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SPEAK UP, I CAN'T HEAR YOU
Hi
my name is Mickey and I have lived with Golden
Retrievers all my life. Don’t tell Harley but Charley
was my favorite because he raised me and let me play
with him and win. You see I am a small 16 yearish old
cocker spaniel, doxie mix and my hearing is starting to
go. It is a common thing to happen for dogs and humans
when they age. The difference is humans will go, what
did you say and make the person repeat themselves but us
dogs do not have that ability. Trust me, we are not
getting more stubborn with age and we are not ignoring
you. We are not getting grumpier when you bump us when
we are sleeping, you just startled us. We may know we
have hearing loss before you because we compensate for
it with other senses so you humans need to pay
attention. So if we start showing signs like ignoring
you when you call, startling when touched, sleeping more
soundly or barking at familiar noises then it is
probably hearing loss. First thing is have the vet check
us out for an ear infection that could be causing
problems. If it is just part of the aging process be
patient with us and try these things that my Mom and Dad
do. They make sure I am looking and then make big hand
gestures to call me. They stomp their feet next to me
when I am sleeping so I feel the vibration before they
touch me. And most importantly they keep me on leash
when I am out walking because I could not hear them if
they tried to call me away from danger. So please be
patient with us and keep us safe.
Mickey |
