Name: Chia - 4.5 -ish y/o
How long has Chia been in the family? Since January 2013
Family Members: Sara, Canine Siblings- Elli (blonde - 12 y/o) & Maddy (Black - 9 y/o)
Profession: Health Scientist at Center for Disease Control
Location: East Lake, GA.
Nicknames: Chia-poo, Boo-Boo
5 words/phrases that best describe Chia:
- Quirky
- Expressive
- Heart Grabber
- Perceptive
- Gentle
What makes Chia unique? Chia is congenitally deaf (born deaf). We figured this out a few days after we started fostering her, because she didn’t respond to cues etc. like a normal pupster would. This freaked me out a little bit because although I have 2 other dogs that I have trained, I didn’t have experience with deaf dogs. I had no idea how to communicate with or train a deaf dog. I immediately started doing research online. I joined the “deaf dogs rock” Facebook page which was and still is a great resource and network. Much to my surprise:
- Training a deaf dog is not a lot different from any hearing dog. You just replace words with hand signals.
- Many white dogs are deaf due to a recessive gene they possess. Its more common in certain breeds as well, such as : Pitties, Danes, Dalmations, Australian Shepherds, and Boxers.
There are a few exceptions – you have to be careful not to startle them and also they can never ever be off leash because of the inability to recall them.
Look at those soulful eyes!
Rescue Story: The story is a little sad, but with a happy ending. I became associated with Animal Action Rescue (AAR) because our neighborhood found a stray Min Pin in July 2012. Our community raised funds for him to be taken in by AAR, and my ex-husband and I fostered him. He was a mess. He was a ~9-year-old that had his teeth filed down, hadn’t been neutered, and was advanced heartworm positive. He also had extreme social issues and was an escape artist. So we named him Chase. He was about 2/3 way through his heartworm treatment, ready for the worst part when tragedy struck. We were on our way to South Carolina for Labor Day weekend and when at a rest stop, after taking them all out on a break and getting back in the car…he escaped. He ran out into the highway and was killed immediately. It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed.
By fostering Chase I was put on AARs foster email list. I had received several emails soliciting foster families for several different dogs over the following months but I just wasn’t ready. In December we offered to foster a puppy that didn’t come through because thankfully she was snatched up right away. Then, in January, I received the email about the 3 puppies from Villa Rica that AAR had taken on (they were part of a bigger litter but AAR could only sponsor 3). So I offered to foster one. I had no idea what breed she was, just that they were 7 weeks old. I met Susie from AAR at the vet right after she picked them up from Villa Rica. She handed me the tiniest, sweet nugget and my heart melted. My ex and I knew we were in trouble right away. The minute she was ready for adoption we stepped up to admit the failure. We couldn’t imagine letting her go.
I cant remember when it was that I found out about the owners of Chia’s 2 sisters. I believe it was through Facebook, I saw a communication about them. I asked the rescue if they could connect us. Everyone agreed to be put in contact. We found out we all lived within 5 miles of each other. We planned a reunion on Oct 2013. The girls met each other, and most importantly the owners had fun. On their first birthday, November 2013 we had a birthday party for them that was a fundraiser and the proceeds went to AAR.
We have all stayed in touch, are connected by Facebook, and occasionally get the girls together.
Chia's first night at home!
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Running! Chia has been my running partner, along with one of my other dogs, since she was a puppy. If it wasn’t for my older dog that runs with us as well, she would definitively be pushing me to run 5 min miles and train for a marathon. She is in great shape and keeps me fit and motivated to run. On days I don’t have time to go running with her, I get a disappointed look that breaks my heart every time!!
What is life like since you rescued Chia? I was presented with 2 new experiences by adopting Chia: 1) understanding and loving the pit bull breed and 2) how to care for a dog with special needs. Ironically, no one thinks Chia is mostly pitty-poo because she is slender/not boxy. People literally honk and stop to comment on how pretty she is. They always ask what breed she is and I proudly say she’s a deaf pitty! Though I get shocked looks sometimes, it has never resulted in a negative interaction. I have become and advocate for both pit bulls as well as dogs with special needs. I feel like I landed a double win. She is for sure my heart dog. She weasels her way into the hearts of everyone she meets.
I feel like having her has made me a better dog owner to my other dogs as well, because I pay more attention to their body language and clearly communicating to them.
Photographers Note (Final): After the individual shots were completed, it was time to take on the challenge of getting all the families together for a group photo. It's always fun when you have a large group, multiple dogs and a couple kids as well. Thankfully with a lot of laughter I was able to get a couple good ones of the group, so they will all have something to cherish and a reminder of how they are all connected.
Related to Ms. Chia and her being deaf. That sweet girl was by far the best poser for photos. She responded so well to the appropriate hand signals to get her attention. Thankfully she couldn't hear the foolish photographer who would forget from time to time and call out her name to get her attention or use a squeker. Whoops! Definitely something you would need to get use to having a deaf dog and Sara has mastered the communication with her sweet Chia.
Overall this was such a rewarding experience, meeting these three ladies and hearing about how they were able to bring these 3 sisters back together!
The sisters flyer from their birthday fundraiser celebration!
Lots of Laughter!