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| Stevie and Bella are the first winners of my "Make Your Dog A Star" Contest. |
| A LETTER TO ELI |
Hi Eli!
I really enjoyed your site, your stories, and your pictures. I have two special needs Aussies that I'd like to share with you. I think they are stars in my eyes, I hope you do too! First there is Stevie; he is a blind and deaf Aussie. He is 11months old. We adopted Stevie from Colorado and we love him so very much! He is trained with touch training, loves everyone and everything. He knows sit, shake, and no, lay down, and is housebroken. The other girl is Bella. Bella is a 5 month old Deaf Aussie blue merle, who is beautiful, loving and smart. She knows, sit, shake, no, lay down, I love you, and I am happy. They are the love of our lives and we wouldn't trade either for anything. Living with these two is a joy beyond all joys. They are not a lot of extra work as some may think, matter of fact they and our one hearing and seeing dog are hardly any trouble at all. I wish more people would realize how lucky you could be to have one of these special needs guys in your life.
Bye Eli!
Stevie, Bella & Dakota and our mom, Debbie
STEVIE'S STORY
sent to me for my site by Stevie's mom, Debbie Moore
Stevie's story began weeks before I had ever seen his story; I'd like to think his life began the day I held him for the first time. Stevie is a double merle Aussie, which is a result of a merle colored Aussie being bred with another merle colored Aussie. Often, what occurs when this type of breeding is done is that some puppies in the litter are born deaf or blind, or as in Stevie's case both.
The actual breeder took Stevie to a humane society in Colorado, where he was to be put to sleep. A volunteer at the shelter thought she could help Stevie and took him home. Days later when that didn't work out, she gave Stevie to her daughter. Again, days later a rescue group in Colorado was called in and took Stevie in. There too, Stevie went through a couple foster homes and it was determined that this pup would have no quality of life and should be put to sleep. However, there were a few people (names withheld for privacy) who believed otherwise and posted his story out on the Pet SOS site which most of us rescue people get on a daily basis through our emails.
As I sat in front of my computer that night, I read about Stevie and saw his picture as well. It was at that point that my heart fell in love with this pup. After speaking with the rescue people in Colorado, it was determined that they would let Stevie come live with us here in Wisconsin. Stevie flew in on an airplane on October 20, 2000. I was a nervous wreck as well as my husband and our close friend and other co-founder of our organization. There we waited until Stevie's crate was delivered to the Air Cargo Unit. As his crate door flew open, his paws found their way over my shoulders and I received the best kisses I've ever had. I finally got to hold this pup that I had already loved for many weeks. We took Stevie home and began his new life.
Within weeks, Stevie learned "touch training". He learned to sit, shake, lay down, and was potty trained. He played well with all the other dogs, shared everything with everyone. Most of all he shared his love. You would have to know Stevie to know that every day when he wakes up, he is happy, content and has a quality of life that is incredible.
I can't describe in words the way we feel about Stevie or quite the way he feels about us. I do know that it is something special and genuine that we both just know every time our hands touch him, or every time he licks our faces or wags his tail. Most people say they feel sorry for Stevie, and I tell them not to. There isn't any reason to. Yes it would be wonderful if he could see me and hear me, but I think in his own way he can. People also say how lucky Stevie is to have us, I disagree, I think we are lucky to have him.
Our goal here at is to educate people that although these dogs are the product of bad breeding, that they deserve as much of a chance as any other animal does to have a good quality life. They can lead good lives. The deaf can be taught sign language, the blind can be taught to move around the house as though they had vision. For many years now, people have trained dogs to assist the blind and handicapped humans of our world. We believe it is time for humans to return the favor and assist these truly wonderful dogs! There are many myths about deaf and blind dogs, such as aggressiveness, health problems, etc. If you properly work with a deaf dog to recognize being touched while sleeping they will not be startled. Health problems can exist in any animal, not just the deaf and blind. Our experience here in these dogs is not one of them have ever bitten over anything, or awoken startled and confused and been aggressive, not one. If people properly prepare and educate themselves on how to care for these special needs animals, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to live with one! We will not tell you that it is not hard work, it is, but what we can tell you is that it will be one of the most rewarding and meaningful relationships you will ever have.
Thank you,
Stevie's Mom
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