Update 1-2-2014: I almost forgot to give you all an update. Ali’toa aka Toy went to a wonderful home with a family who will work with him at home on his training. Toy’s new daddy Keith Barksdale has had a hip replacement (and may need another one soon) so Toy and his new owner will work together to become a team to support each other in while Keith is working on his recover and physical therapy. They will make an awesome team working together.

Here is an update I received from Kieth on 11-25-2013:

Hi Christinia,

I just wanted to drop you an email and let you know that Toy is doing great. We had to go to my great niece’s birthday party yesterday evening and didn’t want to leave him in the new house alone so we took him with us and he enjoyed all the attention he got. He has become attached to me a lot I went out to start the vehicle without Toy and he wined and barked till I came back into the house and then acted as if I had been gone for a week. he slept between me and my wife all night. He is very sweet Ara my step daughter had to do her reading last night before bed and Toy got in the bed with her and curled up to her as she read her book. He is a great dog and a very good companion. I just wanted to let you know how his first night was and I will keep you updated on how he is doing. Keith

 Pictured: From Left to Right: Christina Lee, deaf dog Ali’toa aka Toy, The Barksdale family, Kieth Barksdale

Last Minute Help Arrives for Ali’toa!

Deaf Dogs Rock received a message from a young lady named Selesitila Tu’ufuli who was going to be deployed to Kuwait in two days and she needed DDR’s help. I had been working with Seles starting a few of weeks back and I had talked her into neutering her dog so we could list him on our website under our Adoptable Deaf Dogs section on DDR. As soon as Ali’toa (aka Toy) was neutered, I listed her in our adoption section about a week ago. Toy’s owner Seles originally had plans to take the dog to a friend in Maryland so we could keep the listing up but the contact and location of the dog was about to change.  At the last minute her plans fell through with her friend in Maryland so she had 24 hours to get her deaf dog to safety.

Selesitila had two options, the first, she had 24 hours to find a rescue who would take a deaf pit bull (very slim chance in her area) or take the dog to a dog shelter where most likely the dog would be put down. Instead she sent me an urgent email asking for help. Deaf Dogs Rock had just received a donation to go towards helping deaf dogs in need from our friend Kim Rutherford. Because of Kim’s generosity I knew we could sponsor Toy to come here to Roanoke, Va.  My next move was to find one of our rescue friends to help out and to make room for Toy. That is where Angels of Assisi Rescue here in Roanoke comes in.

I got on my phone and sent a text message to Lisa O’Neal with Angels of Assisi rescue asking her if there was any way she could make room for a 20 month old deaf pit bull. Lisa immediately responded by sending me a text asking me to contact Bobbie Patterson the trainer  at Angels to confirm with Bobbie to make sure they had an open kennel for Toy.  As luck would have it, Bobbie did have room and both ladies gave us the go ahead to have Seles bring her deaf bully dog here to Roanoke. Next I had to text Seles and tell her to jump in her car first thing in the morning from her base in Virginia Beach/Newport News, VA to get Toy to us in the next morning.  She agreed and our rescue mission was moving forward!

Seles saying goodbye to her baby. 

The next day when Toy was to arrive I had my first Deaf Dogs Rock  presentation with a church group at 9:30 in the morning. I had Nitro with me for the presentation and when I was finished and got back out to my Deaf Dogs Rock transport car, Seles had sent me a text that she was already in Roanoke at Angels of Assisi waiting on me! She must have left Newport News at 5AM this morning!

I was in a rush to meet her but I still had to swing by Roanoke College to pick up my other deaf dog Bud. I picked Bud up from the college and then we rushed downtown to Angels of Assisi to see Selesitila and to meet Toy for the first time. I wanted to make sure to meet her face to face so I could assure her that I would personally work with Angels trainer Bobbie and make sure her deaf bully Ali’itoa will be in good hands. When I got to Angels of Assisi, Seles was downstairs saying goodbye to Toy. It was heart breaking to witness their final goodbyes because she was crying and upset. I introduced myself and gave her a big hug and reassured  her and assured her that Toy was in very good hands.

I took a goodbye photo of her and Ali’itoa (above), walked her outside, and introduced her to Nitro. Nitro always cheers everyone up so I knew a few wet kisses from him would make her feel better soon. From the minute she opened my back door and met Nitro, he preceded on licking her entire face! I pray that Seles stays safe on her mission in Kuwait and I hope she knows in her heart that she did the right thing by getting her deaf bully to us.

If you are interested in adopting Ali’itoa please click here to read more about him on his Deaf Dogs Rock listing.  Since this story was written Toy has been ADOPTED!

Nitro cheering Seles up before her long drive back to Newport News.

Thank you Selesitila for loving Ali’toa so much and for also serving our great Country.  May God Bless you and keep you safe.  I think I can speak for everyone when I say, you totally ROCK girl! 

 

 

A big shout out to Angels of Assisi, Lisa O’Neal, and Bobbie Patterson for helping DDR and this young woman on such short notice. I also want to thank Kim Rutherford who made a donation yesterday which was perfect timing so Deaf Dogs Rock could sponsor Ali’itoa through Angels of Assisi. Kim also has a beautiful deaf bully named Marvelous Marvin who we adore. According to my deaf dogs Nitro, Bud and myself, you all totally ROCK!

xoxoxo

~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock