One of the great things about dedicating our lives to saving deaf dogs all over the county, is the wonderful rescue people we get to work with every single day. One of our Rescue Warriors up is North is such a person. Her name is Tanya MacAllister with Poet’s Vision Aussie Rescue in Perth Ontario.

Deaf Dogs Rock is very lucky to be able to work with rescuer warrior women like Tanya of Poet’s Vision Aussie Rescue. On several occasions when we have needed a rescue for a deaf dog in danger of being put down and we look for a reputable rescue to really step up on short notice. Poet’s Vision and Tanya have come to our rescue and she is always there for us when we have specific questions regarding training and behavior issues.

More about Poet’s Vision Rescue:

Poet’s Vision Aussie Rescue is a volunteer based, registered and incorporated not for profit organization located in Perth, Ontario. We are strictly volunteer run and rely on donations and our care.

We are dedicated to rescuing and re-homing deaf and visually impaired Australian Shepherds (mixes).

Through no fault of their own many of these dogs end up abandoned, abused, neglected, dumped, and killed because some consider them to be defective and unable to function in a seeing and hearing world. There are those who feel as if they are not “normal” dogs however, we know differently.

Even if a double Merle dog, (also known as lethal white) makes it into a shelter their chances  of being placed for adoption are slim and many are euthanized due to ignorance. We know these dogs can and do lead normal lives.

With the help of our volunteer foster families, we provide a stable environment where the dogs are treated as one of our own. The dogs brought into our care are given all necessary veterinarian care including spaying and neutering. The dogs are trained in hand signals and touch signals as well as given plenty of opportunities for socialization with other dogs and people.

 

 

For The Love of Poet  A Rescue is Born – Poet’s Vision Rescue

Note: Poet has since passed away since this story was originally written by Tanya in 2013. 

By Tanya MacAllister – Poet’s Vision Rescue

The dream of starting a rescue became a reality after my adopting Poet and two months later his brother from a separate litter, Lyric.

Photo: Poet and Lyric

Poet had been in a rescue with Hulls Haven Border Collie Rescue in Winnipeg and was having a hard time finding his forever home. Separation anxiety, deafness, high visual impairments and a stubborn yet goofy nature was proving to be overwhelming to potential adopters. I kept watching him on the Hulls Haven Facebook page and website and knew in my heart I could provide this boy with the love and stability that he needed.

Fast forward to an approved application: How was I going to get Poet from Winnipeg to Ontario?

Poet could not fly to us as his separation anxiety was so severe. I decided to ask his foster mom if she would drive him halfway if I raised the money to cover her expenses. She agreed so I started on a mass fundraising drive. What I thought would take a few months to raise the funds actually only took a week. So a date was set to meet and bring our boy home.

Photo: Poet and Lyric

Was it challenging at first? YES. Was he a stubborn brat? YES. With time and patience he learnt to overcome his separation anxiety and be a silly fun loving, still stubborn but charming boy.

Photo: Poet – Poet October 31, 2009 – December 17, 2013

Poet, is like any hearing or sighted dog. He runs, he plays, and he fetches a ball. Does he run into things? Sometimes but it doesn’t stop him from enjoying his life to the fullest. Poet made an instant bond with my husband, Frank. Poet goes to work with his dad most days, and loves to spend time riding around in the work truck visiting different job sites.

Lyric, who is Poets younger brother, came into the picture a few months after we had adopted Poet. I met Lyric when I was in Winnipeg attending a huge rescue adopt-a-thon. Lyric was under the care of Bright Eyes Dog Rescue based out of Saskatchewan. I watched this 4 month old puppy for two days soaking up everything that was sent his way. He was a trooper who marched right along through life with this amazing solid personality. I contacted my husband and told him that I thought we should adopt Lyric as well. Obviously he agreed so Lyric made the flight home to Ontario with me. Oh what a ham this young puppy was! Full of zoomies and bark sessions as well as constantly stealing things off counters. He house trained and crate trained with ease and was a dream to teach basic hand signals too. Lyric is my heart dog. He is smart, affectionate but not overly so, eager to please and learn. Lyric has the uncanny sense to just know, what I am asking him to do.

Photo: Lyric

In Poet and Lyric I saw dogs that were capable of doing the same things that hearing and sighted dogs can do. I knew in my heart that there was something I could do to help others who like them, deserved a second chance. The long process of educating myself as to how to go about responsibly starting a registered not for profit rescue, got underway. I spent time watching two other rescues run their day to day operations, as well as ask numerous and I mean numerous questions. My mentor was and always will be Sally Hull. Sally is the founder of

Hulls Haven Border Collie Rescue, where Poet was adopted from. I am sure; in fact I know, that

I must have driven her insane with the numerous emails and phone calls. However, she was always there with words of wisdom and encouragement.

Without Sally’s help I could have never of done this. I remain humbled by her kindness and support for everything she taught and continues to teach me.

The dream became a reality in January 2012 when we opened our doors to the first rescue puppy Ayva.

Ayva was born deaf and highly visually impaired. For two months she screamed bloody murder at night when she woke up and no one was around. Sleep deprivation just became a way of life during that time. Hard work and determination to set this young pup up for success was my only goal. She learned how to maneuver steps, sit, lay down, and come when called.

In the last year we successfully helped rescue, rehabilitate, train and rehome over twenty three dogs that would not have even been given a chance at life.

 

This is Poet’s Vision :

   I Have A Vision

 I have a vision.…..to help other dogs like me find loving, caring forever homes.

 I have a vision.…..to educate the public about dogs like me and how we are no different.

I have a vision ………to provide awareness to society that dogs like me are the result of ignorance and irresponsible breeders .

I have a vision……to save other dogs that are just like me from euthanasia because we  are what some people consider “defective”.

I have a vision…...That We All Deserve A Chance

 Photos by: Poet’s Vision Rescue: Just a few of the many dogs Poet’s Vision has rescued and trained. 

Poet’s Vision Aussie Rescue has a dream………

A dream to help deaf and / or visually impaired dogs have the most fulfilling life as possible.

A dream to help all dogs that come into our care be placed in loving forever families based on their own individual needs.

A dream to help educate and provide awareness to the public, into the breeding practices that produce these impairments’.

A dream to work together with other rescues to be a voice for those who don’t have one.