The beautiful and pure friendship of poppy and his blind friend.

Over time, Tao became more accustomed to navigating his surroundings without the aid of his vision. His caretakers, however, wanted to ensure that he experienced a smooth adjustment period. As a result, they introduced him to Oko – a specially trained canine companion who acted as his guide. Since then, the two Golden Retriever siblings have formed an unbreakable bond and are inseparable pals! 

Starting afresh
Melanie Jackson, the mother of Tao and Oko, recounted the unexpected occurrence of Tao’s blindness. She revealed that he was perfectly fine in the morning, but later on, he began shaking his head as though he was in agony. After about five hours, they took him to the vet where it was discovered that he had lost his sight. The vet advised them to put him down, but Jackson refused to even entertain the thought. She was determined to do everything she could to make sure Tao remained safe, happy, and healthy despite his condition. Jackson was willing to go the extra mile and incur additional costs because Tao was no different than any other member of her family. 

After Tao lost his first eye, he managed to keep his second one for a few weeks longer with the help of Jackson’s regular use of eye drops to control his eye pressure. During this time, Jackson helped Tao prepare for a sightless life by teaching him how to navigate without visual cues. By the time Tao’s second eye was removed, he had become adept at moving around independently. Still, even experts need support sometimes, and Jackson felt it was important to provide Tao with assistance. That’s why she decided to introduce him to Oko, who could offer Tao companionship and protection on a regular basis. 

Oko comes to the rescue for his brother Tao. Since Oko joined the family, he and Tao have become inseparable. Oko is loyal to his older brother, even walking him on a leash when needed. The pup has brought joy to Tao’s life, especially now that he has a new baby sibling to share his time with. Jackson, their owner, was overjoyed when Tao started walking up and down the stairs only three days after his surgery. However, Jackson noticed that Tao needed someone to play with and help him since he lost his sight. Oko has filled that role perfectly and has become Tao’s constant companion and helper. 

Jackson was spot on when he said that Tao found comfort in having Oko around. Tao’s emotions were heightened and he felt a sense of security with his furry companion by his side. They enjoy frolicking around in open fields and occasionally doze off next to each other. Their bond is truly heartwarming. Oko, who is now 16 weeks old, is always striving to improve his skills as Tao’s guide dog. Jackson shares delightful pictures and videos of the duo on their personal Instagram account. Follow their page to stay updated on their adventures!