Black lab helps blind husky be a regular dog
Published: March 14, 2007
Man’s best friend is also dog’s best friend.
At least that is the case with 4-year-old Labrador retriever mix Boomer and 10-year-old husky Luke.
For decades, dogs have been assisting blind or disabled people all over the world with their daily travels.
Boomer is helping Luke be a regular dog.
Almost every morning, Boomer can be found at Flat Rock Park off Loop 534 running with Luke in tow. Luke, a rescued husky, recently lost his eyesight from cataracts.
“I was trying to think of a way to improve Luke’s quality of life,” said Kerrville dog owner Bob Palmer. “I saw a show on working dogs where a dog was a lead dog for another. One night I decided I would give it a try with Boomer and Luke.”
A blue harness on Boomer stretches back to Luke’s collar as they run throughout the park.
“It gives Luke an opportunity to run with the dogs,” Palmer said. “To just be a dog.”
It’s been a couple of months since Boomer has served as a guide dog for Luke, and it seems to be working out.
“They occasionally get caught between a tree or tangled up,” Palmer said, laughing, “but the husky knows he has to make the adjustment.”
The harness on Boomer doesn’t seem to bother him as he leads Luke. After making a lap around Flat Rock Park, both of their tongues hang out.
“I just put the harness on him and told him this was his job,” Palmer said. “Boomer has a great personality and he took right to it. He’s probably the best dog I have ever had.”
Palmer recently “adopted” Luke and 10-year-old golden retriever Tuke from his daughter.
“My daughter in Plano found out she is having a baby and they live in a one-bedroom apartment, so they were going to have to get rid of their dogs,” he said. “I guess I was in the Christmas spirit, because I decided to adopt the dogs. They have been with me since Christmas Day.”
The mornings belong to the dogs at Flat Rock Park. At least 10 dog owners and their energetic canines zoom around the park, and now, thanks to Boomer, so can Luke.
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
If you like this, you'll love Good Animal News:
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: