Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Azule's 1st Gotcha Day!

It was one year ago that we went on a long drive, stayed overnight in a hotel (we prefer camping), met the caring staff of a West Virginia Humane Society and were introduced to a deaf Australian Cattle Dog mix named Azule.

There was a Petfinder listing that I saw about a young Australian Cattle Dog who was deaf. When I contacted the Humane Society I was told how wonderful Azule was and that she had quickly become a staff favorite (I later learned that the staff feels that way about all the animals they help!).  At that time, I was also told that a local couple had expressed an interest in her and would likely be adopting her to join their Australian Shepherd.  

A couple of weeks later I received an e-mail asking if I was still interested, since Azule had been returned through no fault of hers.  Seemed that one half of the couple wasn't as willing to have a deaf dog.  Oh yes, I was still interested and a few phone calls later, we had made plans to head down to West Virginia.

I will likely never forget the enthusiasm Azule showed when we first met.  She came running around the corner and literally flew into me.  Quite the greeting! For a young deaf dog that had been turned in as a stray, she was a very happy and confident pup. She continues to have that enthusiastic outlook on life and is a very happy girl.

Life with a deaf dog has been relatively easy.  I quickly discovered that Azule is very smart and easily caught on to the outside light flashing twice as a signal to come in and when it is daylight, she will notice the other dogs heading for the door and follow.  She also quickly learned hand signals, her favorite being the signal for "up" so she can pretend she is small enough to be a lap dog.  Australian Cattle Dogs are known as "velcro" dogs due to their desire to be close to their person.  Azule certainly has that trait! She loves to be close and to be a part of everything.



It has been a wonderful year and I look forward to many, many more years of fun with my velcro girl Azule!

32 comments:

  1. Aww happy first gotcha day to Azule. She has no idea how lucky she is to be with you and the gang. I can't believe you drove all the way to West Virginia to pick her up. Makes me look bad because Beamer's shelter was a 20 minute streetcar ride away from DK's apartment.

    What's the furthest you've driven for a pup?

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    1. But it's not where the rescue is from, it's the fact that it's a rescue!

      The furthest was 16 hours each way to North Carolina for Breeze and Chance (who was adopted). Both saved on their PTS date (through the wonders of a Visa card number over the phone).

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  2. Happy Gotcha Day, Azule! We're so happy that other family didn't want you...'cause you were waiting for your REAL family.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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    1. Thanks! We're glad they didn't want her too, really, really glad.

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  3. Anonymous4/24/2013

    Happy Gotcha Day, Azule!! We hope you have something special planned for her today... ;)

    Elyse and Riley

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    1. Well, nothing special today since I am working nights (6 out of 7 and 12 hour shifts) so we'll do something special on the weekend. I'm planning to do some baking too!

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  4. Anonymous4/24/2013

    Happy Gotcha Day Azule!! Hope you get a few extra treats today!

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    1. I planned ahead and dehydrated some more of beef heart for the pack and Azule got an extra slice!

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  5. Happy gotcha day Azule!!

    RA

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    1. Thanks and thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Happy gotcha day Azule, you hit the good times!

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    1. Thanks! I think that we're all lucky.

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  7. Awwwww...Happy Happy First Gotcha Day Azule!!! :-D What a beautiful story and impression you made on your parents! Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thanks and yes, she has made quite the impression and eliminated so many concerns about a deaf dog.

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  8. What a great story! Happy Gotcha Day Azule!

    Love the lights on and off a couple of times trick - I actually had to use that with my old girl Shadow when she lost most of her hearing due to age. I was really surprised the first time it worked!

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    1. I too was surprised the first time the light signal worked! Azule is so attentive now that I rarely use the light.

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  9. Happy Gotcha Day Azule. What a wonderful day when you became part of your large family. Hope you enjoy your special day sweetie pie. We know that Aussie Cattle Dogs are very very smart and you certainly have proved that. Take care everybuddy. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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    1. You are so right, they are a very smart bunch! Thanks for your nice comments.

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  10. Happy Gotcha Day, beautiful Azule! So lucky that you found each other! I love her name. So perfect.

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    1. Thanks and yes, we are very lucky to have found her and her to have found us!

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  11. Congrats on the great family, Azule! So glad they made the drive to bring you home. Maggie and Duke are a little jealous of the beef heat treats. :)

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    1. We are glad we made the drive too! Sorry Maggie and Duke, but we can't send you any beef heart treats due to border restrictions. : (

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  12. Sorry we're late in wishing you the best Gotcha Day, EVER, Azule! I know there are many more to come and in a 6 pack lots to celebrate throughout the year! Here's wishing Azule and every dog out there, waiting in shelters and rescues, wonderful Gothcha Days, FURever!

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    1. Thanks Cyndi and Stumpy! We too wish happy furever gotcha days to all those waiting.

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  13. I would imagine that adapting to a human family is much easier for a deaf dog, when there are other dogs in the household. Congratulations, Azule! You sure are gorgeous.

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    1. I agree, I think it is easier with others to follow and watch. Of course, Azule is a smart girl too!

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  14. Happy gotcha day! Azule couldn't have found a happier home. Dog heaven, for sure.

    Susan and Wrigs

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    1. We think it's a happy and wonderful place, glad we're able to share that!

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  15. Yay Azule!!!!! Happy Gotcha Day. You are a very very lucky dog, and so is your pack!

    I wanted to answer your question about my dog bite. I chose not to have any authorities get involved (like the health dept) since I live near the owner and we need to happily coexist. I know that she vaccinates so I'm letting things be. My bigger concern is that she deal with the fact that she has a dog who bites (I am the third victim in the past year). Thanks for your comments/questions!

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    1. Thank you! We agree, we're all lucky to have each other.

      I was wondering about the authorities since here, if it is an animal bite, they are notified by the hospital. At least that was my experience when I was bitten and attended the hospital due to the seriousness of the bite.

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  16. She's beautiful! Congratulations on 1 year together:D

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    1. Thanks! Azule has been a fantastic addition to the pack.

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