Deaf, abused pup needs a home

When Bob and April called us from a small nearby town, they were desperate. A few houses down from where they lived a person was continually beating a dog. They didn’t know what to do.

We couldn’t take the dog because it was out of our shelter’s jurisdiction, but we told them we would help them with finding a new home if the owner of the dog would release her to them and they could foster her.

Bob and April called us back the next day and said they had the dog. The people who had her were more than happy to “get rid” of their problem. “She won’t listen to anything we say,” they said. It turns out, the little 5-month-old girl is deaf and couldn’t hear a word they were saying.

We sent Kira immediately to the vet where she was spayed and vaccinated. One of her pupils was blown and dilated. Her head was swollen. She had been repeatedly kicked and hit in the head for not listening to the words she couldn’t hear. She received eye surgery two weeks later.

It is difficult to live with a deaf dog, let alone one who has been abused and neglected. Bob and April are doing the best they can but work schedules hamper the time necessary to really give Kira what she needs. Young Amy, 10 years old, has a bond with Kira that is strong. Kira trusts her and knows she won’t be hurt when Amy is at her side.

We are working with Amy on sign language and helping Kira adjust to a normal life safe from harm. But Kira needs more than a 10-year-old with a kind heart—she needs a home that she can call her own.

Second Chance Pet Rescue has adopted several deaf dogs from the shelter. Could Kira be looking for your home?

We’re not sure of Kira’s breed. She LOVES water so she probably has Retriever in her background, maybe some Dalmation with her spots. We also believe Kira has some Pit Bull in her. But don’t let that deter you from thinking about bringing Kira into your home. Pit Bulls were genetically bred to be human friendly, even when in intense pain. A temperament sound pit bull will never turn on a human. Kira has had ample opportunity to show aggression to the people who have mistreated her and she seeks only to be loved and nurtured.

If there is a place for Kira in your heart and home, Second Chance Pet Rescue will provide free obedience training as well as one-on-one contact with a local resident experienced in deaf dogs. Kira is currently living in a multi-dog household with very good success. She also lives with a cat. Kira is crate trained.

Please contact Debbie at Second Chance Pet Rescue if you would like to adopt Kira, or if you can provide a foster home where she will get more intensive training than a 10-year-old “good kid” can provide. Debbie can be reached at 824-1985.