Originally posted by Just Joshin' Ya on 1/10/14 Follow Josh and his family here and on Facebook.
In 2011, Josh's older brother, Tim (my oldest son) and his long-time girlfriend, Steph, wanted to adopt/rescue a third dog from a shelter in Arkansas. Not just any ol' dog, but a deaf dog. The owner of the shelter denied their request stating they were young, already had two dogs and probably wouldn't be the best placement for a dog with special needs. Tim wrote the owner of the shelter the following letter:
Dr. Mike,
I want to start by saying I respectfully understand your reasoning on why you do not want us to adopt Frisbee and trust your professional opinion, but I am VERY determined to change your mind. As you may know my brother has special needs and because of that my family is very drawn towards other people and animals who have special needs. I look at my brother as a teacher. He has taught me SO many good things I can't even count on both hands and feet the ways he has improved my life.
Dr. Mike,
I want to start by saying I respectfully understand your reasoning on why you do not want us to adopt Frisbee and trust your professional opinion, but I am VERY determined to change your mind. As you may know my brother has special needs and because of that my family is very drawn towards other people and animals who have special needs. I look at my brother as a teacher. He has taught me SO many good things I can't even count on both hands and feet the ways he has improved my life.
With that being said I feel it would be no different with Frisbee.... Yes it will be A LOT of work, A. because she will be the third and you and I both know 3 makes a pack, B. because she has special needs and lastly, C. because she is a shelter dog which means she could very possibly have a traumatized past that she could potentially have a hard time getting over. Now, on the contrary, I see some positive things in her that makes her have the potential to be a great dog!
With the proper care and training I feel like together me and Frisbee can demolish some big boundaries set for special needs dogs and dogs of her "bully" breed in general! Starting with the biggest factor, in my eyes anyway, she is still young which is a good starting point for training a stubborn but very smart staffy.
Secondly, I was reading an article on deaf dogs the other day and it stated that a deaf dog has a hard time establishing that "pack" bond
because they have trouble communicating with the other members of the pack. It said in MOST cases a deaf dog will establish a better bond with there human than with the other dogs in the family, mainly because of the hand gestures and treats they will receive for understanding the hand gestures. So I am very optimistic of that being the case in this situation. Third, I am fully prepared for the enormous amount of patience and responsibility that is required to raise and train a special needs dog.
With all that being said, I'll finish up by saying I can personally promise you that you guys will not find a better home for her than with me and Stephanie. Between the determination to prove people wrong about her "bully" breed and to break down those boundaries set for special needs dogs, and our love, respect, and appreciation for animals, I will guarantee this would benefit her as well as Stephanie and I!
I don't by any means want to rush into anything, BUT I do really want you consider us. It doesn't matter to me how long the process will take, the answer no just doesn't sit well with me as I fight for everything I believe in and NEVER give up on anything/anyone.
With the proper care and training I feel like together me and Frisbee can demolish some big boundaries set for special needs dogs and dogs of her "bully" breed in general! Starting with the biggest factor, in my eyes anyway, she is still young which is a good starting point for training a stubborn but very smart staffy.
Secondly, I was reading an article on deaf dogs the other day and it stated that a deaf dog has a hard time establishing that "pack" bond
because they have trouble communicating with the other members of the pack. It said in MOST cases a deaf dog will establish a better bond with there human than with the other dogs in the family, mainly because of the hand gestures and treats they will receive for understanding the hand gestures. So I am very optimistic of that being the case in this situation. Third, I am fully prepared for the enormous amount of patience and responsibility that is required to raise and train a special needs dog.
With all that being said, I'll finish up by saying I can personally promise you that you guys will not find a better home for her than with me and Stephanie. Between the determination to prove people wrong about her "bully" breed and to break down those boundaries set for special needs dogs, and our love, respect, and appreciation for animals, I will guarantee this would benefit her as well as Stephanie and I!
I don't by any means want to rush into anything, BUT I do really want you consider us. It doesn't matter to me how long the process will take, the answer no just doesn't sit well with me as I fight for everything I believe in and NEVER give up on anything/anyone.
I would hate to see her go to a family based on the reason that she is cute and eventually get sent back because she is too much work.... I very much believe in the saying, "if there's a will, there's a way" and I definitely have the will and determination. If you can take this into consideration and trust me as I have trusted you, I can guarantee a loving, caring, FOREVER home to Frisbee.
Thanks a lot Mike, for all your time!
Tim
Thanks a lot Mike, for all your time!
Tim
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