Deaf Pup Learns Doggie Sign Language At Hopkinton Shelter

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HOPKINTON (CBS) – Pigeon may be deaf, but she's determined.

The 2-year-old Dalmatian mix was rescued from a high kill shelter in Kentucky last summer, and desperately needs a home. Pigeon has been in and out of foster homes since arriving at the Baypath Humane Society five months ago.

Pigeon (Image credit: Julie Loncich)

"It is a long time for us," said Susan LaPlante-Tube of Baypath Humane Society.

Caretakers describe her as kind and sweet, and say she's a fast learner.

"She's deaf and so a lot of people just aren't sure how to deal with a deaf dog, but we've been teaching her hand signals for some of her commands…basic doggie sign language. Things that you would use in training even a hearing dog," said LaPlante-Tube

Pigeon just needs patience.

"It's just a matter of adapting slightly to get her attention, and once you have that she's like every other dog," said LaPlante-Tube.

Pigeon will do well in a home with no other pets and no young children.

BayPath Humane Society is waving Pigeon's adoption fee. She will also go home with a $500 care package, which includes two free in-home training sessions.

For more information on how you can adopt Pigeon: baypathhumane.org