North Carolina Deaf Dogs
 Lucky, Ginny, and Emily (from left to right) |
Town: Holly Springs, North Carolina Deaf dog: Emily, a delightful four-year-old Dalmatian, rescued at four months. Emily is a smart girl - she knows her ear-to-ear grin can get her out of all sorts of trouble. She responds to 10 different hand signals. Human companion: Ginny Gilley Other pets: Lucky, a Dalmatian; Duncan, a Lab mix; Tiny, a Great Dane mix - all rescues. Email: Unavailable |
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Town: Mayodan, North Carolina Deaf dog: Marlee, a sweet, smart Pit Bull puppy named after actress Marlee Matlin. Human companions: Aleta O Whitten and her grandmother, grandfather, and dad. Other pets: a male Chihuahua, a female Heinz 57 dog, a cockatiel, a female devon rex, and a pigeon. Email: aleta@nr.infi.net |
 Angel and Lucy |
Town: Davidson, North Carolina Deaf dogs: Angel & Lucy Angel is a Dalmatian mix. Lucy is a Dalmatian. Both are congenitally deaf. Human companion: Maggie Nicolson Email: maglen@angelfire.com |
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Town: Greensboro, North Carolina Deaf dogs: various foster Dalmatians and Dalmatian mixes. Human companion: Terry Cooper, Dalmatian Rescue of the Triad Other pets: three Dalmatians, one Dalmatian mix, and one Greyhound. Email: trcooper@bellsouth.net |
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Town: Raleigh, North Carolina Deaf dog: Charlie, a smart and thoroughly spoiled Dalmatian, will turn 6 in June and has made our leather couch his permanent bed. He is still a "morning dog" as he is up at dawn every day. If someone gets in "his place" he pretends to see something outside and gets everyone up and barking. Then he sneaks back to his couch and lays down to nap. Human companions: Kelley M Bearden and her husband Mark Other pets: Shelby, a 9 year old Dalmatian; Campbell, Shelby's 5-1/2 year-old daughter; Murphy, a 5-1/2 year old Siamese cat. Email: kelley@videofonics.com, |
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Town: Raleigh, North Carolina Deaf dog: Dante is a 7 mo. old Dalmatian. "Dante is an extremely loving and friendly fellow. Smarter than most people I know, he is doing very well with sign. I wouldn't trade him for the world." Human companions: Scott E. Rehl Email: sorehl937@aol.com |
 Toni  Cricket |
Town: Wake Forest, North Carolina Deaf dogs: Toni and Cricket Toni, an approximately 4 year old Chihuahua, is an outgoing and yet gentle girl. Dumped at a pound she had suffered a head trama which left her mostly blind and deaf on one side as well as causing a hernia in her thigh which caused her intestines to pool there. Even though she had been brutalized she is still full of love and adores snack treats. Cricket, an elderly Chihuahua, is an in charge girl. She does not suffer fools. If you annoy her she will do her"Elvis Lip" and that IS your warning. If you continue you will be bit. Hard. She is slowly losing her hearing due to age but is still very active! Human companions: Susie Carter and her husband Other pets: Lots including two other deaf babies. Email: SusieCar@MindSpring.com |
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Town: Lenoir, North Carolina Deaf dog: Zeke is a 2 year old Pit Bull. His mom writes: "Zeke is a wonderful dog adopted through a local animal shelter. He's extremely loving and wants to snuggle all the time. I look forward to teaching him everything I can." Human companions: Vicki L. Hollars and Wesley Other pets: Sid, a Lab mix and Indie, a black cat. Email: Unavailable |
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Town: Charlotte, North Carolina Deaf dog: Confetti, a 12-year-old Dalmatian. Her mom writes: "Confetti was a puppy mill rescue who had broken her leg - it still doesn't bend, so she has lots of nicknames, Tripod, etc. I have never had any problems with her deafness, except calling her if she gets loose, which as she has gotten older has become less often! She is a wonderful dog and I hope one day - although not for a few years I hope - to keep the tradition alive and adopt another (or a couple) deaf dog(s)! I'm glad to know there are others out there who believe deaf dogs should be kept alive!!" Other pets: Patches, a cat. Human companion: Deborah L. Edney Email: Unavailable |
 Scarlet and Suzi |
