Echo had a sad beginning, judging by the shape she was in when Marion Dwyer came along. She was blind, deaf, 15 pounds underweight and visibly neglected. According to Chen Guangcheng, who is a civil rights activist in China and a self-taught lawyer, "How a society treats its disabled is the true measure of a civilization." Guangcheng is also blind.
At twelve weeks of age, Echo was fated to be euthanized by her owner who didn't want to deal with the dog's disabilities. Dwyer, however, saw something in the hapless dog that drew her to happily take her to her home in the Niagra Falls area in New York.
There were two more Great Danes in the Dwyer home when 12-week-old Echo joined the family. Then, an amazing thing happened.
Dwyer became pregnant, and somehow Echo seemed to know there was a young life in her belly. She seemed attached, not to the mother, but to the baby inside.
When little Jennie was born, Echo was already bonded to the infant. Now, as the toddler wobbles around, she has a very large companion always by her side.
Jennie's too young yet to give Echo verbal commands, and even if she could, Echol wouldn't be able to hear them. Their special bond entails touch, emotional connection, and mutual trust.
Wherever Jennie walks, Echo willingly follows along behind. And when they're not walking, they're playing, snuggling, or eating together.
The pair need each other, and it's obvious they love each other. Actor Steve Guttenberg puts it this way: "If you're an underdog, mentally disabled, physically disabled, if you don't fit in, if you're not as pretty as the others, you can still be a hero."
Echo and Jennie are such a sweet, adorable couple that dog lovers around the world are sharing their story. It seems that the short video of their walk together is all it took to become an international sensation and the sweethearts of the doggy set. Watch the video, share it and then you'll see just what we mean. Then leave your thoughts in the comments!