Deaf Pup Euthanized on June 8, 2007!!

Someone is now crossposting this with rescue groups in California to see if anyone can pull this deaf pup out of the kill shelter. But, if one of you can volunteer to foster, please let us know at deafanimalrow@gmail.com asap so we can inform this to someone to encourage a rescue group to come forward and help this deaf pup before June 8th or this pup will die. Thanks!



At the Sacramento SPCA:
probably a Fox Terrier
only 7 months old
deaf
neutered
micro-chipped
neg heartworm
all vaccinations
will be euth'd Friday, 6/8 @ 6pm
can only be rescued by a 501c3 rescue group
call Liz @ 916-383-7387 ext. 9108 leave msg.

UPDATE: Check www.sspca.org. The deaf puppy isn't on the Sacramento SPCA adoption list online, but it's still scheduled for euthansia this Friday! Also, on the adoption list, you will find a deaf Australian Shepherd, Peter Pan, in need of a home and please consider adopting this dog as well.

Time Is Running Out For Loki In Tennessee

FURTHER UPDATE: ADOPTED! Prince, formerly Loki, has found a permanent home by the same individual who has fostered him.

UPDATE: RESCUED!



This is a 3 year old deaf JRT mix, named Loki, in a kill shelter. He is a nice, quiet, calm dog. He was let loose to run in the neighborhood, being mischevious and the owner decided to give him up. He needs to be rescued from the kill shelter. Anyone nearby or neighboring state who can pull him and foster him until a home is found, please volunteer your time.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Loki will be transported from Tennessee to Maryland under the care of a foster home by a deaf individual.

Contact Lidia at DeafJRT@aol.com or Misty at MMS1222@aol.com about Loki. Originally, he was planning to go into a rescue but this rescuer has personal issues that she needs to get everything together. So, Loki needs a rescue or foster or even better be adopted.

Missouri School for the Deaf Adopts Deaf Puppy Mascot!

By MARCUS WILKINS
The Fulton Sun


Cowgirl (left) and Lucky (right) patiently await treats as Jennifer Dignan, a teacher at MSD, trains the two, well-behaved friends. Lucky is deaf and Cowgirl is hearing, but both dogs respond to hand signals like sit, bathroom and no. They are learning to shake hands with the American Sign Language sign for friend. (Contributed photo)

Most educational institutions try to stick to one mascot at a time when deciding on a representative character.

For visitors at the Missouri School for the Deaf, it's hard to deny the beauty of the majestic eagle adorning uniforms and emblems.

But that's just because they haven't met Lucky.

Lucky is a 4-month-old boxer who has recently become very comfortable at MSD. Like many of the other young ones on campus, he learns signs, plays with companions, eats and sleeps.

Lucky is also deaf.

Originally owned by a family in Jefferson City, the pure-bred pup has a snow white coat and a mellow disposition. According to MSD superintendent Barbara Garrison, the original owners chose to donate him to MSD.

Now Lucky has found a home with MSD middle school instructor, Jennifer Dignan, and her other beloved puppy, a German shepherd named Cowgirl. Dignan has taught the boxer several signs, and Cowgirl, who is hearing, has been a helpful companion.

“She obviously knows Lucky is deaf because she physically touches, pushes or bites him when she knows I want his attention,” said Dignan. “He is very mischievous ... he is such a sweetie.”

Cowgirl and Lucky have bonded and are now an inseparable duo.

“Training is the same as it is with a hearing dog ... you just feed them treats when they do it right,” said Dignan.

Dignan is comfortable with the behaviors of the animals having grown up around another pair of dogs - one deaf, one hearing. She is also deaf herself.

“The deaf dog I had when I was little did not know how to bark until he met my parents' other dog,” she said. “He noticed my other dog barking, felt the vibration on the wooden floor and started barking, only he didn't sound normal. It was really funny.”

Dignan must grab Lucky to make sure he is focused and make sure he sees her hands - and smells the treat.

“Eye contact is very important when training a deaf dog,” she said. “Some people are afraid to train a deaf dog because they don't know American Sign Language, but you can make up any sign you want.”

She also explained that, although a deaf animal isn't distracted by surrounding sounds, they can't hear their master when they're lost. This can be troublesome.

“He's been outside when it has been dark and I've been worried, but usually not for long,” said Dignan.

