A bit about me...Marilyn who was inspired by "Aurora" a deaf crested, and "Voodoo" the other love of her life, she adopted the two from RCrested Tails and has dedicated her life to her Cresteds. Please read the story below...
  - mbolism red, designer/creator of Hair of the Dog Detroit! Detroit, NYC, The Poconos, United States I have been involved with dog rescue & fostering 7 years. I have a happy pack of 11 dogs. Most are seniors & special needs dogs. All but 3 are adopted. The stars of Hair of the Dog Detroit are my 2 chinese cresteds, Aurora Dior & Voodoo who I was fortunate that Marla and Ellen brought these two cresteds into my life from RCrested Tails. They inspired me to start my store. Aurora Marla and Ellen purchased from a breeder in Canada, in which soon after lots of tests, they found out she was born deaf. She has taught me so much & is my muse. She graduated from Basic Obedience in 2007 & went on to become a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Incorporated. Voodoo is my newest addition. Words can�t express how much he means to me. I especially enjoy designing & creating one of a kind items. Visit my etsy store @ http://www.hairofthedogdetroit.etsy.com & @ be our friend on myspace.com: http://www.myspace.com/hairofthedogdetroit I am a proud member of 2 wonderful teams on etsy.com: The Etsy Dog Mafia. Please search etsy.com tags for dogmafiateam for wonderful, homemade things for you & your dog. And the EFA: Etsy For Animals. They do monthly fundraisers & wonderful work to raise donations & awareness of animal-related causes. Visit the blog below & search etsy.com for tags: team efa -Items helping charity: charity, animals. Thanks & happy shopping!
Owning a "Deafie" can change your life (and theirs)  
Two years ago, I "adopted" my first deaf dog, Aurora Dior. I was lucky to meet a breeder in my area R Crested Tails, who trusted me to take Aurora, train her and give her a fun life. In the past two years, I've become more active in deaf dog education, training, and working to help raise awareness of deaf dogs needs. There are many "myths" out there about deaf dogs, and I've found them ALL to be false. My life has changed for the better since inviting a deaf dog to share it with me, and I've made a decision to only adopt deaf dogs in the future. I created this lens not just to help educate a bit more about deaf dogs in general, but also to share my story of my time with Aurora Dior, Deaf Dog Extraordinaire to offer a more personal account of living with a "deafie". Trust me, it's one of the best things you could ever do...it's not for everyone, but for those who desire a TRUE, deep connection with their pet, there's no better way to achieve that than to adopt or save a dog with a disability. This is our story.
 Aurora Dior, spreading joy as a Certified Therapy Dog. Top 10 reasons to adopt a Deaf Dog -although I can think of about 100 more... 1.) You are forced to learn something new. Me? I had to learn how to TRAIN Aurora. It was new for both of us, and that was very rewarding and very bonding.
We got to "know" each other as I learned ASL (american sign language) and taught her the meanings of the hand signals. I became so passionate about ASL that someday I hope to be able to become an interpreter for people, as well as continuing to train other deaf dogs.
2.) You realize you don't know as much as you think you do. I thought I pretty much knew everything 'basic' about dogs that there was to know. How much is there to know, really? Well, a LOT to be honest!
I've realized the subtleties that exist in the way dogs communicate. When you work with a deaf dog, you realize it's NOT all about the voice, but about the energy, the body movements and body language and facial expressions. Nothing is trivial. I never realized it as much as I do since Aurora came into my life.
3.) Life is never boring with a "deafie". I can't think of a day that has gone by in the past 2 years with Aurora that she hasn't made me giggle, smile, our outright laugh hysterically at some of her behaviors. I have no idea why she does it, but when it's lunch or dinner time for Aurora, she runs around my living room, chasing her own shadow and barking at it. Why? I have no idea...but it sure is kind of cute.
4.) You WILL be challenged. You have to THINK, you have to learn, you have to really work 'out of the box' when training and working with a deaf dog. You have to be creative. I've come up with some pretty interesting and silly hand signals and movements to help me communicate with Aurora. I guess you could say that at this point, I could become a pretty good mime. I've learned to not just smile and look happy when she does something right, but to OVERexaggerate so she understands that my reaction to what she does is Positive. I have to overact "angry" if she does something wrong, while doing a "no-no" ASL hand sign. It seems like everyday I'm honing my non-verbal communication, but it's really been rewarding and helped me in other areas of my life as well. Don't underestimate the importance of NOT speaking!
5. You will be amazed at what they can do. There's a saying in the deaf community, "the deaf can do anything you can do, but hear". I always say Aurora can do everything hearing dogs can do, except hear.
To date, Aurora knows over 25 "words"/hand signals, she knows tricks like dance, speak (she's learning individual words now- like saying "aurora" and "mama"). Aurora graduated from Basic Obedience at the top of her class, along with a 3 legged dog. The two of them put all the hearing dogs in the class to shame several times! Soon after graduating, Aurora also passed her therapy dog test and is now going into her 2nd year as a certified/registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Incorporated.
