Damian's Page

This is my "little man", Damian. He was born on March 24, 1992. I was only twenty years old, and I still can remember the afternoon I had brought him home. He sat on my lap, and looked out the window, all the way home. He only weighed twelve pounds, and I could carry him with one hand.

Even at the age of almost eight years old, he is still the jumping jack ass he always was. When he thinks nobody is watching him.

He bonded to me, the second I scooped him up into my arms. He never, ever, cried for his litter mates. When I had gotten him home, I noticed that he seemed "different".

It was the first time he had ever been in a house, or been around any noise, but nothing ever phased him at all. It turned out that he was born bi-laterally deaf, and nothing could be done to restore his hearing. The breeder told me to euthanize him, and they would give me another puppy. I didn't want to do that, and prepared myself for a big commitment.

I taught Damian how to bark, which was rather interesting. But, I also trained him in advanced agility to compete with the hearing dogs. Our very first competition, we came in second place out of thirty-nine dogs.

I miss the good old days when "Just for Dogs" was around. It was such a big place, where I would practice with Damian almost everyday. It was a HUGE high point in my life when we did so well, in this competition. When I first came in with Damian, everyone thought that he would be a nothing dog.
I wish it was still there, as I have never come across a place so big, with such supportive people since. They also did not treat Damian as an aggressive dog, because of his breed. I will always have such pleasant memories of that place. Damian would not be what he is, if it were not for this wonderful place.

He is getting old now, and I can't help but to feel bad that I don't pay as much attention to him as I should. Since Sheena's amputation, I have been caring for her around the clock. I try to give him "mommy loving" whenever I can. He is so quiet, and never asks for much, so he sometimes goes unnoticed. I had him before I even met my husband, and have had him all of my adult life. He has always been so healthy, I guess I take him for granted.

I don't mean to do this, but all of Sheena's life, she has had some sort of injury to take care of. She also has a more dominant personality, so she knows how to get the attention.

I sure hope he knows how much I love my little old man. I am going to make sure I pay more attention to him.

As you can see, a deaf dog is very laid back, contrary to people's beliefs that they can be aggressive.

Damian is such loving boy. He is my shadow, and even if he is sound asleep, and I leave the room, he will wake to be where I am.

Here is my husband Frank, putting his booties on. It gets very cold in Calgary, and all my dogs live in the house with us, so they are not accustomed to the cold.

Damian is by far, no champion show dog. He is however, "The Champion of my heart", and my little old man. He has scaled the obstacles of his deafness, and has a very special place in my heart. He is so different then any other dog, and know he is definitely one of a kind.

Damian's links

Deafness in Rotties	Our Rainbow Bridge Page
Sheena's Page	Our Home Page
Sable's Page	Diva's Page
C.A.R.R. (rescue site)

NEXT PAGE

<A HREF="http://pet.xoomcounter.com/pet/map1/26099">
<IMG SRC="http://pet.xoomcounter.com/pet/counter.gif?26099" BORDER=0 ISMAP></A>

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws