Dog Left Blind by Previous Owners Adopted by Visually-Impaired Marine Veteran

• When Louis developed an eye infection late last year, his owners didn’t seek treatment and both eyes cannot be saved.
• The dog was also struck by a car and broke his leg but didn’t receive the care he needed.
• Louis was surrendered to a pound where he was discovered by a visually-impaired Marine veteran who adopted him.

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Louis’ previous owners decided to have his eyes removed instead of seeking treatment after a severe infection. Because he was already blind, the dog was struck by a car while wandering outside. His leg was broken and healed improperly when he didn’t receive the treatment he needed.

Louis’s former owner found it too hard to care for a blind dog so he was surrendered to a pound in California. The dog was rescued by Helen Woodward Animal Center and brought to their facility in Rancho Santa Fe.

The animal center shared his story and received an outpouring of support, donations, and adoption applications. And they found Louis’s perfect match.

Marine veteran Steve Walker, like Louis, is visually-impaired. He and his family — wife Kacey Walker, and daughter Jordan — adopted Louis.

Steve started gradually losing his sight since the age of 18 due to a rare eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. But the condition did not deter Steve’s life. He regularly competes in marathons and triathlons, making him a great role model for Louis, who is learning to adjust to a life without sight.

Great for Louis, the Walker home is already outfitted to accommodate Steve’s blindness so the adjustments will help Louis too. The Walkers also have two loving rescue pups.

“Our pets are so loved and spoiled,” Jordan said in a statement about Louis’ adoption.  “We just know that Louis is going to be the perfect addition to our pack.”

Louis gained thousands of fans when his story was shared. His adoption fees were “completely covered” by a Good Samaritan and he also received “one year of veterinary services and 10 sessions of training services from San Diego Pet Training.

Here are what Louis received from donations shared by the animal center in their release announcing Louis’ adoption: a $500 Petco Gift Card and a Subaru Loves Pets Adoption Kit from Frank Subaru: an original artwork print of Louis created by an Instagram Louis-fan named Erika Ho; two bags of Blue Buffalo Pet Food; and a card signed by the entire staff who worked with the sweet pup at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Be happy with your new family, Louis!

Source: People