A deaf and partially sighted Great Dane who was nearly put down by her previous owner has been given a new lease of life after being adopted by a cute toddler and her family.
Jennie, who is only 17-months-old, has grown up with the loving dog Echo, and heartwarming videos of the pair together have viewed been viewed thousands of times online.
The youngster and her dog have now formed a close bond, with Jennie’s mother Marion Dwyer describing the pair as ‘sisters’ who look after each other.
Echo, the deaf and visually impaired Great Dane, out for a walk with 17-month-old Jennie
Ms Dwyer, from Niagara Falls in New York, said: ‘Echo certainly does look out for her sister Jennie and always makes sure no one gets too close to her.
‘She loves people and will put herself in front of Jennie to be pet first. If a stranger with a dog approaches she will stand or sit in front of Jennie to shield her, but not showing any aggression- just making sure she’s safe.
‘Jennie loves to walk Echo who has learned that Jennie’s pace is a lot slower than mine, which she enjoys as she can do two of her favourite things: sniff things and people-watch.’
Echo and her best friend Jennie take each other on walks together and communicate using sign language – with the toddler even slipping her beloved dog treats at breakfast.
The loving dog was adopted by Ms Dwyer, who wanted another Great Dane after already making a home for two more of the friendly giants.
Ms Dwyer said: ‘Jennie now knows we use hand signs to communicate with Echo and is starting to mimic them.
Jennie’s mother Marion Dwyer said Echo and Jennie have formed an inseparable which started before the toddler was even born
Jennie’s mother Marion Dwyer saved Echo after her old owner threatened to put her down
Jennie often likes to sneak her best friend breakfast waffles and apple slices when eating
‘She will wave Echo over to her when she wants her to come and she knows how to offer her a treat, she likes to sneak her breakfast waffles and apple slices.
‘Echo really only uses me as her guide since I was the first person for her to bond with as she was taken out of her first owner’s home when they threatened to euthanise her due to her deafness.
‘Our friends and family think it is amazing and always say that they are inseparable.
Videos of Echo and Jennie together have been viewed by thousands of people on the internet
Echo has been described as a loving dog by her owner and even goes to dog training despite being deaf and partially blind
‘Everyone loves Echo for being so outgoing and they say that they make the perfect team as Jennie is very independent and a curious little explorer.
‘Echo just seems to have always taken to Jennie, even before she was born. She always snuggled up to my baby bump and wanted to rest her head on it.
‘Jennie goes to dog training with us when we have time to go and she will be in a baby carrier on my back.’
Echo likes to go on walks with Jennie because she can do her two favourite activities – smell things and people watch
Echo has been in Jennie’s life ever since the youngster was born 17 months ago