Dog Boops His Deaf And Blind Friend’s Nose As Their Special Greeting

Tamale is a special rescue pup with a heart as big as his personality.

As a double merle Australian Shepherd, Tamale was born deaf and blind, but that doesn’t stop him from living life to the fullest. Despite his challenges, he knows how to capture everyone’s attention with his loving nature.

Finding His Forever Home

When Tamale was just four months old, he caught the eye of Kayleigh Ostot, who saw past his disabilities and felt an instant connection.

Source: @tamalethedm

Something told her that Tamale belonged with her and that she could give him the home he truly deserved.

Even though Tamale faced a tough start in life, constantly bumping into things, he adapted quickly. He soon proved he was more than his impairments by learning how to navigate the world and make friends along the way.

“A lot of times when people meet him, they say they would never know!” Kayleigh told The Dodo.

A New Friendship During The Pandemic

In 2020, when everyone was seeking comfort during the pandemic, Tamale found his perfect companion: a dog named Jimmy.

Source: @tamalethedm

“Jimmy and Tamale met at the dog park over a year ago,” Kayleigh recalls. She and Jimmy’s mom, Melinda, started planning playdates for the dogs, and their friendship blossomed. They began taking regular walks together, and now Tamale and Jimmy see each other at least once a week.

@tamalethedm #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen two besties 👯‍♂️ #dogsofttiktok #bestfriend #fyp ♬ YAAA TRICK YAAA – cynai

Jimmy recognized something different about Tamale but never let that get in the way of their friendship.

To help Tamale know he was there, Jimmy came up with a special greeting: the nose boop. Every time they met, Jimmy would rush to gently touch Tamale’s nose with his, letting him know his best friend was near.

@tamalethedm #answer to @spidermark790 ♬ original sound – Tamale

The Nose Boopers Became Popular

Their friendship is an inspiration, showing how animals can look past differences and just see the love they have for each other. Jimmy doesn’t care that Tamale can’t see or hear; he only sees his best friend.

The nose boop has become a beloved ritual, even adopted by Tamale’s mom, Kayleigh, who uses it to wake him without startling him.

@tamalethedm #doublemerle #dogsofttiktok ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Tamale’s life, filled with love and support from his family and friends like Jimmy, is anything but sad. He’s surrounded by people and animals who care deeply for him, including his baby sister, Kiwi. They all lead a happy, normal life together, showing that Tamale’s disabilities don’t define him.

For anyone interested in following their adventures, Tamale and his family share their journey on TikTok and Instagram, where they’ve gained a loving following base.