3 Strikes: Isabella's story

Cute puppies come in all shapes and sizes. They can be obnoxious, funny, irritating and adorable all in the same 5 minute time period. They get away with it because they are puppies. I tend to stay away from puppies because I don't worry about them. Their endearing puppy quality ensures them a home.

Then I met Isabella. Isabella came to the Humane Society of Sarasota County along with several other dogs as surviors of Hurricane Ike, which hit the Galveston, Texas area. She is the only one we have left. This means at 3.5 months of age, she survived a hurricane, was picked up by the HSUS, transported to Florida and ended up at our shelter. Strike One in her life.

She is the cutest puppy I have ever seen and I have seen some cute ones, but she has ears that stand straight, almost bigger than her head. She is white, with black spots on her ears. One of her eyes is blue, while the other is brown. She is a wiggly, squirmy, adorable puppy who is a pit bull mix. Strike two. (Don't tell her though, she doesn't know it)

Then, as she waited in our holding area to be put in adoption, she was on the other side of her kennel, with her back to me. I called her and she didn't respond. Until I flicked the leash and she saw the movement out of the corner of her eye, she had no idea I was there. Our behaviorist tested her and discovered she can't hear. Isabella, in all her cuteness, is deaf. Strike 3

Now, she doesn't know she is a hurricane survivor, or her breed is disparaged, or that she is deaf. She only knows kindness and beds, good food and hugs with lots of playmates all around.

She is smart. In one session she mastered the hand signal for down, sit and good girl.

She needs a home. One where her breed, deafness or place of birth doesn't matter. An owner who is willing to have the patience and time to teach her all she is willing to learn. She plays well with other dogs and has been exposed to kids, but we are recommending a no kids household because of her disability.

Training is essential so she doesn't become what is known in the shelter world as a boomerang dog. One who leaves and comes back several times simply due to a human error in training.

Are you up for the challenges Isabella presents? She has 3 strikes against her, so let's not have her strike out. Call 955-4131 and speak to them about Isabella. She is going to make someone a fabulous pet. You can also check out this website for training deaf dogs.