Rosie, a resident at the Central
Nebraska Humane Society, had a difficult time opening up when she
first arrived at the shelter earlier this year. Workers had a hard
time connecting with the shy pit bull mix and couldn't figure out why
she was so unresponsive. And then it hit volunteer, Tracie Pfeifle:
Rosie was deaf. She wasn't coming out of her shell because she had no
way of communicating with her human companions.
Happily, Pfeifle began teaching Rosie
visual signs, and the dog's attitude completely changed.
“It was just amazing to watch her
blossom,” Pfeifle says. “I don't think she knew how to be a dog.”
Even though Rosie was happier and
picking up on her sign language quickly, she still needed to find the
right owner. The story would not be as good if it didn't have a
happily-ever-after ending! Fear not; it does:
Cindy Koch had always wanted a deaf
dog. Koch, who is deaf herself, says she wanted to relate to Rosie
and understand how she feels. Since Koch and her family already know
American Sign Language, learning Rosie's sign language was no
problem. Plus, they plan on teaching Rosie more signs.
“I'm going to teacher her my sign
language, how deaf people communicate,” says Koch. “She's a smart
dog; she can pick up fast.”
It looks like a great match!
(And it also goes to show that there is
a shelter pet for everyone! If you're looking for an animal
companion, think adoption first. They need you as much as you need
them!)
Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
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