6.) You may find yourself volunteering more and becoming an activist! (and that's a good thing!)
Personally, I've found myself spending more and more time educating everyone we meet about deaf dogs. Did you know that many/most breeders, when they find they have a deaf dog in a litter, just outright euthanize it, not even giving the dog a CHANCE at any type of life? Knowing and loving Aurora, I give thanks everyday that her original breeder didn't know she was deaf before shipping her out to her new home. If things were different, Aurora might not be here today, and anyone who has met her can tell you that the world would be a little emptier without her in it. There is no reason breeders should 'play God' and decide that a deaf dog doesn't deserve a happy, loving, fulfilling life just like hearing dogs get. Yes, I have gotton very political and very outspoken since I got Aurora, and I'm happy. I feel like I can make a difference and help save lives that deserve to be saved. Now I check craigslist, kijiji, petfinder and other classifieds for people listing deaf dogs. I try to get them in touch with the deaf and disabled dog rescues. In the future, I hope to meet more and more dog breeders and let them know that if they breed a deaf dog, I would love to get it from them and give it a fighting chance at a wonderful life. Isn't that a God-given right? Who is qualified really to decide who lives and who dies? I think they all deserve a chance.
7.) The bond you have with a deaf dog is for life and is unbreakable. They count on you to show them what to do, they watch you to see how YOU react to things, so they know how to react. They follow you and look to you for help, support and love. They trust you 100% and give you everything they have. To me, THAT'S priceless.
8.) You get to meet a lot of truly incredible, amazing people. Go to the deaf dogs yahoo group, D2Care.org, deafdogs.org, or my absolute favorite new rescue I've discovered: http://www.petswithdisabilities.org/
Read some of the stories, meet the people who run these rescues and sites. They're ANGELS, saviors, caring, loving people who do so much and sacrifice so much to help dogs who no one else will help. In this sometimes selfish, scary world it's comforting to know that individuals like Joyce Darrell and her husband Michael Dickerson are out there. They founded Pets with Disabilities. Support them and do all you can, because they do! We should all be so lucky as to have people like them on our side.
9.) It wouldn't be me to not put something funny in here, so here goes! You don't have to worry about your dog barking at the doorbell, being afraid of thunder or fireworks, and they won't run to the kitchen when you open a bag of chips. For more, visit the humor page here: http://deafdogs.org/faq/humor.php
10.) Your life will never be the same: it will be BETTER. If I have to explain that, you haven't been paying attention. ;)Style Hounds, Couture Concious Canines & Accessory Divas, Welcome. Welcome to the House of HOUND! Or actually, the house of Hair of the Dog Detroit...Over the years on various dog forums, I've posted advice on SO many things "dog" and fashion, I figured it was about time I have a place to put it ALL together! I hope to help educate and share a lot of my trial & error (and there have been errors!) experiences with my dogs, training, and accessorizing. I LOVE "styling" dogs. If I could make up a job I'd love to do it'd be DOG STYLIST, like the stylists to the stars, only for dogs. I'm an ex-hairstylist and groom my chinese cresteds myself, so I have a lot of great skin care tips for hairless breeds and ideas for easier grooming.
Enjoy and thanks for visiting! Help! My mom dresses me funny! Musings on dressing up dogs... I recently took a funny picture of my Chinese Crested boy, Voodoo wearing doggles and a leather bow I made.
I made the caption "Does your mom dress you funny?"
I have to admit, I was in a way making fun of MYSELF.
Yes, I do sometimes dress them funny, but I really do try to make them more hip and cool than silly. That is, after all why I started making my own accessories for them. I got tired of all the cutesy things and accessories that made my dogs look like froufrou little stuffed animals that a little girl dressed up for a tea party.
For the record, I love tea. I love stuffed animals, and I am, at least on the inside, still a little girl who likes dressing them up. But I do try to keep some sort of dignity instilled in my dogs. Yes, it sounds silly- they probably don't know or might not care, but I really feel like they feel the energy coming at them from the outside world. That's ONE of the many reasons I'm so ANTI "ugly dog contests" ...but that's a whole other module rant. Let me just say, I think they know when they're being mocked or made fun of. I don't like it when I feel that way, and I'm sure you don't either. I try not to make my dogs feel that way, even if they don't understand emotional concepts likeke "hurt feelings". They DO feel the energy coming at them, from another person, another dog. Why do you think the Dog Whisperer is so successful? He focuses on ENERGY, not emotion. In fact, in communicating with dogs, he's somewhat UNemotional. But I digress...
