The blind husky has been given new life thanks to his wild younger friend – from fighting games to daily runs, these puppies never have time to grieve.
The charming duo, 11-year-old Stirling and 10-year-old Walker from Seattle, Washington, have been inseparable since they were first introduced, with one never straying too far from the other.
When Sterling, a Siberian husky, was diagnosed with glaucoma, which later led to blindness more than three years ago, owners Lillian and Mark McKee were worried that his quality of life would slowly decline.
But the Alaskan Malamute, Walker, would not allow that to happen.
Lillian, a hard-working analyst, is amazed at how much Walker keeps Stirling’s mood high.
Sterling (left) lost his sight three years ago to glaucoma, but rediscovered his lifelong enthusiasm thanks to his best friend Walker (left). Here the couple is depicted during tourism
Family: Dogs depicted with their people Lillian and Mark McKee, who worried that Stirling’s quality of life would slowly decline after he lost his sight
Fortunately, Stirling, pictured here wearing goggles, has a new life, although he was “quite down” after going blind.
She shared charming footage from the couple’s game of fighting in the snow and photos of them embracing the great outdoors.
Although he can no longer see, Stirling has kept his happy merry self, much to the surprise of his owners.
Lillian, 49, said: “After his first procedure, he was quite relaxed, but we took him to the beach with Walker and he immediately cheered up.
“We found that still doing his favorite activities like running, long walks, trips to the beach really helped him to be his old merry self.
Stirling, pictured here before being diagnosed with glaucoma, is now enjoying all his hobbies again – such as mountaineering
Lillian and Mark McKee, who adopted Stirling after raising him, say the puppy has “kept his happy happy self” despite his health problems thanks to his friend Walker.
Walker (left) and Stirling (right) have very different personalities – that’s one of the reasons their human Lillian thinks they understand each other so well.
McKee had no plans to adopt Walker, but when his foster family could no longer care for him, they accepted
“Walker likes to make him play, and some of me think he doesn’t even realize that Stirling is sometimes blind.
“They walk together, run together, sleep close to each other and eat less than two feet apart.
“Sterling is like a Jedi, he will tell Walker to do something and he will do it.
“I think the fact that there is someone to lead is definitely the reason he is still such a happy dog.
Lillian, pictured with Stirling, describes the cheerful, friendly dog as “an amazing breed ambassador.”
After losing his sight, Stirling wears goggles to protect his eyes. He owns several pairs that he carries on rotation
While Sterling has to wear glasses to protect his eyes after glaucoma surgery, Lillian says Walker also has a pair, so he “doesn’t feel abandoned.”
Stunning puppies love to wear matching bandanas, according to Lillian, who says they own about 100 of the accessories.
They have so many different characters and that’s why Lillian thinks they are such a good match.
She said: “Sterling likes to meet people, drive a car and has a few election toys that he sometimes plays with, but he is also a prominent gentleman.
“Walker, however, is definitely the crazy court jester.”
“He will try to steal Stirling’s special treats, playfully attack him and just be a bouncing ball of skin.
Opposites attract: While the couple may look alike, Walker (left) is more of a joker, and Stirling (right) is more of an “excellent gentleman” in terms of character.
While the couple has been inseparable since they met, their friendship blossomed even more after Sterling lost his sight and Walker raised his morale.
Both dogs were adopted by rescue Lillian, created for large northern dog breeds. She had adopted them at a time – and had not planned to adopt any of them
Lillian and Stirling (center), pictured volunteers in the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League (WAMAL), which was established in 1998 to rescue dogs
“But he knows that Stirling will not always tolerate his nonsense.”
Lillian adopted Stirling and Walker separately from the rescue service, which he organized for large northern dog breeds.
She said, “Sterling was our ‘admission failure,’ we just couldn’t let him go.”
“He is an amazing ambassador of the breed and he was a great therapy dog because he just loves people.
“I didn’t plan to adopt Walker either, but when his successor couldn’t take care of him anymore, he immediately became part of the family.
The active duo enjoys a vigorous run with Mark. Stirling (left) often wears one of his pairs of ski goggles to help protect his eyes
Stirling, pictured after his surgery, was treated for his condition with medication several times a day for a year and a half, but eventually Lillian and Mark realized he needed surgery.
Lillian and Mark were “so worried” about Stirling after he was diagnosed with glaucoma, but with Walker’s help he adapted well to life without his eyesight.
“Stirling has always loved to lead Walker, and Walker simply follows his example as a sheepdog.
“When he was diagnosed with glaucoma, it was devastating.
“We tried to fight it for a year and a half, with six procedures four times a day, but we knew it couldn’t prevent it for much longer.
“We decided to continue with a procedure that will save his eyes, even though he is blind.
“At first we were worried that he would get depressed and stop doing the things he loves, but the fact that Walker looks around makes him keep going.
Lillian, pictured with the two dogs, says she and Mark had a harder time coming to terms with Stirling’s glaucoma than he did.
Although he lost his sight due to his illness, Stirling still likes to be “stupid” and play battle with his younger brother Walker.
The inseparable couple, who stuck together during Stirling’s health problems, looked beautiful in complementary bandanas in the photo.
“We had a much harder time with Stirling’s glaucoma than he did, we were very worried.
They even have a selection of modern ski goggles and suitable bandanas for their daily outings.
Lillian added: “To protect his eyes, Stirling has several pairs of ski goggles that we spin.
“In order not to feel abandoned, Walker also has a pair.
“They both look so beautiful in their bandanas and have about 100 of them.”
You can see what the duo is doing on their Instagram page: @sterlingandwalker