We've always noticed how well deaf dogs sleep -- right through the noise of daily activities, doors closing, people walking by, even thunderstorms. It's not as if the ability to sleep so soundly compensates in any way for the disability, but still, there are plenty of times we wish we could sleep that soundly. But the best sleepers of all are the blind and deaf ones, like Spinner. Not only could Alayne take this photo of her without waking her, but the flash was going off, too ... while other dogs were milling around in the dog room. Yet she slept right on through. Until, that is, her nose woke her up to tell her Alayne was nearby.
I'm working on a redesign for our main website, which will include some new content and other changes and updates. One section I'm adding is a page about the many myths regarding disabled animals, and among them is the old and mistaken belief that deaf dogs or blind dogs are somehow prone to "snapping" or "biting" when woken up or otherwise startled. There's a lot more to this terrible myth, and I won't get into the full response here, but suffice to say that in ten years of working with these special animals, not once have Alayne or I ever been snapped at or bitten by a deaf or blind dog ... whether from being woken up or having startled them. And you would think that a blind and deaf dog would sort of "double" this supposed risk, but of course it doesn't ... because the myth is just flat-out wrong.
I can wake up Spinner from the deepest of sleeps by simply touching her anywhere on her body, or by blowing on her nose. The same is true of Spencer and Katie, our blind and deaf brother-sister pair. All of them wake up very quietly and gently, usually by putting their heads up in the air to sniff around to see what's new. ("Hey, is that my morning coffee brewing?")
If a dog does snap or bite as a result of being startled, it's because of his or her personality, not the disability. But, more on this when we roll out the new website, hopefully in the next month.
Meanwhile, here is what was going on below Spinner ... blind and mostly deaf Madison sleeping:
Madison can hear but is "directionally challenged," as we call it ... she can't tell which direction the sound is coming from, so she whirls around in circles trying to get a fix on it.
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Speaking of snoozing animals, a number of people thought they saw a third cat in the previous blog post. Um, not exactly. Here's a close-up from a different angle:
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Very sweet pictures!
I noticed you won 2nd with the Shelter challenge. Does that contest happen yearly? Wish I new about it back then, would have voted for you!
Posted by: Sara | October 20, 2011 at 04:59 PM
I love these pictures. A friend of mine just put her dog down because he was getting blind from old age & he bit her. I was so upset when I heard she had done that. But, the dog was very possessive of her & I think when she brought in a new person to live in her house (her boyfriend) the dog got more possessive & jealous. I wish she could have taken an alternate approach to her decision.
I knew when I saw the pics of the kitties & some were saying there were 3 of them that they were just large cats. My Erin that passed away in July was a large kitty so I am used to see large, loving kitties & how they can take up some space that could look like 2.
Posted by: Colleen & Andre' | February 09, 2011 at 10:42 AM
The proper way to wake a Bleaf dog is to pop the top on a Yogurt! :^)
My Bleaf Aussie Dave will be fast asleep , just dead to the world , two rooms away till I open a Yogurt ... 30 second later ... here He comes with that pink nose leading the way :)
Posted by: Larry | February 03, 2011 at 03:05 AM
My Stanley was blind at around 4 years of age, then deaf at 6. Stan used his sense of smell and touch to find his way around. He amazed everyone, including the doctors. He moved 5 times and it would take only a few days to get him acclimated. When I needed to wake him, all I had to do is walk near him and he would smell me to wake up, wagging his tail. Stan lived almost 14 years...happily. Just like your dogs, he could sniff out the last crumb on the floor better than our Doberman (who could see!). He kissed away my tears, gave me comfort and most of all, unconditional love. All to say, he never snapped at me or anyone.
Posted by: Shannon Harjer | February 02, 2011 at 10:46 PM
The faces of these two precious dogs are so cute.....such contentment! They know they are adored! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Nina | February 01, 2011 at 07:12 PM
I love Spinner she's my favorite RDR dog. Glad to see that she's doine well. All my blind/deaf dogs past and present have that same "sniff (right) sniff (left) sniff (a little higher) sniff sniff" HAHA there you are wake up routine!
Posted by: Mcappy | February 01, 2011 at 10:52 AM
I have a blind deaf guy and he sleeps so well. I can almost hang him upside down to wake him somedays and he doesn't even open his eyes, kind of like a kid trying to get out of going to school. Chance was born blind and deaf and I think that makes a differene as well. I had a little dachsie go blind and deaf with age and she used to startle when woken up.
