system: You are Tiffany Williams, a caller on a 1990s BBS posting in the Dogs message echo. Write like a real BBS user of the era — plain, direct, in your own voice, no modern polish.

user: You are replying to Drew Blanchar about "Deaf dogs".

They wrote:
DB>Thought you might find some of this info interesting.........
DB>   DEAF DOG EDUCATION ACTION FUND
DB> The facts about canine deafness are startling.  There are 64 breeds with
DB>reported congenital deafness with Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian
DB>Shepherds, Bull Terriers, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Dalmatians, English
DB>Spaniels, and English Setters reporting the highest prevalence.  Of these,
DB>Dalmatian breed has the highest incidence of deafness.  Twelve percent of
DB>Dalmatians born are deaf in both ears and up to 18 percent are deaf in one
DB>ear.  Tens of thousands of deaf dogs are born each year, over 14,000 deaf
DB>Dalmatians alone!   And all over the world, deaf dogs continue to be
DB>because they are rumored to be brain damaged, aggressive and cannot be
DB>trained.  But there is new evidence surfacing that disproves these
DB> Deaf dogs, as trained, intelligent and loving pets, are beginning to be
DB>recognized and talked about in newspapers, magazines, television, on the
DB>Internet and in a new book on canine deafness.  For instance, deaf dogs
DB>been reported on or featured by Britain's Dogs Today magazine (June,
DB>the Associated Press (November, 1996), and Dog Fancy magazine (November,
DB>1997).  Connie Bombaci and her deaf dog, Hogan, appeared on NBC's Dateline
DB>(December, 1996) and  Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures.  The first of its
DB>Susan Cope Becker's book, Living With A Deaf Dog, goes on sale in America
DB>Europe in November 1997.
DB> The latest news in the world of deaf dogs is the establishment of the
DB>Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF) as a non-profit organization.  Based in
DB>California, the organization's board members are comprised of deaf dog
DB>from the United States and Canada.  Their mission is to provide education
DB>funding for the purpose of improving and/or saving the lives of deaf dogs.
DB>accomplish their goals, DDEAF will gather and share facts and data about
DB>deaf dog population through owners, breeders and rescue organizations in
DB>to compile reliable research that will help the deaf dog to be better
DB>understood and accepted by the general public, potential and current
DB>the scientific community, breeders and breed clubs.
DB> These people have come together through the Deaf Dog Mailing List
DB>by board member, Lindsay Patten, programmer and President of CyberVision
DB>Technologies of Kitchener, Ontario.  In 1995, Patten was volunteering at a
DB>local shelter when he first became acquainted with a deaf Dalmatian.  His
DB>curiosity was aroused, and he searched the Internet for information about
DB>dogs and found only the Dalmatian Club of America's statement which states
DB>that deaf dogs should be humanely euthanized because they are overly
DB>become aggressive and are neurotic.  After spending more time with the
DB>Dalmatian, he realized the dog did not fit this description.  Patten
DB>the dog, and named him Cairo.
DB> Patten then went in search of deaf dog owners via the Internet with whom
DB>could exchange training and signing tips, experiences with their deaf
DB>and to give support and encouragement to new owners of deaf dogs.  To find
DB>these comrades, Patten founded the Deaf Dogs Mailing List and the Deaf
DB>Web Pages.
DB> Less than two years later, Lindsay reports that there are 300-400 active
DB>members on the mailing list, with over 1,000 subscribers, past and
DB>from Canada, the United States, England, Australia, the Netherlands,
DB>and Italy. "Before the list was created, successful deaf dog owners were
DB>isolat
DB>ed and dismissed by the so-called experts as rare exceptions to the
DB>horror-story rule," says Patten.  "Because of the list, we know two things
DB>certain: there are a lot of deaf dog owners, and very few of us are having
DB>problems with our deaf dogs, other than the typical dog problems all dog
DB>owners face, like housebreaking, chewing or digging."
DB> As members of the mailing list and owners of three deaf dogs, Holly
DB>her husband John, and fellow Dog Mailing List members rallied twice in the
DB>last few months to help fly two deaf dogs to loving homes and away from
DB>certain death.  This inspired the Newsteads to propose to the members of
DB>list that a non-profit organization be founded to speak on behalf of and
DB>assist in the betterment of life for deaf dogs everywhere.  The Deaf Dog
DB>Education Action Fund resulted.
DB> DDEAF plans to disseminate educational and training material to potential
DB>current deaf dog owners about training and communicating with their deaf
DB>and how to be responsible owners.  They will also provide a network
DB>those who have deaf dogs to adopt and people  seeking a deaf dog as a pet;
DB>to maintain a travel fund to assist in the transportation of deaf dogs to
DB>homes and owners.
DB> With canine over population at monstrous proportions in this country-over
DB>MILLION dogs are destroyed annualy  in the U.S.-DDEAF will promote spaying
DB>neutering of all pets, and challenge current breeding and culling
DB>that the canine population, hearing and deaf, might be reduced to more
DB>manageable numbers.
DB> Although deaf dogs compete in many agility and obedience competitions all
DB>over the world, there are still some kennel clubs who do not permit deaf
DB>into their obedience or agility trials, the American Kennel Club for one.
DB> DDEAF plans to help unite the efforts of deaf dog owners who seek the
DB>to participate in competitions and shows (with the exception of
DB>which excludes spayed and neutered dogs).
DB> Overall, the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund will function as a central
DB>organization for deaf dog owners and supporters to create a stronger voice
DB>that will help increase awareness about the deaf canine community.
DB>to Newstead, the Board of Directors is asking for volunteers to work on
DB>committees that will begin working to meet their goals.  Inquiries about
DB>to get involved are welcomed.
DB> "DDEAF is open to membership.  Funds raised through membership drives
DB>help pay for brochures, mailings, transportation of deaf dogs to new
DB>and other expenses incurred in our work for the deaf dog,"  adds Newstead.
DB>For more information about deaf dogs and the Deaf Dog Education Action
DB>visit the DDEAF Web Page at
DB>   http://www.cybervision.com/ddeaf/.
DB> Their page for frequently asked questions is at
DB>   http://www.cybervision.com/ddeaf/FAQ.html.
DB> The Deaf Dog Web Pages can be found at
DB>   ttp://www.cybervision.com/~cairo/deaf.html.  If you or someone you know
DB>needs information about training a deaf dog, write to the Deaf Dog
DB>Action Fund.  Their email address is DDEAF@aol.com.  Letters can also be
DB>by regular mail to: Deaf Dog Education Action Fund, PO Box 369, Boonville,
DB>95415.
DB> Submitted by:  Holly Newstead
DB>--- FLAME v1.1
DB> * Origin: Port Chicago's Loading Dock - 510-676-5359 (1:161/204) I am a

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