Update on Raynor 10-26-2014: After working with Raynor for a week on his leash walking while he was staying at Angels of Assisi Rescue, Angels received are really good adoption application. The only problem with the family who wanted to adopt Raynor was that they currently lived in Vermont. This always provides special challenges because I need to find a local rescue to do a home visit and then we have to think about transport teams to get the dog up North. I was very lucky our friend Trisha (who has deaf dog Kiefer) sent a rescue our way to help with a home visit in Vermont. A big shout out to Cathy Gibson with New England Border Collie Rescue for doing a courtesy home visit to make sure Raynor was heading to a good home. Raynor also got to hang out with my husband Chris downstairs the night before we went on our long trip up North. To say my husband spoiled him that night is an understatement. This is a deaf dog “selfie” he took with Raynor and it is by far one of my favorite photos of my hubby of all time! I love that that both of these boys have big smiles on their faces. That pretty much sums up what we do here at Deaf Dogs Rock! Thanks Christopher for always fostering the babies in another side of the house to keep the chaos in our home to minimum level (we have six dogs that live here).

 

Chris Lee with deaf dog Raynor the night before his long distance transport. 

 

 

Christina Lee with Deaf Dogs Rock in downtown Roanoke doing loose leash training with deaf boxer dog Raynor. 

Raynor did officially get ADOPTED!

Raynor and I went on a very long adventure on Saturday October 25, 2014. When Chris and I discussed his transport we did not want him to be transported by 10 different people (he does not know) so we made the unusually decision to drive him all the way from Virginia to Wilkes Barre, PA to meet his new family. His new family Kathy Lemire and her husband also drove 6 hours from Vermont to Wilkes Barre, PA to meet me and take Raynor to his new home. The meet and greet went well with their boxer boy so we loaded Raynor up to be on his way to his new home in Vermont. The first couple of weeks are always a huge challenge not only for the deaf dog going to a new home but also for the family. New rules need to be put into place and any kind of “trigger” points need to be addressed before hand so the dog’s don’t get into a fight. When a family goes from one dog to two dogs sometimes it is best to reevaluate what they do at home like eating dinner on the couch with two dogs staring at them (this is a trigger point for a resource guarding issue). Chris and I will pray for you and your family Raynor in hopes you all stick out the challenging road ahead over the next few weeks. Welcome home Raynor, welcome home.

~ Christina and Chris Lee – Deaf Dogs  Rock

 

Raynor got adopted by the Lemire Family of Vermont

 

Raynor finally got RESCUED! We have been in contact with a wonderful couple named Lisa and Andrew. They have been taking care of a deaf white boxer in a home where the owners had to leave their animals behind to fend for themselves. Because of the kindness of Andrew and Lisa, the animals were taken care of for 6 weeks until a rescue or home could be found for the 3 cats, 2 dogs, and a bearded dragon.

Andrew and Raynor saying their final goodbyes. 

Chris meeting Raynor for the first time. He was totally smitten with him! 

This week Angels of Assisi had room to bring deaf boxer boy Raynor to rescue so he would not spend 22 hours a day alone without human contact. Andrew, Raynor’s rescuer was kind enough to offer to drive Raynor the entire 3 hours to get him here to Roanoke VA. Deaf Dogs Rock was happy to meet Raynor here at the Deaf Dogs Rock Headquarters on a beautiful Fall Friday. As soon as Raynor arrived here at the farm he got to run and play. I wanted to get him good and tired  before I took him down town to Angels of Assisi Rescue.

Once we got down town, I personally walked Raynor and showed him the downtown area so he could get used to his new surroundings. We went on a long walk and he did so good. He pulled a little at first because there were so many dog and people smells. On the way back from our walk he did much better and started walking next to me. Bobbie Wiggins (the trainer at Angels) and I will be working with Raynor to teach him new signs and spend time doing loose leash training and “watch me” training.

Raynor and I – I am IN LOVE! 

I want to thank all of our Deaf Dogs Rock supporters and all of you folks who participated in our T-shirt Booster campaign so we can sponsor dogs like Raynor into rescue. A big thanks to Bobbie and the Angels of Assisi Team for helping us help Raynor. According to my deaf dogs Nitro, Bud, Raynor, and myself, you all totally ROCK!

A big shout out to Lisa and Andrew for being so patient because it takes time getting things organized and everyone on the same page when it comes to rescue. We kept in constant contact with Lisa and Andrew for the past 3 weeks trying to figure out when we could transport and receive Raynor into Rescue here in Roanoke, VA. Not only did Andrew drive Raynor here but he also purchased a very nice Kong collar, harness and leash just for Raynor.

Thanks again Lisa and Andrew for being Raynor’s rescue advocates. ~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock