Eight Georgia Puppies Found Families Before A Florida Man Heard Why One Was Still Waiting
Eric wanted a sibling for his deaf-blind dog, Yakoo. He drove nine hours to Georgia rescue a deaf puppy named Nuka, and her intuitive bond with her new brother in Florida changed their lives forever.
A Unique Rescue Program
Eric’s life was already filled with a unique kind of love thanks to his dog, Yakoo. Yakoo is both deaf and blind, requiring a special level of care, patience, and understanding from his dedicated dad.
Wanting to enrich Yakoo’s life even further, Eric decided it was time to expand their family. He began searching for the perfect brother or sister to keep his special-needs dog company.
His search led him across state lines to a unique rescue situation. He had no idea that the puppy he was about to find would not only become Yakoo’s best friend, but also his guiding light.
Eric discovered an amazing animal organization based in Georgia. They operated a special jail program where inmates were given the responsibility of training puppies.
It was an innovative way to give dogs a head start on socialization while providing inmates with a meaningful purpose. Among the puppies in this program was a little dog who desperately needed a home.
The puppy had spent a week in the jail program, learning the ropes and waiting for a family to notice her.
The Last One Left
The puppy’s backstory was heartbreaking. Her mother had tragically been hit by a car, leaving behind a litter of nine orphaned puppies.
One by one, the puppies found their forever homes as eager adopters scooped them up. Eventually, eight of the siblings were adopted, leaving just one behind.
The remaining puppy was passed over simply because she was deaf. But where others saw a challenge, Eric saw the perfect addition to his family.
A Nine-Hour Drive
Eric submitted an application for the deaf puppy and was thrilled to get a phone call back the very next day. He didn’t hesitate for a moment.
Living in Florida at the time, Eric packed up and embarked on a nine-hour drive to Georgia to meet the dog who would change their lives.
When they finally met, the puppy was understandably nervous. However, her sweet nature quickly shined through as she covered Eric’s face in kisses.
A Guiding Sister
Eric named the puppy Nuka, which fittingly means “little sister.” She quickly became the light of their family and fit perfectly into Eric’s heart.
Nuka naturally took on a protective role over Yakoo. She seemed to intuitively understand that her big brother couldn’t see or hear the world around him.
When Yakoo navigates the stairs, Nuka stays right by his side. She gently taps his forehead to let him know he is about to reach the very last step, keeping him safe from a stumble.
The Ultimate Helper
Because Yakoo is deaf and blind, calling him back from a distance is impossible. But Nuka has stepped up to bridge that communication gap for Eric.
If both dogs are wandering far away, Eric can simply catch Nuka’s eye and use a hand signal that means “leash.”
Nuka immediately springs into action, grabbing Yakoo’s leash in her mouth and gently leading her brother back to their dad.
Preparing For The Future
Since Nuka is deaf, Eric began teaching her sign language from the moment she was adopted. He uses visual cues for fun commands like “bubbles” and “go find.”
Because Nuka is a double merle, there is a possibility she could lose her sight in the future. While Eric hopes that day never comes, he is already preparing her just in case.
He is teaching her the basics of tapping and touching, ensuring she will always have a way to navigate the world safely.
Two-Way Communication
Eric uses a specialized method called PAWtactile to communicate with his dogs. It’s a two-way communication system that blends sign language, tactile cues, and Montessori techniques.
Since Eric isn’t fluent in traditional sign language, he created his own unique signs for Nuka. One of her most important signs simply means, “go get your brother.”
Despite their special needs, the dogs live incredibly full and playful lives. Nuka loves to sneak up on a sleeping Yakoo to slowly steal his toys, and she’ll even try to swipe a carrot right out of his mouth.
A New Way To See The World
The bond between Yakoo and Nuka is just like a true brother and sister. They look out for each other, tease each other, and share an unbreakable love.
For Eric, raising these two incredible dogs has fundamentally changed him as a human being. They have taught him how to see and hear the world in a completely different way.
He believes that dogs care far more about body language than spoken words. By taking the time to truly understand their needs, Eric has built a beautiful, silent language of love that speaks volumes.