Lucky and Cowgirl are now regular guests in the classroom where they playfully wrestle and nap. The middle school students sign to the dogs and give them plenty of affection.

Soon, the dogs will be too big to spend as much time at school as they do now. They are already, occasionally, too distracting.

“Our students love him,” said Garrison. “Sometimes they call him ‘D.D.' for deaf dog.”

“They'll even argue over who gets to clean it up when they have an accident,” said Dignan with a laugh.

http://www.fultonsun.com/articles/2007/05/30/news/215news13furry.txt

Deaf Dog Budha in Top 10 Cutest Puppies Contest!

PUPPY LOVE REVIEW | Chicago's most adorable young canines go tail-to-tail in We's contest to determine who's the cutest of the cute

June 1, 2007
BY DOUG ELFMAN Television Critic

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww. Puppieeeeeeeeeeeeeeees. If you think your puppy is the most adorable little scamp in town, you've missed your chance to enter it in We's "America's Cutest Puppies" contest. The winner is ... I won't spoil the surprise.

But in Saturday night's Chicago-based episode, three local judges pet and play with scores of local pooches --and get peed on, naturally -- before crowning the city's cutest dog between 4 and 8 months old. The champ goes on to take a bow-wow-wow in dog-eat-dog national finals.



Gary Leibovitz and Spirit, a Golden Retriever (left) appear on the Chicago episode of "America's Cutest Puppies" as well as Budha, a deaf Lab mix.

Every pup is cute, and that's all the show needs to trot along as canine eye candy.

Doggies face three female judges, no males. Dozens and dozens of dogs vie for affection. It's like "The Bachelorette" with actual animals instead of metaphorical beasts.

You can tell a lot about the judges by how they describe their favorite doggy traits. DJ Erin Carman of the Loop (WLUP-FM, 97.9) has a crush on one English bulldog; when she expresses an interest in his self-assurance, it sounds like a dogmatic confession from "Sex and the City."

"I think the attraction to Sweet Bea is the fact that here's this confident dog," Carman says. "We're looking at it like, 'Whoa, this dog has no idea how crazy it looks.' It doesn't care. And that's cute. That's absolutely adorable."

Carman also takes a shine to a pug because it "gave me a few kisses, so, big bonus."

When the pooches don't please them, the judges sound pretty Chicago-y. They're hard-bitten, hard-to-please critics. Charisa Antigua, a fashion designer, grumbles, "I don't like dumb dogs." She's looking for a cutie who's sweet, loving, kind and gentle yet playful.

"He wasn't playing with his toys," Antigua says of a pup. "So I don't know. He just didn't do it for me."

Ruff comments! The judges' barks are bigger than their bites, though. They all succumb to "awww"ing and take it in stride when a puppy tinkles on them.

It appears these are everyday pets, not super-trained show dogs. Even owners whose dogs lose shake it off. No one gets in a catfight. "America's Cutest Puppies" isn't that kind of best-in-show. In fact, the winning human cries like a big baby at the end.

If the show is any indication, Chicago has a lot of puggles, bulldogs and golden retrievers, plus Boston terriers, Chinese charpiers and chowchows.

Owners named their tail-wagging loved ones Hefner, Dolly, M&M (not Eminem), Budha, Bruzer, Briskett Blues, Bocephus and Miss Gina Marie. One dog wears a tuxedo shirt complemented by a Napoleon hat. Another, a one-piece, yellow chicken suit.

Puppies that make it into the top 10 are hot pooches like Budha, a deaf staff/Lab mix who wins over Carman the way dogs catch all the ladies' eyes: He's attractive and has character.

"He tells a story just by looking at him," Carman says. "And that sounds really stupid, but it's true. You just look at that dog and you get emotional!"

Awwwwwww. Now heel, Carman, heel.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/elfman/409607,CST-FTR-elf01.article

Marcel Marceau: A Love Story

I was made aware of Marcel by Catherine Brown while working on a massive dog rescue. This deaf pup was due to be put down within the week unless something was done. His owner was truly in love with him but was pregnant and had other children and could not keep one more dog as he would need special attention.

At the time I was training Rocky, my other dog, and her trainer was deaf, Eleanor. I told her about Marcel and she said she would take him. The morning I called the owner was the day he was to be put to sleep. She cried. So through a chain of events and fate, I picked him up and took him to Eleanor. Then she told me that her landlord refused another pet for her.

