Chance encounter leads to love for deaf dog

Maggie isn’t a morning person (or should we say morning dog). Six a.m. jog? Sounds like a nightmare. Fresh bowl of kibble? It’ll still be there in a few hours. This adorable sleepyhead prefers to stay cozy in her humans’ bed, nestled in the lush duvet. Even if you hook on her leash and give a gentle tug, Maggie shall not be moved. She’ll just sit like a statue before eventually flopping over and drifting back to sleep. Some days, the only way to get Maggie up is by carrying her downstairs. But her new family is happy to do it — and so much more — for their special girl.

Two-year-old Maggie’s story begins at a New York City animal shelter, where staff recognized that she was going to need specialized care. She had skin irritation all over her body. Plus, she was deaf.

Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life. Soon, Maggie was on her way to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in New York City, where she received a veterinary checkup and antibiotics for her skin. But she wouldn’t be at the center for long.

Just two days after her arrival, Maggie was taking a walk through the city with a Best Friends volunteer. A man named David spotted her bright orange “adopt me” vest and stopped to say hello. When he learned that Maggie was deaf, the meeting felt like kismet. One of David’s two dogs, Cordelia, is deaf, too. He immediately called his wife, Heather, and asked her to meet them at the pet adoption center.

Deaf dog loves story time

As Maggie spent time with David and Heather, it became clear that they had stumbled upon an extraordinary match. The couple had already taught Cordelia to communicate using hand signals, so they felt prepared to help Maggie navigate the world. David and Heather also had another dog, Dolores. Maggie had loved doggy playgroups, so the Best Friends team knew she would thrive in a home with canine friends.

Just like that, Maggie was off to her new life (and her new bed).

Things went beautifully in her new home from day one. Teaching her hand signals came naturally, and it didn’t take long for Maggie to find her place in the family.

Maggie and Dolores quickly became best buddies. They play tug-of-war and romp around together. Maggie also enjoys gazing out the window, playing with her stuffies, and snuggling up for a nap in the crook of David’s arm.

Deaf dog’s inspiring journey home

With her family by her side, Maggie is up for anything … as long as it isn’t before noon.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.