Town: Asheville, North Carolina Deaf dogs: Scarlet and Gizmo Scarlet is a very energetic and loving Dalmatian pup. Her favorite activity is playing ball. She loves cats, and of course people. "She frequently licks our 17 y/o cat who just seems resigned to it. Scarlet "talks," a lot. She talks to get our attention, when she's annoyed with us, wants us to play ball, or whatever. We took Scarlet from some people who intended to euthanize her because of her deafness. She is no more trouble, and really no different from any other dog. She is a wonderful addition to our family. " Gizmo, an 11 year old male Terrier, who was partially deaf and blind due to age, went to the bridge last mother's day." Other pets: Suzi, 12 year old hearing miniature Spitz. Scarlet has learned many primadonna type behaviors from her; Quattro, 17 year old Blue Russian cat, and Lily, 7 year old tabby princess. Human companions: Khiki Cavannarro; Samantha, Khiki's significant other and Scarlet's other mom. Email: mskhiki@mindspring.com |
 Spanky |
Town: Charlotte, North Carolina Deaf dog: Spanky, a Boxer, "is over a year now and is one of the best things that has happened to us. He and SweetPea are just the best. Both have had obedience training and there is a chance that Spanky will get some agility training next year when the course gets fenced in. Spanky knows signs for sit, stay,come, eat, turn and NO. We are trying to add new signs as we go. Even though Spanky is grown, SweetPea is still the mom. She keeps him in line and in touch with what's going on around him. We would take on more rescue dogs if we had the room." Human companions: Lon and Jane McSwain Other pets: SweetPea, an Australian Cattle Dog. Email: lonarild@yahoo.com |
 Kallie |
Town: Asheboro, North Carolina Deaf dog: Human companions: Karla Graves and her parents Other pets: Tucker, a 2 year old Jack Russell Terrier Email: kgraves@klaussner.com |
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Town: Snow Camp, North Carolina Deaf dog: Rascal is a 20 week old Rat Terrier. "Rascal is very loving and very active. He loves playing with our other dogs and he is spoiled by our children." Human companions: Toby, Beverly, Brian, Brittany, and Blair Overman Other pets: Sandy - Golden Retriever, Angel - Black Lab, Annie - Fiest, and Speck -Beagle. Email: boverman@gakm.com |
 Casper |
Town: Gastonia, North Carolina Deaf dog: Casper is a 3 year old Great Dane. "We rescued Casper when he was about a year old and he knew nothing. Now he listens better than the other dogs. He is a joy and a love." Human companions: Michelle Moore, Jimi Moore and Drake Hopkins Other pets: Maris, Dane; Medusa, Dane; Molly, Irish Wolfhound; Wookie, DSH Cat; and Chaos, Dane. Email: mmoore3@carolina.rr.com |
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Town: Wilmington, North Carolina Deaf dog: Mr. Louis Louis, an 8 year old Dalmatian. "I was persuaded to get Louis because he needed another dog to learn from, and I wanted a companion for a 3 year hound dog. They were fast and famous friends from the get go. The older dog and Louis slept touching, so that when the hearing dog got up, so did Louis. He learned a lot by watching the hound. They were the best of buddies until my hound died. With time, patience and just figuring out what works he is SUCH an incredible dog. I had 3 vets tell me to put him to sleep when he was a wee 8 week old. The vet that he has gone to the entire 8 years (who was one of the 3) now brags about him. They say that he is the best Dalmatian and one of the better behaved and trained pets that they see. I LOVE HIM DEARLY as do all of my friends." Human companions: Tracy Kilpatrick Other pets: 3 Redbone Hounds, Miss Tupelo Honey 3 years old, Miss Sookie Sue and Mr. Fleetwood, the Miracle dog 8 month old offspring of Miss Tupelo. Email: maelettu@aol.com |
 P.D. |
Town: Elon, North Carolina Deaf dog: P.D. is a 4 year old Dalmatian. "P.D. is a lovable boy. He loves to be a lap dog, he loves to eat, and he loves to sleep under the covers with his mommie and daddy. He is the product of a puppy mill. He was born deaf, but has adapted very well. He loves to play with a rubber ball. He bounces them, tosses them in the air, and loves to chase them. He loves his family, well, he's not real high on cats." Human companions: Gwen Marco-Baxter and Bob Other pets: Oakie, a Manx; Squeaky and Dot, Maine Coon; and Nick, alley cat. Email: GWENM293@aol.com |
 Keeper |
Town: Columbus, North Carolina Deaf dog: Keeper, is a 9 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. "We got Keeper as a Rescue. He came to us with many medical problems, and we also discovered he's deaf." Human companions: Winnie and David Clark Other pets: An 8 year old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; a 3 year old male Golden Retriever; and a 12 year old male Peke mix. Email: K9Castle@Charter.net |
