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I went to adopt a cat and decided to look at dogs just because and saw Gage. He strolled up to the gate and said, "Hi, I think you're here for me, right?"
I said, "Sure, my son is looking for an Aussie to work bulls."
Gage loved the cat I had already made arrangements to adopt. The cat said, "Get that beast away from me!"
So, I asked them to keep the cat until Cody could come get Gage. Cody comes to get Gage and Gage sits with his back to Cody, totally ignoring him and gazing adoringly at me. Cody whistles at him. Gage ignores him. Cody snaps his fingers. Gage ignores him.
"Mom, I think that dog is deaf."
"Oh, I don't think so."
"Yep, he's deaf as a box of rocks." Cody yells.
Gage stares adoringly at me.
"I can't take him. The bulls will run over him."
So, I acquired Gage and another family got the cat.
His name is Gage the Wonder Dog because I always wonder what is going on in his mind. I think he does too. He's very smart, just odd. He's learning sign language.
--Julie Weathers (of course!)
17 comments:
What a beautiful dog! And what a treat to get a Julie Weathers story on an otherwise dreary Sunday. (We are bracing for our third measurable snowfall since Halloween.)
Gage is smart. Herding bulls would be a tough job! ;-D
My deaf Aussie was the sweetest, most loving and loyal dog I've had. We had a good 15 years together and never regretted taking on a "special needs" dog. They are smart, he'll pick up sign language in no time :-)
What a wonderful story. Gage is exactly where he's supposed to be. I had a deaf white cat once. My brother discovered she was deaf when she was sleeping and didn't hear the lawn mower coming. (Don't worry, he discovered her in time.) I wonder if a white coat is connected to deafness in dogs, too.
Beautiful boy!!
Beth Carpenter yes, it's something to do with a gene that doesn't develop. It causes their white coloring and deafness because the cells they need to hear, don't develop. Not all white dogs are deaf. But almost all deaf dogs are white. You can often tell by a lack of pigment in their eyes.
So glad to see a picture of Gage.
Aw, hello Gage! So glad you have found your person to love.
Nightmusic, that's fascinating! That's going to show up in a book one of these days. In fact...
He’s a beaut!
Very nice Julie. I've never had a deaf dog, I baby sit a blind poodle, though. I have had dogs that were so stubborn they might as well be deaf, because they put you on ignore so much.
What a cutie! Thanks for introducing us to Gage. I'm glad he found the right home!
I love having a picture now, to go with the name and all the stories! He certainly looks attentive (to you anyway).
We called our black lab Quincy the Wonder Dog. In our case, it was due to a constant source of wonder that he survived as long as he did, given all the random crap he ingested over the years.
Gage, you are a wonder and a beauty! I'm glad you found your happy home, even if there's no running with the bulls.
Our white dog is selectively deaf. Sign language is no help there.
Who's a good boy?
Ah, hello, Gage.
I was on a hunt for doors yesterday. Then sorting files.
When you breed two merle Aussies together, you take a chance of having a defective merle gene Aussie, which Gage is. They have too much white and can be either blind or deaf. He was so attentive in the shelter, I didn't think he was deaf, but he is.
Anyway, thanks for the kind thoughts. I said I'd never have another dog after I put my last Aussie down, but here I am.
Nightmusic
Aussies are naturally blue eyed, so the blue eyes have nothing to do with blindness or the merle gene. Will is looking at a black tri Mini now that has blue eyes. Many of our Aussies were blue eyed.
JulieWeathers I didn't say anything about a lack of pigment in Gage's eyes. I made a general comment that often, that's how you can tell a dog is deaf. I've never seen an Aussie that didn't have at least one blue eye.
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