Meet Natalie Devine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Devine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We started our account to spread awareness about Jubilee’s autoimmune disease. When she got diagnosed, she was the first in-person case our optometrist had seen of uveodermatologic syndrome. It was a very challenging time for us as there wasn’t a lot of support from those who have gone through the same journey as us, and I wanted to provide that to others. Another reason we started our account is to show how blind dogs, and by extension, any special needs animal, can live a fulfilling life. We did not know how quickly it would take off! Overall, people have been very supportive of Jubilee, and several people have asked questions about how to support their blind dog. We believe our account is focused on story-telling and connecting to support the greater special needs animal community.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets us apart is our focus on storytelling. We believe that by sharing our lived experiences with special needs dogs, others will become curious and make room for animals in need as well. Parts of it are easy, I have such a big heart for animals it was easy to share her story. Other parts have not been so easy, given Jubilee has an autoimmune disease she has health issues we have to contend with. This summer, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had to undergo a risky surgery to remove the cancerous kidney. It felt like deja vu. We had already been through so much with her, but she wouldn’t give up, so we agreed not to give up on her either. Just like when she lost her eyes, she overcame cancer and is living a happy life again.

In those challenging moments, I found it helpful to remember that animals live in the moment. Humans often get hung up by emotion, for better or worse. Animals evaluate their situation, keep going, and adapt. Jubilee has taught me that, even though life throws wrenches into our plans, it is important not to give up and approach challenges from a different angle.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One group that supported us was Second Chances for Blind Dogs. They invented a wearable “halo” that Jubilee can wear to help her navigate the world. It is a harness with a ring around it that prevents her from bumping into objects and keeps her safe. It was also lovely to talk to someone who has owned blind dogs before, and they gave us some tricks and tips on how to support Jubilee best.

Instagram: instagram.com/jubileetheblinddog

Facebook: facebook.com/jubileetheblinddog

Image Credits
Melissa Bailey Photo Denver Pet Pics