Deaf Texas Dog Learned Hand Signals In A Prison Program Then Waited Two More Years
After enduring serious hardship on the streets and spending years waiting in a Texas boarding facility, a sweet, deaf dog finally found someone who understood his worth.
A Painful Beginning
Brad’s journey to a loving home started in the hardest way possible. He was found wandering as a stray in Houston, completely alone and in incredibly rough shape.
His rescuers noticed a serious injury to his tail, and it was clear he urgently needed medical care.
Despite his severe discomfort, Brad showed no fear or aggression toward the humans trying to help him. Instead, he walked right up to his rescuers, proving immediately that he was a sweet and friendly soul.
A Silent World
Once Brad was safely transported to a shelter, the veterinary staff began to evaluate his health and behavior.
During his time there, they made a significant discovery about how he experienced the world. Brad was completely deaf.
This meant that traditional verbal commands wouldn’t work for him, adding an extra layer of complexity to his eventual adoption.
Learning To Communicate
To give Brad the best chance at a normal life, the rescue organization knew he needed specialized guidance.
They sent him to a prison canine training program located in Cañon City, Colorado.
During his time in the program, Brad worked closely with handlers who taught him a specific set of hand signals so he could finally be communicated with effectively.
Heartbreak and Waiting
Armed with his new skills, Brad was eventually adopted out by a foster family who had initially taken him on.
Sadly, the placement wasn’t meant to be. After just a few months, the family ended up returning him to the rescue.
With nowhere else to go, Brad was placed in a boarding facility. He would end up waiting in the rescue system for at least two long years.
A Fateful Meeting
Lisa, an experienced animal foster, had just seen her previous foster dog get adopted and was looking for another pup to help.
She visited the boarding facility where Brad was staying, and the two crossed paths.
Knowing he had been waiting for a number of years, Lisa decided to step up and bring the sweet boy home with her.
Making Himself Right At Home
The moment Brad walked through Lisa’s front door, he acted as if he had always belonged there.
Lisa joked that his immediate attitude was simply, “Okay, I live here now. Where are the snacks?”
Seeing his gentle nature and instant comfort brought Lisa to tears. She knew she couldn’t bear the thought of him being returned to a kennel ever again, and by November, she officially adopted him.
Quirks and Bathtub Hangouts
Once he was officially part of the family, Brad’s hilarious and quirky personality truly began to shine.
During his first bath, he started chomping at the water with pure joy, making Lisa laugh out loud. Now, he sometimes just wanders into the bathroom to hang out in the dry bathtub by himself.
He also has a wonderfully lazy side. Once, while twitching in his sleep, his back end slid off the couch—and instead of climbing back up, he just decided to stay right there.
The Unexpected Perks
Lisa also discovered that Brad has a very unique sleeping position. She frequently catches him napping with one of his back legs resting directly on his face.
When he isn’t sleeping in strange positions, he loves to spend his time outside in the yard, peacefully sunbathing.
His deafness even proved to be a surprising advantage during the 4th of July. While other dogs panicked, Brad sat and watched the fireworks with Lisa, completely unbothered by the booming noises.
Overcoming The Stigma
Because Brad is deaf, Lisa has to take special precautions, like avoiding off-leash dog parks since she cannot recall him verbally.
She is also highly protective of him due to his breed and size. Brad has what Lisa lovingly calls a “can opener head,” which sometimes makes strangers hesitant when they first meet him.
However, his positive energy is infectious. Lisa notes that within ten minutes of meeting him, people are always smiling and talking about how much they love him.
A Masterclass In Forgiveness
Looking back at his mysterious past, Lisa suspects Brad may have come from a backyard breeder in Houston who dumped him on the streets simply because his docile personality made him useless for fighting.
Despite all the pain he endured and the multiple times humans let him down, Brad never lost his loving spirit.
Lisa finds herself constantly inspired by his incredible ability to forgive. After everything he has been through, Brad is still completely willing to love everyone he meets.