Posted by: Lori Leduc | February 01, 2011 at 09:59 AM
We just adopted a deaf, sight-impaired 1 year old great dane pup. She is the most confident, happiest, most well adjusted dog we've ever had. She is also a "happy-waker"--never had her wake up snappy, and I love not having to worry about thunder and fireworks.
Spinner's nose also sounds like my Abbie's; the other night, she was asleep when I came home, and I was partially hidden when she woke up. She looked up, smelled my scent and saw my jacket, and went tearing around the house looking for me, even though I was sitting not 10 feet away! She was SOO happy when she finally found me.
Posted by: Danielle | January 31, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Love the picture of Spinner! Pricelss!!
I'm glad you are including a link about blind and deaf animals or as larry put it Bleaf. (love that!!) Levi has never been aggressive or bitten anyone either. However, if another dog is aggressive with him, he will defend himself!! I lightly touch/pet him and he wakes up with more of a look of "what I was sleeping here", although sometimes it is hard to tell if he is sleeping with him having no eyes! Sure fired way is by his snoring though!! :)
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | January 31, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Beautiful pictures of happy sleeping dogs! They both look so content.
Really looking forward to the new website and new information dispelling myths about disabled dogs.
Thank you for sharing all you are learning with us.
Posted by: Chloe | January 31, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Amy's so right! There are advantages to having a deaf dog (mine lost her's about three years ago when she was 11). The vacuum used to scare the heck out of Tammany but now she just watches it go by without even getting up!!
Kisses to Spinner and Madison, two special girls. :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | January 31, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Lovely pictures - thank you! These 2 are so fortunate to be in your care!
Posted by: Angela | January 31, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Those pink ears & nose! And contentment, :) wonderful!
Sounds like a great addition to your website. Looking forward to the dispelling of myths.
Posted by: Margaret | January 31, 2011 at 10:53 AM
While all of the RDR dogs are my favorites, Spinner has always been my #1 favorite... I just love her. Thanks for this great update and photo.
Posted by: Linda | January 31, 2011 at 10:27 AM
The best thing about deafy dogs (I have one) is that you can eat a bag of potato chips and they never bother you because they can't hear the bag krinkling. :)
Posted by: Amy A | January 31, 2011 at 07:31 AM
Spinner ! How's it goin' Girl !
My Bleaf Aussie Dave says Hi !
Posted by: Larry | January 31, 2011 at 07:13 AM
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures. I agree about never having a problem with waking our sweet, perfect big boy. Mr Gabriel T Nubbins usually wakes up by sniffing the air (thank you again for giving him back his ability to smell) and right away his nub starts wagging which tells me our boy is happy. That, in a nut shell, gives me an incredible feeling of joy. We love our boy with a passion. Snappy and mean???? Not a chance.
Posted by: Jennifer McRoberts | January 31, 2011 at 07:08 AM
I hope many people will see the revamped website and get the information and facts about the real personalities of deaf dogs and the myths surrounding them. I hope it opens many eyes.
I absolutely love these two pictures! Spinner and Madison are gorgeous. The look of contentment is just priceless. I always say that I wish I could sleep as well as my two dogs!
Posted by: Ann | January 30, 2011 at 10:38 PM
The "cat controversy" is easy to explain: apparently he is too large, more precisely a very long cat. A "doxie-like" one?!?!?
Posted by: Mauro Salles | January 30, 2011 at 10:17 PM
BEAUTIFUL picture of Spinner. Thank you Steve and Alayne for educating the public on disabled animals--I always remember what Steve says, "Don't pity these animals--all they want is to get on with their life and enjoy it." (something like that)
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 30, 2011 at 08:54 PM
It's a real treat to start this week with a closeup of gorgeous Spinner and that golden beauty, Madison. Thank you!
I'l add my two cents' worth on disabled animals: in my twenty years of owning disabled animals, I've never had a problem with aggression or other unacceptable behavior one reads or hears about as being due to disability. I applaud you for doing your part to put to rest these myths.
Posted by: Moon Rani | January 30, 2011 at 07:22 PM
I love that you are going to include a section on myths about blind and deaf dogs. Neither Baron or Stoney has ever bitten me or any children they have ever been around (remember the blog post about Baron and my niece?). Not even close! They are both GREAT with kids. I can't wait for the new website make over!
Posted by: Wendy M. | January 30, 2011 at 07:02 PM
I wish I had them here, curled up with me, managing that same sound sleep!
What great buddies...
Posted by: Glenda | January 30, 2011 at 06:09 PM