A dog is man's best friend. This statement has been true for centuries. According to statistics, dogs are the most owned pets around the world. In the United States alone, dogs make up more than 36% of all pets. There are over 43 million households in the U.S. that house dogs as pets.

If you have a dog pet at home, you will agree they can be the best source of joy. Dogs can help you overcome depression, as well as offer you great and welcomed company.

Every now and then, there comes a dog that wows everyone with its spectacular abilities. Opal is one of them. She is a spectacular one-of-a-kind dog. At first, she might pass for an ordinary Merle, but when you dig deeper, you will notice her extraordinary powers.

Opal is deaf and blind. This is as a result of Merle to Merle breeding. In many countries, Merle to Merle breeding is prohibited as it leads to deafness and blindness, amongst other abnormalities. Opal was unfortunate enough to be both blind and deaf. However, depending on how you look at it, her disabilities can be interpreted as a blessing rather than a curse.

Opal lives in Spokane with her two owners, Christine Bray and her husband. Her extraordinary powers are knowing when her father is coming home.

According to Mrs. Bray, Opal stands in the front yard. When other cars are passing, she is immobile and disinterested. Even when the neighbor's car passes near the home, she acts as she is, blind and deaf. However, when Bray's husband's car approaches, Opal starts jumping with joy. In some way, she can smell or sense when her father is approaching.

At first, this might seem impractical. However, Bray went ahead to post a video reacting to her father's car arrival from a distance. The internet is going crazy with excitement after seeing the video.

Opal was adopted by the couple earlier in the year. Her going price from the rescue center she was adopted from was $100. It's hard to believe that such a small price could be the source of such joy to a lovely couple and many internet enthusiasts around the world.

Sadly, despite the love that her family and the internet have shown opal, her owners are afraid for her future. Opal's mother, Bray, says Opal might be susceptible to other issues.

The most serious of the concerns is the neurological issues she faces. According to Bray, Opal is scheduled to see a veterinary specialist in November. The appointment will go a long way in determining Opal's health and future. Hopefully, the appointment will help increase Opal's lifespan.

According to Ian Briggs, RSPCA's chief inspector, he says animal crime has skyrocketed in the last five years. This is an observation he has made over his 24 years working with RSPCA. According to Briggs, the demand for dogs, rare and common, are more on the rise. Unfortunately, dogs like Opal have been on the receiving end of this demand.