The Blind Playing With The Blind-and-Deaf

I had a call several weeks ago from an elderly lady in California who had heard we had blind-and-deaf dogs.  She wanted to let me know, in no uncertain terms, that she thought it was cruel and inhumane to keep them alive.  That's how the call began.  Now, this wasn't an animal-phobic person ... she had an old dog she treasured, and she donated lots of money to spay and neuter programs ... and she could even understand how a blind dog could "get around" okay.  But a blind AND deaf dog?  She couldn't fathom how that animal wouldn't be a fearful, cringing wreck.

As you can imagine, my first impulse was to hang up on the cranky old lady.  But when I asked her if she'd seen our Web site, she said she didn't use a computer and had no access to the Internet.  Then I realized she was living in a vacuum and simply didn't know what she was talking about.  So I told her about Spinner and the sheer joy Spinner takes in life ... how she bounces out of the cottage every morning, nose straight up, spinning around, taking in the smells of the day.  Baron, the little blind-and-deaf guy from Oregon, had just arrived, so I told her about him, too.  By the end of the 45-minute conversation, she apologized for her initial brusque behavior on the phone and the views she expressed.  She said, "I just didn't see how it would be possible for them to be anything but scared about the world, and I was mad at you for forcing them to live like that.  I'm sorry."

I followed up by sending her our newsletter and a note, which brings me to the video below.  I shot this the other day in my office.  Blind Widget and blind-and-deaf Baron suddenly started roughhousing together on the dog bed behind my chair, so I grabbed the video camera sitting on my desk, whirled around, and started taping.  It's 2 minutes, and the last half of that is Widget shifting tactics to a more vocal approach before she concludes with a victory serenade.

You can be sure I'll be making a DVD of this video to send to our new friend in California.

Comments

[Denise Stegall]

I found your article as I was searching for articles about deaf and blind dogs.
I adopted my cocker spaniel,Polo from the Humane Society and he was such a sweet grateful little fellow. One day I noticed he could not see and rushed him to the vet. I was told he had SARDS. We both dealt with it pretty well. But one day a little over a year ago, he lost his hearing and is now completely deaf. He is my little buddy and I have done everything I can to keep him happy but he howls all of the time. I walk him, sit with him and spend as much time with him as my work schedule will allow but he howls all of the time. I am a teacher and had hoped that being home for the summer would make a difference but he continues to howl. While it breaks my heart to do so, I am realizing that maybe it is time to put him to sleep.

I would very much like to know if I am doing the right thing. It is breaking my heart to see him so unhappy and I will be returning to work in a week.

Thank you for taking the time to read my note.

Sincerely,

Denise Stegall

[Morgan Skilling]

What a wonderful blog post and a fabulous video (Widget is so funny my head exploded watching that!).

What is cruel is leaving a deaf and or blind or both dog tied up in a back yard with no human interaction (a la Willie). Willie had a second chance, but so many do not. As awareness of the importance of spaying, neutering, bringing your pets indoors, etc. spreads, I hope too that the message of enjoying life to the fullest regardless of physical limitations is spread as well.

I'm telling you - Widget needs a book!

[Dianne]

I had a poodle who was blind, deaf and had epilepsy, and lived to be 18 years old. I don't think she had an unhappy life. She had a devoted companion in Sally, a loving terrier who cuddled and looked after her (letting me know when she was having a seizure) and, late in her life, she was adopted by two kittens who walked beside her and groomed her. The disability is in our head, not for the dogs. Thank you for being a continuing inspiration.

[Shirley & James, Portland, OR]

My cats were in a dead sleep when I started playing the video and I've never seen two cats awake to an alert state so fast!!!!

Steve, because you took the time out of your busy, busy day to change perceptions you have a new fan in California. By educating even one person you have made more difference than you can imagine. I’m always sharing with people how happy and joyous the animals are at RDR. YOU AND ALAYNE ROCK!

Barron is adorable—somebody is going to adopt him—I’m sure of it!!!

[Kristen D.]

So, so cute! Widget really is saying "Rooo" isn't she? Hey Steve, I saw two little black paws at the top of the screen, who kept coming to the door to investigate? :)

[Priscilla Smith]

Watching this made my day. It brought big smiles to my face. Widget and Baron look happy and contented. Adorable best friends!

[Debbie Burke]

Little Baron may be blind and deaf, but his tail works just fine! There's no doubt he's having the time of his life. What a cutie! And that silly Widget will have to learn that beagle baying doesn't get the attention of a deaf pal.

[Nina]

So glad to hear the lady from California saw "the light" before your telephone conversation ended. She will even be more convinced when she sees the DVD and observes that Baron certainly is not a "fearful cringing wreck"! These two dogs are having a blast....great video!

[CJ (Katy) Crittenden]

Dunno about sending a DVD per se. Maybe a VCR tape? I'm glad you had time to talk with her!

[angie]

Okay this was great, I had the volume up and was holding one of my yorkies while I watched the video. He (Noah)starts barking and when Widget began to howl Noah begans to howl. Brother Joshua came running to see what was going on, so we picked him to join in the fun. I have now laughed at Noah howling back at your two.
Noah has a severe neurological condition called Syringomyelia. He too requires very special care, but at times like these to see him throw that head back and howl...life is really good.
Thanks Steve

[Nicole]

Excellent! Doggy fun!

[Heidi & the kitties]

I don't think Widget has figured out that Baron does not have the means to appreciate her singing voice! Boy they sure are cute.

Wouldn't it be fun to see Baron and Spinner playing together? That would certainly break a few stereotypes!

[Margaret]

Such joy! Thanks for sharing. Despite other challenges, their tails work great, :).
ps: Don't tell Widget that Baron is deaf... I love her "Beagle rooooooo"

[Laura Whale]

Oh Widget you are too funny!!! I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes! Baron looks like he was having fun also, not scared of world now is he...You just enjoy life to the fullest and show EVERYONE you can be just as happy as a sighted animal! YOU GO BARON!!

[Olivia]

Hi!
I just found this site and am thrilled. Love the blog!
I have 6 special needs dogs and 2 rescued (very brave) rabbits. 2 dogs are deaf, one is blind, one is epileptic, 2 abused. So I have a special affinity for groups/people that do the kind of work you do.

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

Widget & Baron's video is a perfect example of "pure unadulterated canine joy". They don't even seem to know they're disabled (and they certainly don't seem to care:-))!

They're sooo adorable, I loved watching their video and I'm sure the elderly lady in California will love it too.

[Jane]

Sure made me smile. I hope our friend in Cali gets as much of a kick out of this video.

Seems "cruel and inhumane" to let those cuties have so much fun :) :) :) !

[maggie]

Widget is such a character!!! She sure knows how to make the most out of life, doesn't she?! So many funny Widget stories... :)
And Baron is looking great! Looks like he's holding his own there in the video...he's adorable.