51 Million Views for the Viral Moment a Trained Vet Gently Wakes His Blind-and-Deaf Rescue Pup

Watch the tear-jerking clip of a devoted dog dad softly waking his blind and deaf dog without terrifying her

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This is the exact dose of pure-hearted content the world needs right now.

Dogs remain some of the Internet's greatest gifts, lighting up practically everyone's feed and melting hearts on command. The newest four-legged influencer charming us all is Plum, a deaf and blind Mini Aussie who shares her Instagram and TikTok with her Dane/Staffy mix sister, Lola, and their ever-present dad, Aiden Mann.

But it's Mann and Plum's latest TikTok that has obliterated hearts everywhere, racking up over 51 million views and a jaw-dropping 12 million likes.

It's the Internet at its absolute best. The clip opens with text reading, "People ask me how I wake up my deaf and blind pup without scaring her…" In the video, Aiden lowers himself to the floor and gives Plum the tiniest breath on her face. She stirs, looking mildly startled—until she locks onto her dad and then launches herself into him, tail whipping, radiating pure joy the instant she realizes it was him rousing her.

In an interview with Insider, Mann—who works as a veterinary technician—explained that he knew Plum had disabilities when he adopted her but said, "I definitely didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I did know that I loved her and wanted to give her a good life." Mann described how the two spent time and "trial and error" figuring out how to communicate. The viral video isn't only heartwarming (exactly what the world needs now) but also shines a bright light on just how incredible life with disabled dogs can be.

There are legions of amazing disabled dogs waiting for their forever homes and families. Not everyone or every household is set up to welcome one, but for those who can, the rewards are enormous. Deaf and/or blind dogs may need a little extra help now and then, but most can accomplish everything any other dog can!

Deaf Dogs. Dogs born deaf—or who lose hearing later in life—make wonderful companions and can master everything from basic obedience to advanced skills and tricks. Read our article on how to train a deaf dog.

Blind Dogs. Some dogs are born blind or with limited vision, while others lose sight as they age from degenerative conditions. Blind dogs typically adapt brilliantly to navigating without sight, even memorizing the layout of the furniture and their favorite spots. They sometimes need a little accident prevention, like a baby gate to avoid an unintended tumble downstairs. Read our article on how to help a blind dog adapt.

Blind and Deaf Dogs: Dogs who are both blind and deaf—or who develop these disabilities with age—can and do lead happy, enriching lives. A dog's sense of smell is already their strongest tool for understanding the world. Dogs are astonishingly adaptive and learn to navigate it well. That said, dogs who are deaf or blind—and especially both—do tend to startle easily. That's why a gentle approach to waking them, like the one Mann and Plum have crafted, matters so much.

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Sassafras Lowrey is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and author of "Tricks In The City," "Healing/Heeling," "Bedtime Stories For Rescue Dogs," and the activity book "Chew This Journal," out Summer 2020. Follow Sassafras and her canine adventures on Twitter/Instagram and at SassafrasLowrey.com

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