Adorable Video Shows Golden Retriever Sweetly Waking up Deaf Australian Shepherd to Let Him Know His Family’s Home

Owning two dogs provides companionship and security for both pets. Typically, one dog assumes the role of the leader and caretaker, especially when the other dog has a disability like this Australian Shepherd named Levi does. Levi, the Australian Shepherd is deaf, so his Golden Retriever sister Maisy makes sure that he always knows what's going on in their home. Earlier this month, the dogs' owners posted a video on TikTok that shows Maisy waking Levi up to let him know their family is home. 

In the video, which has since been viewed more than 16 million times, Levi was sleeping on the couch when the family got home. Needless to say, Maisy knew as soon as they opened the door but Levi did not, as he is deaf. Levi didn't budge, so Maisy went over to gently nudge him to wake up and welcome their owners. This video, which warmed millions of hearts and received over five thousand comments, is the sweetest thing you'll see today!

@leviandmaisy I hope she never stops doing this for him 😭🐶🤍✨ #deafdogsoftiktok #deafdogsrock #dogsoftiktok #dogsbeingdogs #cutedogs #aussie #goldenretriever #australianshepherd #goldenretrieverlife #fypage #dogsvideo #dogstory #dogsbestfriend #homevideos ♬ Bundle of Joy (From "Inside Out") - Benny Martin

@Emmy got more than 6 thousand likes when she pointed out "Having a deaf dog is truly the biggest blessing ever," to which Levi and Maisy's owner replied: "He [Levi] changed our entire world." @Amanda asked, "How did she come to understand her brother is deaf? I'm so intrigued by this, it's the sweetest thing ever," and Maisy's owner replied, "I'm still intrigued by this!! I want to know the same."

Levi and Maisy

Related: Video of Deaf and Blind Australian Shepherd Thinking His Pool is Closed Goes Viral

The most common cause of deafness in Australian Shepherds, according to the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute (ASHGI), is a lack of melanocytes (pigment cells) in the inner ear. That said, deafness can also be acquired, due to chronic ear infections, old age, trauma, or disease. However, according to ASHGI, the most frequent cause of deafness in Australian Shepherds is due to pigment deficit in the ear. The Australian shepherd in the above video is like a double merle, given the excessive white markings on his head. According to the AKC breed standard, white on the head should not predominate.

A double merle Aussie is an Aussie who has two merle parents and has inherited two copies of the merle gene, and is usually mostly white. That said, Aussies that are not double merles or even merle at all may have half or fully white heads or white markings on or around the ears, according to ASHGI. In many breeds of dogs, white on and around the ears is associated with deafness. Usually, most double merle Australian Shepherds with white on or around the ears are deaf in both ears. Occasionally, Aussies who have these markings but are not double merles will be deaf in one or both ears, according to ASHGI.

By all accounts, caring for a deaf dog is not that difficult. In fact, according to many pet owners, deaf dogs make wonderful pets and family members. However, that does not mean we should encourage unethical breeding. For example, breeding a merle dog with another merle dog is deemed unethical.