My dog Rory, who turned 15 in December, is almost completely deaf…has been for almost a year.
His hearing loss is obviously age-related.
Dogs can also lose their hearing due to ear infections or injury, but many dogs are born deaf. The most common cause of congenital deafness is pigment related. If there is un-pigmented skin in the inner ear — often found in white-haired or white-skinned dog breeds — the nerve endings atrophy and die off in the first few weeks of the puppy’s life, resulting in deafness.
And people are often hesitant to adopt deaf dogs and puppies .
Deaf Dogs Rock is a non-profit organization formed two years ago to promote the care and well-being of deaf dogs.
I happened upon them through the great Google machine and wanted to spread the word.
I’ve learned how to accommodate Rory’s deafness through trial and error, through hand signals and changes in my own behavior to aide his understanding. Deaf Dogs Rock offers so much more education and information on how you could provide a loving home to a dog with hearing loss.
It will be your gain!
Turdogken
For 20 years, photographer Peter Thorpe has put his dog in costume for his annual holiday card — first Paddy and then Raggle have been dressed up and propped to celebrate the season.
No Photoshop allowed.
Poor puppy.
Seeing this display, I’m even more resolute to never dress up my dog for Halloween or Christmas.
And definitely not Thanksgiving.
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Posted in Animals, Christmas, Dogs, Humor, Life, Photography
Tagged animals, Christmas, Christmas card, commentary, costume, Dogs, Halloween, Holiday, holiday card, Humor, life, Peter Thorpe, photographer, photography, Photoshop, props, puppy, Thanksgiving, turdogken, turducken