gandalf

Don’t let his cloudy eyes fool you—Gandalf sees the world with his heart, and it’s one of the sweetest hearts you’ll ever meet.

This darling Yorkie is completely blind in his left eye and has very limited vision in his right due to cataracts. While he’ll need a family willing to make a few thoughtful accommodations, caring for Gandalf is surprisingly easy. Once he learns his surroundings, he confidently navigates his world with patience, curiosity, and quiet determination.

When Gandalf arrives somewhere new, he carefully explores until he creates a mental map of his environment. It took him about two weeks to fully settle into his foster home, and now he confidently wanders from room to room, happily following his people wherever he can. In a securely fenced yard, one of his favorite activities is slowly exploring every inch of the space. Once he’s familiar with it, he prances through the grass with the biggest smile, soaking up every adventure. If a fenced yard isn’t available, he’ll simply need to be walked on a leash to keep him safe.

Gandalf is incredibly gentle, affectionate, and well-mannered. He loves nothing more than being close to his people—whether that’s curled up beside you on the couch, snoozing in your lap, hanging out on the back step, or following you around the house. He’s generally a quiet little guy who only vocalizes to happily greet you when you come home or when it’s time to come out of his crate. At night, he sleeps peacefully in his crate without a fuss.

He’s also a curious little explorer. He loves wandering through the house in search of hidden treats, chewing on bones and small stuffed toys, stretching out for sunny naps, and investigating anything new at his own pace. He’s a wonderful eater, is doing great with pooping outside on a schedule, and continues to make progress with house training. He currently wears a belly band indoors while learning that peeing outside is just as rewarding. Because of his vision loss, rewarding him without eye contact takes a little extra patience, but he’s making steady progress.

Simple verbal cues help Gandalf feel safe and confident. His foster family says “touch” before petting him and “up” before picking him up so he always knows what’s coming. Those little routines quickly become second nature and help him trust his people even more.

Gandalf could happily live as an only dog if his family is home most of the time. Because of his blindness, he thrives on companionship and would likely become lonely if left alone for long periods. A calm, dog-friendly small dog would also be a wonderful companion, though it’s not a requirement. While he doesn’t spend much time playing with other dogs, he enjoys their presence and often uses them as a point of reference. He especially loves following his foster’s white dog outside, using her like a gentle guide as they wander the yard together before relaxing side by side in the sunshine.