Now I am thinking I am stuck with this dog, but Eleanor said she would help. And help she did. Marcel's training was remarkable and he was and still is a sponge when it comes to learning. His first command was 'sit' and I think we were both as surpised at each other that he learned it. Then it snow balled. It just took patience and work EVERYDAY and he just couldn't get enough. I didn't bury him in commands. We went very slowly and he loved every minute of it.

As a hearing person, I thought this would be a huge challenge, but with the help of my nonhearing friend, Eleanor Carton (I SO wish she could see him now but we lost touch). I purchased an ASL book and had to make some of the 2 handed signs, one handed as I assumed I would always have a leash in my hand when I was with him. Oh he learned quickly.

Since the teachers in his obedience class called him a "garbage dog" (because the AKC won't accept challenged dogs), I had to show them just what this little guy could do. And we did. At my first JRTCA trial, I entered him in obedience and trailing and locating. I asked the obedience judge if Marcel could participate since he was deaf and he asked me if he could do it. I said yes. The judge said, "Then get in there!"
At the trailing and locating, all he managed to find was the food vendor, but he had fun.

He won many 1st place ribbons in obedience and people would gather to watch the deaf dog. I was so proud of him. I entered him in agility. He also won 1st place ribbons in that but we can do it on lead and let's just say, he was not that graceful. I am still working on his off lead agility.

He was used with child handlers since he does do conformation and all the other fun JRT things. He started winning for his handler, Angela. Then one day, Marcel was asked to be used for a youth handler class. The poor girl didn't know he was deaf and we did a crash course of training to work him in ONE day. THEY WON! The two became inseperable to the point he was spending time at her house on LI for a long span of time. WITHOUT me!

Ashley and Marcel worked together as a team for some 3 or 4 years. They won countles championships and ribbons together. I must say that everyone LOVES Marcel. Even my foster dogs too. He is the first dog they are introduced to. He has crawled into whelping boxes to sleep with newborn pups. He has gone to schools to teach kids about dog safety and nursing homes and hospitals as a therapy dog. He has been in 3 plays: Annie and twice in The Wizard of Oz.

I could go one forever about this wonderful dog who has brought so much into my life and introduced to so many new friends and activities. I can not imagine my life with out him. He is the JRTCA Deaf Dog poster child. He is 13 years old. I will adopt another deaf dog soon. Marcel's life has brought so much to so many. Just think of what the other deaf dogs can do if given the chance. Please give them a chance to make this happen.

Alison

Save This 1 Year Old Deaf Cat Please!!!

I have 1 years old deaf white cat who needs home by tomorrow. I'm from Cinncinnati, Ohio. I tried to find him a home but no luck. I'm moving out tomorrow because apartment do not permit pet. He's friendly and loveable. He gets along with cats and dogs. I do not want to have to put him in a shelter.



P.S. The person who has the deaf cat contacted us at deafanimalrow@gmail.com for help. Since it's a very short notice, if there is anyone who can provide a temp foster for him nearby Cinncinnati until we find someone to take him for a longer period of foster or adoption. If any of you know someone who lives in Ohio, do spread the word. Please email us at deafanimalrow@gmail.com to let us know so we can help this person avoid taking the cat to the shelter. We are confident we'll find him a home but we need time.

Deaf Mother Dolphin Gets Speech Training for Her CODA Baby!

Monday, April 30, 2007
"Chat line" to aid calf of deaf dolphin
From The Miami Herald
KEY LARGO - Any day now, Castaway the dolphin will deliver a calf in an idyllic lagoon birthing pen at the Marine Mammal Conservancy.

For dolphin caretakers, this is uncharted waters: Castaway is deaf. he brainstormed solution? The world's first dolphins' ``chat line.''

The calf will be able to hear and communicate with a pod of 10 other Atlantic bottlenose dolphins located three and a half miles away at Dolphins Plus, a research and interactive education facility.

Highly sophisticated underwater speakers and microphones have been installed at each site. The sounds are captured and processed using special software that allows high-speed data transmission through a telephone line.

Like humans, experts believe, dolphins need to be taught language. Castaway does not make many sounds, and when she does it is monotone -- much like a deaf person's voice, Lingenfelser said.

http://tallahassee.com/legacy/special/blogs/2007/04/chat-line-to-aid-calf-of-deaf-dolphin.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,264884,00.html