Willow's Adoption "Tail"!

This is Willow she is what is called a "lethal white" Australian Shepherd.  She exists because a human unintentially or deliberately allowed a Merle-to-Merle breeding.  She is not alone there are many other dogs just like her being born everywhere.  However most of the others you will never see since they have already been euthanized (killed) by breeders or at shelters where they were deemed "unadoptable".  As a result of Willow's breeding she is completely deaf.  But that doesn't slow her down for a second.   I am just starting teaching Willow signs but she is picking it up quickly; I eventually hope to compete in UKC Obedience and ASCA/NADAC/USDAA Agility with her, and I hopes of registering her as a Therapy Dog with T.D.I. (Therapy Dogs International); but that will have to wait until she has settled in more and we are sure we know the "true" her. :o)   Below is Willow's "Tail" from the time she was first found and brought into the shelter, until the time I adopted her. :o) Not much is known about Willow's past; she was found as a stray wondering around Cedar City, Utah where she was picked up by animal control.  The staff soon realized that Willow was "stone deaf".  The policy in Utah is that all strays must be held for 72 hours after that they are either euthanized or put up for adoption.  Lucky for Willow the staff fell in love with her and were determined to find her a home; she quickly earned the name of "Wiggly Wilma" do to the way she wiggles her whole body when she's excited.    I first saw Willow (than "Wiggly Wilma") on petfinder.com; since I was not currently searching for another dog I put her in the back of my mind until three days later when I received an e-mail from a friend about this very dog.  Saying how she was in a high kill shelter.  I quickly e-mailed the shelter to find out more about her and to find out if she was at risk of being put down.  They told me that they loved her and were keeping her for as long as they could, but she was indeed in danger of being euthanized.  After they heard about Scout they urged me to consider adopting her or to contact anyone I knew that could help in getting her into a forever home, or even a foster home until a forever home could be found.  A friend and I asked everyone we could think of but no one was willing to foster a dog "like her".  Most were scared off because of her deafness.   So four weeks later; After constant e-mails and phone calls between the shelter and I; I finally told them I would adopt her, and not a moment too soon; they had kept Willow for a month and a half by this time, the usual holding period is 3-7 days sometimes longer if they have the room.  They could not continue to keep her there as other dogs were having to be euthanized to allowed the space for her....her time would of been up the following week...   Scout came with me when I went to meet Willow; they hit it off immediately not a problem between them; so Willow came home with us; she was very good in the car with the exception of getting car sick twice on the way. (turns out she had eaten a large breakfast!).  Willow is a very unique color I've been told that it is called a "Sable merle".  I have never seen and Aussie of that coloring before so I am taking the word of the shelter and of an Aussie breeder on that.   Willow has been her new home since October 8, 2004; she is settling in nicely and has already learned a sign for her name (ASL Letter "W") and "Good"; we are also working on "Sit" and "Off". (off since she enjoys jumping on everyone and everything!)  We will be adding more signs/commands to her 'vocabulary' after she has mastered these.

Willow right after coming to her new home

Willow (than Wiggly Wilma) in the shelter

Willow's adoption listing on DDEAF. Wiggly Wilma Date: September 14, 2004 Breed: Australian Shepherd Gender: Female Is the dog spayed or neutered? Not Yet Age: 1 year Height: average Weight: average This dog is: [x] Bilaterally deaf (deaf in both ears) [ ] Unilaterally deaf (deaf in one ear) Brief Description: Wilma has a very distinct color pattern (she appears to be a sable merle). She is white with large patches of color. Her coat is curly and unbelievably soft. Her eyes are both the ice blue in color. She has no tail, and she wiggles her behind when she's excited. She has an adorable pink nose. Training Summary: House Trained? [x] Yes [ ] No Crate Trained? [ ] Yes [x] No Obedience Training? [x] Some [ ] None Health Summary: Shots are up to date: [ ] Yes [x] No If "No," list all shots this dog needs: She was found as a stray, and probably should have all vaccinations. Does this dog have any health problems? [ ] Yes [x] No If "Yes," please describe: Socialization Summary: This dog can be placed in a home with: Another dog of the same sex: [x] Yes [ ] No [ ] Don't know Another dog of the opposite sex: [x] Yes [ ] No [ ] Don't know Young children: [x] Yes [ ] No [ ] Don't know Cats: [x] Yes [ ] No [ ] Don't know Small caged animals (birds, rabbits, etc.): [ ] Yes [ ] No [x] Don't know Does this dog have any behavior problems? [ ] Yes [x] No [ ] Don't know If "Yes," please describe: How would you describe this dog's temperament? Wilma is a great girl. She is very obedient. She gets along with all the animals here at the shelter. She seems to be very good with people, both ones she knows and strangers. She is very gentle and extremely affectionate. She does not bark out of discontent. She will however bark when playing with the other dogs. Because we are a shelter, the animals do not have toys. She would love to just lay at your feet or preferably on your lap.