Bitter Sweet Story
 . Three good things have come from this though:
1) We fully trust our breeder, and know we made the right decision by getting puppy from her. 2) This is her first deaf puppy, and now knows a vet that can do the test to see if a pup is laterally or bi-laterally deaf if she ever has a suspision that another might be deaf. 3) We still get a puppy, his name will be Oliver Twist. He was our second pick of the litter, and she saved him for us when she started seeing signs of the other being deaf. He will be a great fit our family as he is a snuggle worm! And don't worry (as I did, I even cried over it), the deaf puppy will be given away to a home that can provide the support and training that he will need. Actually the vet that did his hearing test even asked about taking him! We will pick up Oliver Twist on Saturday morning, so I will post pictures shortly thereafter. He has an ear patch, and two white lines on his back that look like a cross. We are beyond EXCITED  ! |
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| That's really sad, but it sounds like you've found a great breeder who is doing what is best for her puppies.
Bittersweet for sure. Maybe you can ask about keeping in touch with the deaf puppy for puppy playdates if the owner will be in the area? Look forward to hearing more about Oliver and pictures of course! |
What said news about Oliver but it looks like he is in caring hands and so happy for you and your soon to be new arrival  |
| From our point of view it is sad news that the original Oliver is deaf, but he will need a perfectly normal life with people who are trained and willing to work with him. We have quite a few deaf dog owners here on the forum, and I'm sure they'll pipe up too!!
Congrats on Oliver Twist! Can't wait to see pics and hear all the stories! |
| That is sad, but it sounds like it will have a happy ending with everyone getting a good and loving home. |
| You might pass along a couple of good resources to the breeder so this pup will have a good start at a great life...
http://www.deafdogs.org Living With a Deaf Dog by Susan Cope-Becker And congrats on your new pup! Jaci |
| It is a bitter-sweet story. I'm glad both endings will be happy, but it must have been disquieting to have to focus all over again on a new puppy! |
| What a story. I was so glad to hear the outcome that he will be given a good home.
Looking forward to meeting Oliver in St. Louis. George & Judi |
| I will pass along the resources-thanks!
We are really looking forward to Sheepiepalooza! It is going to be a great weekend. I am really excited for the grooming demo. |
| Indeed a bittersweet story. It sounds like the breeder is very reputable, honest and caring. Will the deaf pup stay with the breeder?
And can you hardly wait to get Oliver????? |
| Congrats on your new puppy. Any breeder willing to do the BAER test is tops in my book!
As you might know, our Oscar was born deaf, and we brought him home when he was 10 weeks old. I know that you've chosen another puppy, but I just want to take this opportunity to point out some of the pros of having a deaf dog. 1. They sleep like the dead. When Oscar's out cold, I can get a few things done without a "sheepie shadow"! (Sometimes I can even go to the bathroom alone. I swear!) 
2. They don't freak out at the vacuum cleaner. 3. They don't hear other random dogs barking, and start up a chorus of their own. 4. Fireworks are a non-issue. Fourth of July, no problem! And thunder? No biggie. 
5. You can take all of the squeakers out of their toys, and they still have just as much fun with them. The only real issue we encountered because of Oscar's deafness.....after dark, our bedroom is lit up like a Christmas tree with night lights everywhere. It's the only way he can see our hand signals! 
Since this is the first time your breeder has encountered this, I would be happy to chat with her, or any prospective future families about having a deaf dog. Just steer her to this site, and PM me. Laurie |
| Our 1st sheepdog was Oliver too - in fact his registered name was Alice Acres Oliver Twist. He was a wonderful boy - a therapy dog with TDI, worked our sheep flock and had 2 herding titles. It's a good name! |
| I am so happy that your story ended so well.
I would say your new puppy to be was 'Meant to be'. 
I am also so happy to here that your breeder did the right thing! But most of all I am thrilled to know she is going to find the best home for the deaf puppy.
Now .... Hurry up we need pictures.......LOL 
Antoinette And for Laurie your post was to funny, I had a deaf Dane years back and you described it perfectly.....LMAO  |
| Thanks guys! In the future a deaf dog is something we would consider, but not for our first. Our breeder found a nice couple from the KSU Vet center to take the pup. He is a cutie, beautiful thick hair.
Quote: Our 1st sheepdog was Oliver too - in fact his registered name was Alice Acres Oliver Twist. He was a wonderful boy - a therapy dog with TDI, worked our sheep flock and had 2 herding titles. It's a good name! Very Happy Very Happy
The name was love at first hear! We have to choose a name to register him...it might take a few days. |
| I completely understand a family's decision to opt for a hearing pup rather than a deaf one. That said, there are (unfortunately) many of us who participate in this forum who currently own or have owned deaf sheepies and are more than willing to offer support and help to anyone who wishes to undertake the challenge of a deaf sheepie pup.
In some breeds where there is a phenomenal percentage of deaf pups (e.g., 20% of Dalmatian litters), the breeders frequently euthanize any deaf pups in the litter. The rationale being that the deaf pups should not be shown or bred and they are hard to place in homes. There is a famous professor of Veterinary Science who does research on deaf dogs and strongly advocates euthanizing deaf pups of any breed. I am so glad that Oliver's breeder chose to place him rather than euthanize him. [quote="Oscar's Mom"] As you might know, our Oscar was born deaf, and we brought him home when he was 10 weeks old. I know that you've chosen another puppy, but I just want to take this opportunity to point out some of the pros of having a deaf dog. Laurie[/quote] I second Laurie's list of positive points. I currently have a rescued bi-lateral deaf sheepie and have fostered and trained several other deaf sheepies. I would add: * no need to search for the pooch, it will be attached to some part of your body most of the time. * many training activities are a cinch since the dog may have an uncanny focus on you and is not distracted by other commotion -- Brie has been trained in agility and the banging of the see-saw which has freaked my other dogs out, has no impact on her. * you can safely say the words "car", "dinner" or "cookie" without a dog frenzy -- however when you use the SIGN for those items you will get a frenzy. The biggest challenge I have ever had in training a deaf dog is getting their attention in order to give them a hand signal. I often use a vibrating (non-shock) collar to get their attention. Currently, Brie has gotten very crafty. When she is doing something she is not supposed to do, she will not look at me, so I don't get the opportunity to sign for her to stop. Best of luck with you new pup! |
| Thank you for the post Fritzi. My husband and I mulled around with the idea of still taking him, even though he was deaf, but this is our first puppy, and decided it was not a good idea. Maybe in the future we will feel prepared enough to train a deaf dog. I am sure it can be very rewarding. The puppy went to a vet here in town, who will be able to give him the training he needs. I hated giving him up, he was so beautiful and lovable, I know he will make a terrific friend for his owner.
We have had Oliver for several weeks now, and know that this is the puppy we were supposed to get. He fits our family like a glove, and we couldn't love him more. Things have a funny way of working themselves out!  |
| plus, you can be bilingual:) |
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