Blaze, our purebred Dalmatian, has been a part of our family since he was just eight weeks old. We brought him home from a breeder in Texas, and from the moment we met him, he lived up to his name. With a fiery personality and boundless energy, Blaze was always zipping around like a little fireball, ready to explore, play, and make his presence known. The name “Blaze” felt like the perfect match for his bold spirit and spark. Now, at 10 years old, Blaze may be completely deaf, but his zest for life hasn’t faded a bit. He’s even learned a bit of sign language, proving that nothing can slow him down.

Blaze’s antics keep us entertained daily. One of our favorite stories is the day he discovered the black-and-white checkered garage floor and became convinced it was a new pack of dogs. For ten solid minutes, he barked furiously at his “opponents” before deciding to mark his territory in victory. When I tried to clean up the mess, he managed to slip and slide across the floor, ending with a smug look that made it clear he thought he’d won the day. Blaze now lives a life of luxury, surrounded by more toys than most pet stores, enjoying gourmet meals, and claiming his special spot on the sofa. Rain or shine, his mornings begin with a three-mile walk—a routine he insists on keeping. Ten years in, Blaze is still the same spirited, lovable fireball we fell in love with.