Meet Kaos
Breed: English Springer Spaniel
Barking from: Rotorua
What's up dog?
Kaos is a nearly 3 year old English Springer Spaniel and at the age of 6 months old he had to have one of his eyes removed, a few months later he needed another operation to remove his second eye which would make him blind.. his owner at the time booked him in to be euthanised instead. Luckily the vet refused and suggested he be surrendered to the vets instead which the owner agreed to. Kaos successfully had his second eye removed and was blind at under a year old. Since then he has been in a foster home and then to his second owner who had him for a few months until a family member developed allergies to him causing them to regime him to us.
Kaos has been a part of our family for just over a year which is the longest he has been with any of his previous homes. Kaos lives an incredible full and happy life, he is incredibly confident and has so much trust in us to keep him safe which means he is able to come out hiking off leash with us! Kaos listens closely to us calling out his cues (tree, step up, step down, careful and WATCH-OUT!) Kaos has an incredible knowledge of our local trails he is able to redirect himself back on to the trail from his mapping and by recognising where he is through his senses for example the trail often has gravel or compacted dirt, grass means hes of the trail and when he feels bush brush agains him he moves himself back on the trail.
Kaos constantly has a smile on his face and his joy for life brings so much happiness to so many people! I have created an instagram to share our journey and to advocate for Blind dogs, take away the stigma agains blind dog as many people believe they have no joy or can not be active family members.
Kaos and I are just beginning our journey in dog sports (Rally-O ,scent work and tracking) we entered a non competitive tunnellers run just for fun and in the video which is on my Instagram you can see how much fun he had running through the tunnels with a smile on his face and his happy wagging tail!
I am forever great full to the vet who refused to euthanize Kaos and has allowed him to live his life to the fullest!
2025 NZ People's Choice Award
We believe no dog should be left behind.
Every dog entered into the competition is automatically in the running for the 2025 People’s Choice Award — and the winner will be decided by you, the public.
This year, we’re giving the aroha back to our communities.
Each year, our campaign is supported by a number of incredible charities across Aotearoa that work tirelessly to improve the lives of dogs and people alike. In 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on these organisations and the vital mahi they do.
As part of the voting process, every voter will have the chance to donate to our amazing mental health or dog-focused charities.
It’s your vote, your voice, and your opportunity to make a difference.
