Though a degenerative eye disease began sapping his vision as a teen-ager, Shaw stubbornly lived as a sighted person for decades, hiding his handicap from family and friends. Years of pleading from his doctor, his wife and his children couldn't convince Shaw to face his blindness. He is about to become the proud owner of what is believed to be the world's first guide horse. Cuddles is one of 10 pygmy horses being trained to accompany a blind person through life. Shaw is anxiously counting the hours until March 6, when he will fly south to meet Cuddles.
Cuddles has a distinct personality, they say.
And it doesn't hurt that Cuddles is extremely cute. Shaw already carries a well-worn photo of Cuddles in his wallet, ready to whip out so he can show her off to family and friends. He talks about the mare as though she were a favorite grandchild. And because of Cuddles, he talks about his blindness for the first time in his life. I think the hardest part was when I knocked down little children.