In 2021, Sierra and her husband Josh, who asked to keep their last name private, welcomed a deaf Australian shepherd named Levi into their home. From the start, it was clear that Levi was a special dog.
βLevi is energetic and loving, and he brings so much joy into our lives,β Sierra and Josh shared.
Although they cherished their time with Levi, they thought he might benefit from a companion. A few months later, they adopted Maisy, a golden retriever described as βaffectionate and very intuitive,β which made her a great match for Levi.
As a puppy, Maisy looked up to Levi as a big brother. But as she grew, their roles shifted.
βNow, Maisy is the one who takes care of Levi instinctively,β the couple said. βSheβs like a mama bear to him, though she still relies on him and follows him closely.β
Despite Leviβs deafness and Maisyβs hearing, theyβve developed their own special way of communicating. One night, Sierra and Josh observed a touching display of their bond. After returning from a night out, Levi was still asleep. Maisy approached his bed and gently tapped him with her paw to wake him, careful not to startle him.
Sierra and Josh were astonishedβMaisy had figured this out on her own without any training.
βWe were amazed and deeply moved,β they said. βIt was such a sweet, instinctive gesture that highlighted their strong bond.β
What they initially thought might be a one-time occurrence turned into a recurring routine. Over the past two years, Maisy has continued to gently wake Levi in this way. However, the two are often inseparable, frequently falling asleep cuddled up together.
Watching Levi and Maisyβs interactions brings Sierra and Josh immense joy and gratitude. βTheir relationship is a beautiful reminder of the love and care animals can show each other, and it has profoundly touched our hearts,β they said.
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