, the second he senses my fingers going to grab his right paw, he pulls his paw away, he will dance back and forth as I try to grab his front paws almost like he still had his eyes. He is that quick and constantly amazes us.
Every night he puts himself to bed... oh... that is his favorite toy to bark at. (thing is, you never really know if he is sleeping!!! *LOL*)