A blind chihuahua is able to navigate her world after learning verbal cues such as "careful" or "walk straight"."

Grace, 12, started to lose her eyesight two years ago after her owner Shelby Salmela, 30, noticed her right eye had become enlarged and watery.

After a series of tests, vets diagnosed Grace with glaucoma in both of her eyes.

Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve.



The condition in her right eye was so severe that it had to be removed.

As the condition worsened in her left eye, the decision was made two years later to remove it, leaving Grace completely blind.

Incredibly, Grace has adapted really well and she is able to find her away around by relying on verbal cues such "careful", "turn a little", "keep coming" and "walk straight"."

Shelby, a client success strategist from Austin, Texas, USA, said: "I worried she'd lose her personality and that she wouldn't be her jumpy, playful self anymore."

"But she's adjusted incredibly well. "

"She's still the same Grace with a little extra help from me."

Shelby has had Grace since she was in high school so seeing her go through this has been very difficult.

Shelby said: "She's been with me through every major milestone in my life, from being a teenager to getting married."

"Our bond is even tighter now because she relies on me so much more."

After Grace's right eye was removed, Shelby managed the condition in her left eye with daily doses of eye drops.

But by early 2024, Grace's left eye also began to deteriorate.

To alleviate her discomfort, vets partially closed her left eyelid.

But ultimately Grace lost vision in that eye and due to severe pain her left eye also had to be removed.

Shelby said: "The vets said it's like a constant migraine for a dog."

"So I had to make the tough decision to remove her left eye too."

"Seeing her completely blind was heartbreaking."

Grace has since learned to follow Shelby's commands.

When Grace gets close to a wall, Shelby gently warns her with "careful" or "turn a little bit," prompting Grace to adjust her path."

Shelby has also transformed her home to make life easier for her pooch.

She has moved furniture around and created defined areas for food and water.

She also taught Grace to locate her water bowl by tapping on it.

Shelby said: "I remember the first time she walked over and drank water by herself - it was like watching your baby take their first steps."