A Retired Army Veteran Finds Companionship With A Blind And Deaf Dog Who Spent 200 Days In A Shelter

‘Geez, this dog would fit right in with us.’

Chelsi

• Published in Animal Stories
• July 5, 2022

Dogs are known to be stress relievers to many. Some experts create specific studies about the science behind the advantages they could contribute, but in general, their loyalty and companionship are their incredible feat.

When you find the right dog for you, you’ll know what they mean when they say, unconditional love. They’ll be there for you through your ups and downs even if they don’t understand what your life is all about.

For the retired Army combat veteran Steve, the blind and deaf dog he aptly named ‘Private’ became his buddy. The blind and deaf dog stayed in a shelter for about 200 days before he was adopted by the veteran.

Ever since Steve was young, he always knew the path he wanted to be on. He dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps of serving as he was a Korean War veteran.

He went to enlist in the Army National Guard but he was unfulfilled until he joined the active-duty Army. He served as a heavy anti-armor infantry where he not only felt passion for his work but also the brotherhood that was present.

Steve traveled all over with and experienced a long list of risks that comes with the job. In one of his deployments, he sustained injuries because of an improvised explosive device blast.

The trauma that comes with Steve’s career left him with not just physical scars but also mental and emotional ones like Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But with all that said, the way the events led up to him meeting Private was actually because of a non-service-related injury.

After the injury, he was transferred into the military intelligence sector, which he surprisingly liked. He eventually got married and they fostered two siblings with Autism spectrum disorder who needed a lot of care.

Steve, with his own diagnosis, could relate to the kids and they soon adopted them. Unfortunately, he ended up being separated and relocate an hour away from his family because of his job.

But when he finally retired they made him promise that he’ll get a dog of his own so he wouldn’t be too lonely when he can’t see them often. It’s also something that he thought of to alleviate the isolation he feels as he transitions from being in the military to civilian life.

After checking out the websites of Texas shelters, he stumbled upon a post on Veteran’s day about Ernie. Ernie, who was later renamed Private was born deaf and almost blind on a ranch. He was given up due to the rancher not being able to care for him.

Steve could relate to his needs which are similar to his own. He found out that Ernie spend most of his ‘childhood’ between Texas Humane Heroes shelter and the previous shelter he was in. It was nearly 200 days of not having a forever home.

Steve applied for their adoption or fostering program and renamed Ernie when they got home and from then he learned how to co-habitat with his new buddy. Adjusting to the dog’s needs and likes, such as car rides.

Naturally, Steve would eventually introduce Private to his sons who made him promise to get a dog in the first place. Slowly but surely the skittish dog adjusted to them as well.

After seeing the benefits and fulfillment that adopting a dog gave Steve, he wanted to encourage other veterans to think about doing it as well. If they don’t have the means to do it, visiting shelters might be helpful as well.

Steve notes that adopting his two sons is his biggest achievement and because of them he also found his buddy, Private. And the dog who spent so long in the shelter finally found someone who’ll care for him.

Chelsi