When Annette McDonald went to her local animal shelter in 1993, she brought home a hero. Norman, a Labrador Retriever, had already overstayed his welcome by two days and was set to be put down the next morning when she brought him home instead.

She lived with her husband and son near the Necanicum River in Oregon, and Norman would always join them for walks on the beach. Unfortunately, not long after joining their family, McDonald noticed the pup had trouble seeing and frequently bumped into things.