Blind Senior Corgi Finds His Inner Joy Trotting Along Favorite Trail

Blind dogs can live very fulfilling lives. They don't have to see to know they're loved, and if you're willing to find or provide accommodations, they can do just about anything a sighted dog could do!

For example, look at this video from September 15th, when a blind senior Corgi had the time of his life walking his favorite trail. They walked it for years before he started showing real signs of aging. Even though he's not as young as he once was, he's still living just as well as he can:

Shorty the Corgi is a happy boy, and that's all that matters. As long as he's happy and feeling good, everything else will fall into place eventually.

Related: Woman’s Commentary on Bundle of Baby Corgis Is Just Too Funny

Shorty is 14 years old, which is definitely on the older end of the spectrum for Corgis, who only live an average of 15 years. He's showing some signs of aging, like his blindness and early stage dementia, but he's still moving well and his mom says that when he's feeling good, he's feeling really good. That's when they go on their trail walks, which they've been doing for years. Even though he's blind, he still knows where to go!

Blind dogs can navigate the world pretty well with their other senses; they can detect obstacles by listening for the sound of snapping twigs, for example. If their caretaker is there with them, they'll follow their scent and their voice: notice how Shorty is walking behind his mom without issue? It's amazing to watch!

Why Do Dogs Go Blind As They Age?

Clouding of the eyes happens to most dogs in some capacity as they get older, and the same is often true for humans.

As they age, proteins in a dog's eyes can break down and clump together, often causing a cloudy film over the eye called cataracts. Humans get them as well, and typically have the surgically removed and replaced with artificial ones, but that is always not deemed "necessary" for dogs. When they do get it, though, it often goes well!

Some breeds are more likely to go blind as they age than others, like most short-snouted breeds, Golden Retrievers, and Corgis in particular. Corgis are prone to eye problems throughout their lives that often culminate in blindness (or even complete removal) in their old age.

Shorty is still having the time of his life, even though he's blind, and that's what we should all strive for as pet parents. Take them for that walk! They'll have more fun than you might think!