A remarkable dog friendship built on trust and treats

Twister is deaf. Kansas is blind. One sees the world. One hears it. Together, they share it — one guiding and one listening, both helping each other every step of the way.

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the two dogs are almost always side by side. Kansas trails behind Twister in the dog park, trusting him to lead the way. And Twister, who can’t hear when people call, relies on Kansas to alert him when it’s time for treats. “They’ve always got their eyes on each other — or their ears,” says caregiver Sharon Harney.

The duo arrived at the Sanctuary from a nearby animal services agency. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life.

Both dogs have merle-patterned coats, and their deafness and blindness suggest they may be “double merles” — dogs who inherit two copies of the merle gene.

[Blind dog looks out for the ones he loves]

When two merle-patterned dogs are bred, the odds of producing double merle puppies increase dramatically. Though these dogs often have light, eye-catching coats, they’re also more likely to be born with vision or hearing impairments due to genetic complications. It’s a breeding outcome that can lead to dogs like Twister and Kansas needing extra care and support.

Around the Sanctuary, Twister and Kansas have become known for their snuggly personalities and goofy antics. Kansas zooms after Twister during playtime, ready to jump into whatever game is happening. He also hears all — especially when it involves snacks or squeaky toys (or secrets not meant for him). Twister, meanwhile, has more fun with a ball than a dog with a debit card at the treat store.

“They’re both incredibly affectionate,” says Sharon. “They love walks, they love cuddles, and they love people.” Volunteers often take them out for walks on the trails or sit with them under the trees, where they soak up the sunshine and attention in equal measure.

[Deaf dog’s inspiring journey home]

Whether they’re exploring the dog park or dozing side by side in the shade, Twister and Kansas move through the world like peanut butter and chocolate — perfect complements to each other. One sees the way. The other hears the call.

For now, the Sanctuary is their home-between-homes — a place to nap in the sun and chase each other through the dog park. But Kansas and Twister are both ready for their next chapter: homes of their own — ideally with plenty of squeaky toys, people to cuddle with, and maybe even their own debit cards for those all-important treat store visits.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.