I guess my point here is when you accessorize your dogs, think of how they feel, how the things you put on them make them feel. I'm not telling you to deeply consider the depths of their hearts. (that's a joke). I'm just saying: Think of the energy you are creating by accessorizing or dressing up your dog. Does it make BOTH of you happy? Are you having fun, laughing, playing? Is it all about a good time? Then great, enjoy it! But if you are dressing up your dog to make yourSELF feel something, but your dog is miserable, do me a favor, give em' a break, or find something to put on them that makes you BOTH happy. If you can't find something like that, ask me! I might be able to steer you in the right direction.
P.S. tip of the day: if your dog seems to HATE t-shirts, try a SLEEVELESS tee instead. I've found that two of my boy dogs can't stand little t-shirts, but what they really loathe is sleeves, not the shirt itself. Voodoo isn't crazy about sleeved tees, but if I put his 'wife-beater' tee on him that says "I only bite ugly people" he seems very content and comfortable. :) Try it! Your dog who seems to hate tees or clothing might just be bothered by that 'sleeve' feeling on their legs and joints (armpit area), especially if it's a little snug. Accessorize safely if you love your furry friend.Please ACCESSORIZE SAFELY. Although they make LOOK cool, barrettes, bows and necklaces can be choking hazards. How in the world do you get barrettes to stay in that hair?! I've been asked this more than anything else, so here goes! Let's do this step by step:
1. don't try to do this when your dog has just awoke from a long nap or full night's sleep...that's my first, best advice! it's so much easier if they're about to nap or fall asleep, or if they've just eaten and have happy, full tummies. It also helps to be in a quiet place, away from windows. You might want to go in the bathroom, put down the seat of the toilet, and have them just sit in your lap. (be sure to close the door to prevent escapes and trying to catch them as they run around the house!)
If you have an extra set of hands, i.e. a spouse, friend, roommate, that helps! One person can hold the dog in their lap while you do all the "work".
Be sure you have a brush (bristle is best), your no-pull/no breakage band if using one-which I highly recommend for dogs with fine or thin hair, esp. Cresteds who are true hairlesses-and your hair clip or barrette handy. You don't want to be trying to hold a dog, reach for things and put them in all at once. Keep it organized and it'll help a TON.
2. Your state of mind is also really important! If you go into doing this with a frustrated, flustered state of mind, it'll be harder to do. Think ZEN! If you're calm and relaxed, that energy will soothe your dog and make it easier for both of you. You want accessorizing to be a PLEASANT experience, not one that you both loathe and don't look forward to.
3. So you're ready, you're organized, you're calm? Your dog is relaxed, tired, full? Maybe knows a good down or sit-stay? (lol)
4. First, give a good brush out. Do NOT do this on wet hair, as more breakage occurs when you brush/comb wet hair than dry. For toy dog owners with dogs that have hair that's prone to breakage (cresteds, yorkies) this is especially important. I ONLY use a pick to untangle Aurora's hair (my white crested in the pics) when it's wet. I try to avoid brushing when her hair is wet. To work out tangles, start at the ENDS of the hair and work your way up the hair shaft. Do NOT pull from the scalp down, most of the time you'll just make the tangle or knot worse and it'll turn into a big mess.
5. Optional step for A.) dogs with very thin or fine hair or B.)those who want to really INSURE that the clip stays in.
This is your 'topknot' step. :) The best way to do a topknot pigtail is to section out a not too big, not too small section of hair on the front/top of the head. If the pigtail is too big, it really won't hold, and if it's too small, the band will either slip out or you'll have to put it in so tight the dog will be very uncomfortable. You want COMFORT and style...not one or the other :) NOTE: if your dog all the sudden looks like a PUG, the band is too tight! We're doing a topknot here, not a doggie facelift.
The way I do it is to take a small triangular section of hair from the front to just between the ears. That's usually a nice size, and a pigtail fits nicely there for most dogs. If you want to, you can backcomb or backbrush the pigtail section a bit to add some more hold before you put in the band. I also twist the pigtail a bit to catch all those tiny little flyaway hairs in the band.
6. Once the band is in, you can slide in the barrette or clip just in front of and kind of "under" the band. If using a plastic band, it works best if you do NOT clip the band in the barrette. Just clip the hair on the head in front of the band in the barrette. If using an alligator/metal clip, same thing. If you clip a band in a metal alligator clip, it could potentially break the band, then you have to start all over again. No fun!
7. Another optional step: if you are going somewhere fancy, to a red carpet event say...or getting photos taken, you may want to shield the dog's eyes and give that 'do a spritz of hairspray. Be VERY careful to not get the spray in the dog's eyes or nose, obviously! Move QUICKLY and don't blast it with spray. Just misting is fine!
8. Last but most importantly:
Please ACCESSORIZE SAFELY. Although they make LOOK cool, barrettes, bows and necklaces can be choking hazards.
They are not for long-term, unsupervised or constant use. I consider my pieces I've created "wearable art for dogs". If you approach accessorizing your dog that way, your fashionable friend will be safe and look great all at the same time.
Now get out there and show off your doggie's style!
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