A blind rescue dog has gained some online popularity with his enthusiasm for a simple game of fetch.
Every day, his owner will post a video to the TikTok account @zpoopee showing the blind dog playing a game of fetch. Even though he can’t see, he “activates sniffer mode” and retrieves the ball.
First, the dog listens to where the ball drops and attempts to run in the right direction. Some days he is more on target than others. But at least he never gives up. Then, using his excellent sniffer, he tracks down the ball.
The caption reads: “POV: Your rescue has no eyes but loves playing fetch.”
The dog’s tail was wagging the entire time, from the moment he knew the ball was going to be thrown to when he successfully retrieved it. He was so proud, as he should be!
The November 8 TikTok video became one of his most popular videos, with over 2.7 million views, 236,100 likes and nearly 1,000 comments. His owner continues to share the dog’s game of fetch every day.
“He looked so confident when he looked the OPPOSITE way the ball was rolling,” commented the viral @weratedogs account.
Someone else wrote: “Everyone missing your other videos where he catches it mid-bounce, like Ninja.”
The next step is for the dog to take his fetch skills outside. “Next week we play fetch outside for the first time!” the creator’s bio reads.
Newsweek reached out to @zpoopee via TikTok for additional comment.
Pilar Membrado Ferreres/Getty Images
Dogs can be born blind, while other canines can lose their vision over time. The latter is typically associated with old age, but it can also strike young dogs. The common blindness-causing conditions include canine cataracts, glaucoma and sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome, or SARDS, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Owners might start recognizing their dog is losing vision if it seems disoriented or bumping into things.
But vision loss does not mean it is done being a playful dog. Playing is an important part of a dog’s life. Blind dogs use their other senses to compensate for their lack of sight. The AKC recommends using dog toys that squeak, rattle or make noise, which will make it easier for your pet to find.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.