Pour some kibble on me: deaf shepherd finds happy home

When Marisa Nielsen and herfianc DesmondKumar firstlaid their eyes on Evie,ahusky-shepherd puppy living atthe B.C.SPCA, they could tell right away she was different.

For one, her white, perky ears didn't seem to hear a lick of sound.

"She was asleep," said Nielsen. "It was really funny because it was so noisythere was thumping going on.They were cleaning.There was dogs barking.There was traffic noisescoming from outside, and she was sleeping like she was in the middle of nowhere."

Eviewas given to the SPCAin East Vancouverbyher previous owners, after they found out she was hearing impaired. She was only a few weeks old and a perfect fit for the future newlyweds.

"We never planned on adopting when we weregoinginto theSPCA," saidNielsen."But when we saw thatEviewas deaf ... it seemed like is was meant to be."

Nielsen grew up with deaf parents,whotaught her sign language andkept her engaged with the deaf community. With her experience, sheknew thatshe could offer Evie the support sheneeded and that her parents would approve of the new family member.

'Smartest dog I've ever had'

"One of the best things about having her is the connection that she has with my parents and other people who are deaf in the community," said Nielsen,who believes her parents sharea special bond with the pup.

"She's quite a star in the deaf community," she said.

Nielsen and Kumar canboth speak sign language, and have used it to teach Eviea handful of commands.

"When she first came home, within a weekshe knew how to sit, stand, stayand we just started working on [more]" said Kumar, the dog's self-proclaimed servant.

The couple had to work in tandem to teach Evie commands one holdingher head while the other spoke to her in sign. They were amazed by her progress.

"She's the smartest dog I've ever had," said Nielsen.

Doggydating service

Lorie Chortyk from the B.C. SPCAthinks Nielsen and Kumar have shaken paws with the right pup.

"With our animals, its almost like a dating service," she said "We always try to match up the animals with people that are going to understand their needs."

Chortyk thinks it's a match made in heaven.

"[Evie]just adores them, andthey adore herit's just a wonderful situation," she added.

With files from Rafferty Baker