Minnesota Toddler Learned To “Talk” To Her Deaf Dog Before She Could Even Speak Out Loud
When a puppy is born deaf, navigating the world can feel overwhelming. But for Faith, silence wasn’t a barrier, it was a unique way to connect with her new Minnesota family.
A Vulnerable Beginning
When a puppy is born without the ability to hear, navigating the world can feel like an overwhelming challenge. For one special dog, silence wasn’t a barrier, but rather a unique way to connect with the people around her.
Her name is Faith, and her journey from a vulnerable newborn to a beloved family member is nothing short of inspiring. Faith’s story began under difficult circumstances.
Her mother was a pregnant stray who had to fend for herself before finally giving birth to a litter of puppies. Caretakers quickly noticed something different about little Faith.
It was noted right away that the tiny puppy was completely deaf. Interestingly, her mother was also deaf, passing down a trait that would shape the course of Faith’s entire life.
The Perfect Mentor
While some might have seen her deafness as a setback, it only made her future family love her more. When Nikki and her family first brought Faith home, they had a secret weapon to help the puppy adjust.
They were already the proud parents of another deaf dog named PeeWee. PeeWee was a seasoned pro at navigating a silent world.
He already knew a lot of signs and was perfectly equipped to show the new puppy the ropes. For Faith, having a furry mentor made all the difference in her transition to a new home.
Learning By Example
Faith proved to be an incredibly observant student. Nikki would use sign language to communicate with PeeWee, and the young puppy would watch intently.
Before long, Faith began to mirror exactly what her older sibling was doing. If PeeWee would give a gentle “boop” to say yes, Faith quickly started doing the exact same thing.
It was a beautiful passing of the torch between two dogs who shared the same silent experience. PeeWee gave Faith the confidence she needed to thrive.
The Magic Of Flickering Lights
Because Faith couldn’t hear her name being called, Nikki had to get creative with how she got the dog’s attention. The family soon discovered that light was the perfect substitute for sound.
If Faith is outside in the dark, Nikki simply flashes the outdoor lights to let her know it’s time to come in. Inside the house, a quick flicker of the room lights sends Faith running to find her mom.
When a light switch isn’t nearby, Nikki just uses the flashlight on her phone to catch the dog’s eye. “We flicker the lights a lot around this place,” Nikki explained.
A Fast And Eager Learner
It turns out that Faith is incredibly smart and eager to communicate. It usually takes her a week or less to pick up on a brand-new sign.
Nikki admits she isn’t fluent in sign language, having originally taught herself by reading baby books when she first got PeeWee. Sometimes she gets the signs wrong, but she loves sharing their journey online.
The internet gently corrects her mistakes, making it a great learning platform for the whole family. Through trial and error, they have built a rich, visual vocabulary with their brilliant dog.
Gentle Boundaries
As she grew, Faith developed into a high-energy dog, likely due to her suspected Australian Shepherd and Cattle Dog mix heritage. But despite her boundless enthusiasm, she is incredibly gentle with Nikki’s three little girls.
Faith knows her boundaries perfectly. While she might jump on Nikki with excitement, she is always very relaxed and calm around the children.
She seems to understand exactly how to adjust her energy for the smallest members of the household. Her sweet nature makes her the perfect family companion.
Recognizing Her Favorite People
Faith’s vocabulary has expanded to include the specific people she loves most. Nikki has learned the correct signs for “daughter” and “dad,” and Faith knows exactly what they mean.
When Nikki signs that the girls are home from school or that dad has arrived, Faith immediately runs to go find them.
She knows that tracking down her family members usually leads to a fun play session, a trip outside, or a tasty meal. Her joyful reactions to these signs light up the entire house.
A Beautiful Bond
Faith has become so comfortable in her home that when she feels a bit overstimulated, she simply burrows her head in her paws for some quiet time. But her most touching interactions are with the youngest members of the family.
Nikki’s toddler was actually signing to the dog before she could even speak out loud. Just recently, the two-year-old saw Faith waiting patiently and decided to take action.
The little girl looked at the dog, signed the word “eat,” and excitedly ran to grab her a treat. It was a perfect, heartwarming moment that proved love truly doesn’t need words.
