Michigan Teen With Hearing Loss Adopts Deaf Pit Bull Mix

A deaf pit bull dog by the name of Dave was languishing in a dog shelter, waiting endlessly for a new home. However, dogs with special needs tend to be ignored by potential adopters. However, along came a Michigan teen, Walker Cousineau, 14, and he and his family adopted Dave. As Walker is suffering from hearing loss, he insists that dogs with special needs also deserve love. Since adopting Dave a little over a month ago, the pair are now inseparable.

Deaf dog adopted by hearing impaired teen

Walker lives in Bentley, Michigan, and wants other people to know the importance of adopting homeless pets. His mom, Mindy Cousineau, told Fox News, “Walker wanted Dave because he knows that animals in the shelter [with] special needs are typically overlooked.” She added:

He could be his buddy and know what he was going through — and understand.

Walker is experiencing hearing loss due to a kidney disorder and his mom said, “I think Walker needed somebody, too,” adding: “It worked out perfectly.”

It turns out Walker wasn’t born deaf. Mindy explained that it was when Walker was 10 that doctors found he had a kidney disorder called Alport syndrome, which affected his hearing. His mom added that now, his hearing is gradually going.

He does not use a lot of sign language. He lip reads and wears bilateral hearing aids, so they’re helping.

Walker found Dave on Facebook

Mindy explained that Walker was browsing on Facebook at the end of July when he came across a photo of Dave. The photo had been posted by the Humane Society of Midland County in Midland, Michigan. The teen told his mother, “There’s a deaf dog there. I have to go get him.”

By then, Dave had been at the shelter for several weeks. Meanwhile, no one had shown any interest in adopting him, according to Beth Wellman of the Humane Society of Midland County. She said Dave had several strikes against him in the shelter world, including his breed, his age, and the fact he is deaf. Wellman added:

I think Walker needed somebody, too. It worked out perfectly.

Wellman added that Dave had been a favorite among the shelter volunteers, saying Dave was “comical when out for walks, affectionate [and] gentle.” She wrote in an email to Fox News that when the Cousineau family came in specifically to meet him, everyone at the shelter was hopeful. They hoped this would finally be his turn to find a home. Wellman explained that it had ended up being a perfect match, adding that they are so thrilled for both the family and, of course, Dave.

Meanwhile, the center’s director added that they didn’t find out about Walker’s hearing impairment or the reasons why they wanted to meet Dave until they decided to adopt. Wellman added:

It was one of those moments where you get a chill, that this was the family that the dog was waiting for.

Dave and the Empty the Shelter event

Moreover, Dave had been part of an Empty the Shelter event organized by the BISSELL Pet Foundation in Grand Rapids. The event was held to encourage pet adoption and Dave ended up being one of 22,165 pets adopted. Meanwhile, after Walker and Dave’s story gained media attention, the BISSELL Pet Foundation shared the news of the adoption. According to his mom, Walker has taken all the attention “in his stride,” adding:

Walker is very sweet and kindhearted, so for other people to notice him for being so kind — it’s very strange to us because that’s just who he is.

When someone needs help, he’s the first person to help.

Meanwhile, since the adoption, Walker and Dave have become close friends and Dave has adjusted well to his new family. It turns out that, in addition to the mother and son, the family has dad Jim, sister Lauren, 22, brother Chase, 12, and two more rescue dogs. One is Doug, an Australian cattle dog mastiff mix and the other is Darry, an American bully. Apparently all the d’s – Doug, Darry and Dave – are all best friends too.

According to his mom, Walker’s message to everyone is that instead of buying dogs from pet stores or breeders, people should always consider adopting animals. He stressed that older dogs and dogs with special needs or issues also need love – not just puppies.