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Dazy |
Town: Lincolnton, North Carolina Deaf dog: "Dazy was actually found by my friend's mother. I fell in love and noticed she either didn't care to pay attention to me or she was deaf...well you already know the answer to that. We have had many struggles, I have had to train myself and her! In the end, I am so glad that I found her and hope to take in another deaf dog. She is a stubborn one, but only because she's spoiled!" Human companions: Angela & Lydia Other pets: Maltese named Tobias and a fish named Angel Email: angela-poole@msn.com |
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Buttons |
Town: Willow Springs, North Carolina Deaf dog: Buttons is an Aussie Shepherd. Her human pal writes: "Buttons was a three-month old stray. She's almost all white with a pink nose and I thought she was a little piglet. Took her to the vet right away to get a bath and shots, as we take in strays and find them homes, and found out she was deaf. Ended up keeping her. She's a beautiful dog and we love her and would enjoy hearing from anyone in our area who owns a deaf dog to get more information on how to be a better owner." Human companions: Joan Other pets: Queenie and Annie Email: joancuster@mybluelight.com |
 Bailey |
Town: Asheville, North Carolina Deaf dog: Bailey is a mini Aussie Shepherd. His human pal writes: "Bailey is absolutely WONDERFUL! He never has a bad day, never wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. He is sweet. Loves everybody (with 2 legs or 4!), thinks everyone should be his friend. He was easy to housetrain and quick to learn hand-signals. Some days early on we had a harder time remembering them than he did! We were fortunate to get him from the sister of a dear friend who owns his mother. Bailey was the only one in the litter born deaf(which was suspected almost at birth because of all the white hair he has), and he was almost put to sleep because of it, but a compassionate owner and vet decided to give him a chance at life and see if someone could be found who would want him. My husband and I have been blessed with his presence in our lives. He is such a happy, playful puppy and we hope someday in the not too distant future to get another deaf dog, a playmate for our Bailey." Human companions: Donna and Carroll Other pets: Shorty (18yr old cat) Email: donna@cmorgan.net |
 Isabell |
Town: Wilmington, North Carolina Deaf dog: Isabell's human pal writes: "Izzy is is a very loving dog. She loves to play with our 2 year old Blue Heeler, Molly. Fred our 12year old Cocker is not very amused by her playfulness. She was called Hotpants by the people we got her from as a puppy because a fire in a horse trailer she was sleeping in singed the hair on her behind. But she is just fine now except for not being able to hear. She knows many hand signs and when she doesn't want to pay attention she just turns her head. She is still training us but we are learning to comunicate better every day." Human companions: Paul & Julie Other pets: Molly ( cattle dog 2years old ) Fred ( Cocker 12 years old ) Squeaky (13 year old tom cat ) Ally ( 4year old rescue cat) Email: pauls37ford@cs.com |
 Roosevelt |
Town: Manteo, North Carolina Deaf dog: Roosevelt is a 12 week old great dane pup. His human pal writes: "Roosevelt is a great little guy - my whole family knows signs and we have always trained all our hearing dogs w/ signs since they seem to pick it up ALOT faster. He is learning really fast - learned "sit" in 2 days as well as no and outside." Human companions: Becky, Hubby and 2 kids - ages 4 and 11 who know sign language as well. Other pets: 1 1/2 year old female Great Dane Email: bexter1@yahoo.com |
 Kismet |
Town: Wilmington, North Carolina Deaf dog: Kismet's human pal writes: "I saw her on petfinder and I fell in love. I called New England Old English Sheepdog rescue for help, and that they did. They picked her up in Indiana, took her to Kentucky to live for a week and get spayed. Jim Spurling was her rescue angel, Annie Raker took care of it all. I am on the coast in nc so, she went through a journey to get here but, she is here! Happy and rotten---she does have basic manners but, she turns her head when she doesn't want to 'listen' " Human companions: Marty, Kathy, Sara, Jacob and Josh Other pets: Marley, Zena, Cody, Wilby, Bo, Rasta, Donaghey, Lexi, Mew, Rusty and ponch Email: oeslovr@aol.com |
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Assata |
