A visually impaired beagle named Buddy Mercury has gained international acclaim on social media for forming an incredibly charming musical duo with his human sister. Despite his blindness, this music-loving canine exhibits remarkable piano-playing skills and harmonizes delightfully with his partner, showcasing a joyful spirit that remains undiminished.
Buddy Mercury, an eight-year-old beagle mix who was rescued, resides in Long Island, New York, with his human parents, Laurie and Glen Wolfe, and their 5-year-old daughter, affectionately referred to as Buddy’s “Lil Sis.” The couple adopted Buddy from a North Carolina animal shelter in April 2016 after he was discovered as a stray. They welcomed their daughter into the family the following year.
Laurie, 41, and Glen, 42, shared that Buddy has always been an integral part of their daughter’s life, fostering a heartwarming and endearing bond between the two. “It’s been a really sweet relationship to watch,” Laurie mentioned to The Epoch Times.
Buddy Mercury’s remarkable musical journey began just three months after his adoption, when Glen was taken aback while watching television. The piano unexpectedly started playing on its own, leaving Glen astonished. Quickly recording the enchanting moment on his phone, Glen captured Buddy playing the piano.
Initially, Buddy started “singing” in response to sirens from a nearby fire station. Soon, this became a routine, and Buddy began making musical melodies multiple times a day. Laurie shared, “It became part of his routine, and he’s really very happy when he plays because his tail is always wagging when he’s at the keys.”
Glen, a professional drummer, vividly remembers one of their earliest viral videos, in which their daughter entered the room with a guitar. The sequence of events that followed was nothing short of magical, as Buddy, looking out the window, joined in with his musical talents. “It was a magical moment, just unforgettable,” Glen fondly recalled.
In the summer of 2021, Laurie and Glen noticed a change in Buddy’s eyes. Upon seeking veterinary care, they were informed that Buddy had progressive retinal atrophy, a hereditary condition leading to complete blindness. Despite the heartbreak, the vet emphasized the importance of maintaining Buddy’s routines, including his piano-playing. “Through our tears we were smiling,” Laurie shared.
Although Buddy now faces challenges due to his blindness, Laurie and Glen administer eye drops to ensure his comfort. Despite occasional bumps into objects, Buddy’s independence remains strong. In solidarity with Buddy’s adjustment to life without sight, the couple has chosen not to adopt more animals.
Their heartwarming family band, featuring their daughter’s singing and Buddy’s piano-playing, serves as a compelling message advocating for animal adoption. Buddy frequently participates in community events, fundraisers, and interviews, where he enthusiastically performs in exchange for treats.
While Laurie and Glen maintain their day jobs, they hold onto the possibility that their unique musical collaboration could eventually lead to new opportunities. Laurie expressed, “There’s a lot going on in the world, but I think that there’s no better cure for whatever is hurting someone [than] choosing to rescue an animal.”
Guide Dogs of America Needs Volunteer ‘Puppy Raisers’
Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
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