Sign…Woof…It!

Abandoned deaf puppy learns sign language

A puppy which was dumped by a breeder when he realised she was deaf, has been found a new home and is now learning sign language.

Yes this story is just as cute as it sounds. Alice, an 8-week-old black and white springer spaniel, was taken to an animal rescue centre after she was abandoned in Ireland.

Staff at the centre which took her in instantly knew the puppy would need specialist training and that most people would not want a pup who could not hear commands.

But luckily a deaf couple, Marie Williams and Mark Morgan happened to be looking for a dog and decided Alice would be the perfect pet for them.

The pair have now started teaching the pup sign language and can use it to instruct her to sit down, sit up, come and roll over.

Williams, from West Mersea, Essex, said: "We were thinking about getting a dog but when we saw Alice was deaf we just couldn’t believe it.

"She was so beautiful and the fact that she was deaf just made us fall in love with her even more – we knew that she would fit right into our family.

"When we went to visit her at the centre I had tears in my eye, because she was so cute and we bonded straight away."

Julie Stone, manager of The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Lewknor, added: "Alice is such a loving and responsive dog and she proves that with a bit of time and effort, a deaf dog can be trained and become a wonderful pet.

"It was amazing to see how Marie, Mark and their children immediately bonded with Alice and how they knew just how to get her attention.

"They are a brilliant match and Alice has found the perfect home where I know she will get the love she deserves."