Deaf man adopts adorable deaf puppy and teaches him sign language
A deaf man adopted a deaf puppy and is teaching his pet to communicate with him using special doggy sign language.
Nick Abbott, 31, rescued the young black Lab mix from a shelter near his Maine home in March and says he knew Emerson’s disability would help them form a bond.
He has used sign language to teach Emerson commands of sit, lay down and come – with the dog even barking if Nick shakes his ear lobe.
Nick told CBS News: ‘I was drawn to him right away because we had similarities. I felt I could understand him.’
The proud dog dad and his new pup pal, who also suffers from a vision impairment, made an instant connection as soon as they met.
A worker at the NFR shelter who set up the adoption recalled how Emerson ‘made a direct line’ for his new carer as soon as they met.
The worker continued: ‘I was sold that this was fate, and these 2 belonged to each other.
‘This will go down in history as one of my all-time favorite adoptions stories.
‘This will be the story I tell people when they ask “Why/how can you foster like that”.
This boy deserved nothing short of a fairy tale ending and that is EXACTLY what he got.’
Nick’s mother Richelle told Good Morning America: ‘It’s amazing. Whenever they’re together, Emerson is always finding a way to lean on Nick..’
Nick and Emerson have now created a joint Instagram account to share their story.