Town: Boone, North Carolina Deaf dog: Assata was one of nine puppies, and one of two who were born deaf. She was born to a first time breeder who was thinking of having her put down. She even spoke to other breeders, who said to break their necks! She didn't have the heart, so she put out signs and I fell in love! Assata came into my life only a week ago and already we're tight friends. She is the most important thing in my life. I wouldn't give her up for anything in the world. What she lacks in her ears, she triples in every other aspect of her life. Loyal, sweet, gentle, calm, affectionate, protective. She is everything I ever wanted in a dog and more. She's a bit like a young helen keller, grabbing and presuming everything is hers- but she doesn't know she's deaf- She just thinks she's a princess entitled to the world, and she is. Human companions: Rachel and 4,000 Appalachian hikers a year Other pets: Two horses, A goat, two geese, a wolf Email: Vixenzz@hotmail.com |
 Audio |
Town: King, North Carolina Deaf dog: Adio's human pal writes: "Audio is as hyper as our Weimaraner! He has brought a lot of extra love to our home. He is solid white except for on his head. He is very playful. He is never to be taken outside without his leash or else you'll be running in circles for awhile. He is the best sleeper, & is great with kids, but not much of a guard dog." Human companions: Ashley & Family Other pets: Dozer (Weimareiner) Email: turner621@alltel.net |
 Roxie |
Town: Raleigh, North Carolina Deaf dog: Roxie is a very lucky girl! Her human companion writes: "I found Roxie scrounging for food at a gas station off of I-40 in NC. I picked her up w/ the intention of giving her to a rescue. After I got her back to the clinic where I worked, I found out she was deaf. I knew that was a death sentence for her at the shelter, so I kept her. Since then, I have also found out she was blind in one eye from a congenital condition. At the time I found her, she had a fractured hip, 2 fractures in the pelvis, and a broken tail. She also had buckshot in her. Since then, she is fully recovered, and once she figured out she was here to stay, she has bonded well." Human companions: Karla Other pets: 3 dogs, 4 cats, 3 birds, one hamster Comments:"I am currently a 3rd year Veterinary Student. Having a deaf dog has allowed me to learn to live and train a deaf animal. I feel this will help me advise clients in the future who have a deaf dog and relate to them that deafness does not make a non-functional pet." Email: marbalbuff@yahoo.com |
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Town: Asheville, North Carolina Deaf dog: Lily is a one year old Jack Russell Terrier. "I would like people to know that owning a deaf dog is one of the most rewarding and wonderful experiences a person could hope to have. The bond that develops between dog and owner is so special. My husband and I acquired Lily from the pet store where I work. We discovered her deafness at the store and the company received credit from the breeder. We took her home with hardly any qualms at all -her deafness did not matter to us. We knew we could work through it. We loved her from the start. Lily has become the best dog I've ever had. She has disproved every myth and theory on deaf dog behavior I've ever read or heard of. She is incredibly smart, training her was easier than training a hearing dog. She knows about 15 hand signs, including toy, roll over, play dead, and drop. She loves learning new tricks! She is very gentle and has shown no aggressive signs at all. She loves all people, dogs, cats, birds, anything! She never snaps when startled, and she is certainly not crazy or unhealthy in any way. She is not yet involved in any dog activities, although she would definitely excel at agility. Her favorite toy is the fishing pole cat toy-she'll go forever! She will do flips in the air and leap and twist to get at the mouse on the end. She is as quick and sure-footed as any cat! She understands the game, and whenever she catches the mouse she does her little happy dance and immediately lets go! Life without Lily now seems unimaginable. She has brightened our life, and we plan on rescuing more deaf dogs during our lifetime. I strongly recommend adopting a deaf dog to any person with the room in their heart and life, the rewards are well worth the effort!Update:Since our move to NC, we have acquired another cat named Toby. He is a beautiful DSH tabby, and he and Lily are now the best of friends! " Human companions: Megan and Derek Crook Other pets: Two cats, Griffin and Rosie; tropical fish; and a hermit crab. Email: waterfalls9282002@yahoo.com |