Truth be told, finding homes for senior dogs and disabled dogs is one tough job to do. These poor pooches are oftentimes overlooked and it’s sad because just like the normal dogs, they also deserve to have a forever home and family.

This Great Dane dog is Echo, he is deaf and partially blind. She had been neglected by his original owners. In fact, they had planned to have her euthanized but as fate had its turn, it didn’t happen.

Echo was rescued when she was just 12 weeks old and she was in terribly bad shape.

“She was 12 weeks old and was 15 pounds underweight and had a belly full of rocks,” her rescuer Marion Dwyer said. “We took her to the vet and he said this is very common in dogs that don’t get fed, that are neglected and they develop pica and she was literally trying to eat everything.”

The whole Dwyer family was happy to have Encho at their home in Niagara Falls, New York. However, they had some concerns when they gave birth to their first child.

However, Echo turned out to be gentle around people, especially to baby Jennie. Soon the two became the best of friends.

“Echo just seems to have always taken to Jennie, even before she was born. She always snuggled up to my baby bump and wanted to rest her head on it.”

It was the year 2017 when they became famous, baby Jennie was just 17-months old back then.

It’s all because of their adorable photos and videos together. The two really seemed to click perfectly and they were totally inseparable.

Despite her disabilities, Echo could sense any harm that was about to come to her little human sister and was keen to keep her safe.

“Echo certainly does look out for her sister Jennie and always makes sure no one gets too close to her. She loves people and will put herself in front of Jennie to be pet first. If a stranger with a dog approaches she will stand or sit in front of Jennie to shield her, but not showing any aggression – just making sure she’s safe,” the mom said, according to The Daily Mail.

The Dwyer family already had two Great Danes, they didn’t mind even though taking care of Echo required extra work. Everything was worth it because they can see the beautiful bond between the gentle giant and their little Jennie.

“‘Jennie goes to dog training with us when we have time to go and she will be in a baby carrier on my back,” Dywer said.

Jennie even learned to communicate with Echo using sign language (the dog was severely nearsighted but not entirely blind).

“She will wave Echo over to her when she wants her to come and she knows how to offer her a treat, she likes to sneak her breakfast waffles and apple slices.”

Their story first went viral when Dwyer posted a video of the two walking down the street together.

Their cute photos together were all over European lifestyle magazines.

Echo particularly enjoyed walking with her best friend Jennie outside simply because it gave her the chance to be outside, stop and sniff things at a slow toddler pace.

She couldn’t ask for more except to be always beside her human little sister. Unfortunately, something tragic happened that put an end to their beautiful friendship.

On March 22, 2018, after a rapid decline, Echo passed away. Their best guess is that she had a tumor in her belly.

The whole family said goodbye amidst broken hearts.

“I held Echo and listened to her final heartbeat and felt her final breath. It took me an hour to muster up the strength to leave her there, wanting to touch and smell her one last time over and over again,” Dwyer posted days later after an outpouring of support.

Like any dog owners, they were devastated but grateful for the time they got to spend with Echo and the bond she had shared with their daughter.

Echo may no longer be there physically but the memories that she shared with the Dwyer family, especially with little Jennie will surely stay forever.

This gentle giant will never be forgotten.

Watch the video below to see more of the beautiful memories between the gentle giant Echo and her best friend, little Jennie.

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Source: Inside Edition via YouTube, The Daily Mail, 11 Alive, Bored Panda, Echo & Osiris the Deaf Great Danes