Dogs are incredibly resourceful and resilient. They are able to adapt when facing physical challenges by using their other senses and get creative in navigating their environment. Whether it’s a hearing loss or limb limitation, canines figure out how to continue thriving and enjoy life to the fullest.
Mason is a blind Golden Retriever who relies on his nose to know when a meal is being prepped in the kitchen.
In the TikTok from @masontheblindgolden, the canine cutie sat in the kitchen and was as quiet as a mouse except for the adorable sound of his breathing. It almost sounded like a snore, but you could see by the look on his face that he was deep in thought, like he was trying to figure something out.
“POV: Trying to cook while Mason is in the kitchen,” the onscreen text explained.
Mason heard kitchen utensils and food items being moved around and knew some sort of yummy dish was in the making. As the video went on, the gorgeous Golden’s ears perked up with each sound he heard. Then he obviously caught wind of some appetizing smells because he put his nose in the air and made several ‘snuffling’ sounds to assess what culinary masterpiece was being created.
“He’s made this noise since he was a puppy but it really shines when he’s hopeful for a crumb of whatever we’re cooking (every time he hears movement in the kitchen),” the caption shared.
How Blind Dogs Navigate Their Environment
Some dogs are blind from birth, while others gradually lose their sight due to illness or aging. These canines rely on their other senses to successfully interact with their surroundings:
Related: Blind Senior Rescue Dog ‘Gives Lots of Kisses’ When He’s Excited and It’s the Sweetest
-
Smell: A dog’s strong sense of smell enables them to identify places, objects and people, and navigate their way in unfamiliar environments.
-
Hearing: Tuning in to sounds helps a blind dog locate obstacles, determine their location, and understand what is happening around them.
-
Touch and Vibrations: A dog uses their paws to feel the textures of the ground and assess the surface they’re walking on, whether it’s carpet, stairs, gravel, etc. Their whiskers can help detect nearby objects.
Mason is obviously a “super sniffer”, especially when it comes to food.
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.