Deaf Dog that ‘Nobody Wanted’ Finds True Happiness With Loving Family
Every dog sitting in a shelter or rescue center longs to find someone who will wholeheartedly love them for who they are. This longing cuts across disabled dogs, too, as they oftentimes face rejection purely based on their disability. (Watch video below)
Such is the story of Milkshake Marie, a deaf dog who has been — for the past one year now — living her best life with the most amazing family she could ever ask for. While Milkshake’s present life is filled with love and happiness, life before adoption was anything but fair to her.
Found dumped on the streets, likely because of her deafness, Milkshake spent the better part of her life at a rescue, not knowing what it truly means to be a wanted pet. For three long years, she watched other dogs go home with their new families as visitors passed her by because of her disability. Despite all her incredible qualities and stunning looks (her blue eyes and white & tan coat are to die for), it seemed people doubted Milkshake’s ability to be a wonderful companion due to her deafness.
Thankfully, one family chose to see beyond her disability, bringing her prolonged stay at the rescue to a halt.
Overcoming Trauma With a Loving Family
@make.life.happen please rescue! #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #love #animals #dog #share #pet #adoptdontshop #viral #happy ♬ I Saw Love – Forest Blakk
After facing rejection almost her entire life, Milkshake finally found a caring family that made her feel loved and wanted. Sadly, the series of rejections had already damaged her emotionally. Due to the deep-seated trauma, Milkshake would often withdraw from her family, not wanting to face them or interact with them.
Luckily for her, she had found a family that was not only willing to give her all the love she needed but also willing to extend patience to her. They gave Milkshake the time she needed to overcome her trauma while still showing her gentle care. It’s a good thing that Milkshake’s family was willing to give her all the time she needed to come around since shelter dogs typically adjust to their new environments in line with the 3-3-3 rule.
In simple terms, this widely accepted rule suggests that adopted dogs — especially those battling emotional trauma — need at least three days of space to decompress, three weeks to get used to new routines, new faces, and new surroundings, and three months to feel fully settled in their new home. (Learn more about the 3-3-3 rule here.)
Milkshake’s newfound peace and confidence also made it easier for her family to teach her signals that they’d use to communicate with her. Generally, dogs with hearing loss are keenly observant of non-verbal cues and gestures. This is why training a deaf dog requires one to employ clear, consistent hand signals and positive reinforcement for them to eventually understand you.
No Sad Days, Only Happy Days
Milkshake has fully integrated into her new family, and her happiness is infectious. Her loved ones now can’t imagine life without her because they’ve discovered how special she is, her deafness notwithstanding.
Milkshake also has a deaf brother with whom they make awesome memories on a daily basis. Thanks to a family that chose her when others doubted her, Milkshake will never know the pain of rejection ever again. Her much-deserved happy ending is a clear reminder of the importance of giving disabled dogs a chance because they, too, can make incredible pets, just like other abled dogs.
