Dork is my best friend and my savior. I adopted him and his Mama from a local shelter during one of the lowest points of my life in December 2007. They both may be rescues, but they rescued me more than I rescued them.
Dork was approximately 3 months old when I adopted them. He was a little white fluff ball - just cuter then one can ever imagine. Mama was dropped off at the animal shelter with a full litter of puppies. He is a lethal white, and when at the shelter, he had a sister just like him. The rest were normal. The shelter had adopted out the female lethal, but she soon died. From what I understand, she just sat there... wouldn't eat, wouldn't play, wouldn't interact. Sensory deprivation most likely. Therefore the shelter decided that Dork and Mama must be adopted together. Twist my arm... oh, ouch, stop. That was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make. So, off I go with two white Aussies.
Mama is pattern white with a blue merle patch on her face. Dork is also a pattern white, with some red merle coloring. Both crystal clear blue eyes. Dork was born completely dear, and blind in his left eye. It never completely formed, and the pupil is small and does not focus with his good right eye.
From day one, I could see that Dork was personality plus - and fearless! He shadowed his mother everywhere, and it was by being with her that he learned how to be a dog. When I adopted them, I was unemployed at that time. Therefore I spent nearly every hour of every day with them for nearly 10 months until I finally found a job. I'm glad I had that opportunity to do so - and I wish that I had thought to keep a log of how I watched Dork grow and learn his commands.
I do not have an exact count of commands, as a lot of how we interact was developed as he grew up in my company. I do have several "set" signals, such as tapping his nose tells him to sit down. Tapping his right shoulder means to shake. Tapping each side of his muzzle at the same time using both of my hands, he will sit up and give a "High 10". A flat horizontal hand starting at eye level dropping to the floor means to lie down. Waving my hands towards me is to come. Plus there are several more. He has learned to read my body movements and facial expressions, and I can easily guide him with my movements.
When I trained both he and his Mama on lead, they are both on my left in standard heel position, with Dork on the outside. My reasoning here was his one good eye is his right eye, therefore he would be able to see both his Mama and myself when on lead since we are both on his right side. They have both been trained to heel side-by-side on my left. When we stop, they sit.
There are absolutely no regrets in adopting these two. They have been my lifeline since the very first time I laid eyes on them.
Luv Lethal Whites - A site dedicated to my "lethal white", all dogs - and the dog-lover in all of us
I rescued two Australian Shepherds from a shelter, who are mother/son duo. The son is a “lethal white.” He was born completely deaf, and is blind in his left eye (but don't tell him - he doesn't know this). The term "lethal white" came about because when breeders would discover one or more of the litter mates was deaf and/or blind, they would cull them.
