Myra Ellis
Maryland, USA
Myra was one of our Founding Board Members, and served as Treasurer from 2006 until the end of her term in 2009.
Both my life and my work with deaf dogs have kept me very busy of late. I am currently a non-traditional college student, going back to school to study radiological technology (to be an X-ray tech). I have also achieved the Divemaster rank in scuba diving (just need to finish my application for Assistant Instructor), and can be found in the water whenever money and time (and the dogs) allow.
I am a former puppy class/obedience instructor. All of my dogs have earned their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificates by the age of 2 years. I have competed in fun events such as costume contests (we always win something!) I've done pet therapy with my dogs, and taught elementary school children responsible pet ownership and animal bite prevention. Although I am not a formal part of any rescue organization, I've volunteered as much as I've been able (usually home visits, occasional transports and answering training/behavioral questions).
My first deaf dog was my first dog as an adult. Whisper was a deaf Dalmatian that was being passed over for adoption, in a local "dog pound," simply because he was deaf. I heard of the situation and next thing you know I was the proud, yet clueless, mom to a 6 month old Dalmatian puppy. As a kid my parents had attended to much of the care of the family dogs and I had taken care of playing with them! I knew very little about raising a dog myself. I knew nothing of raising a Dalmatian. But I was absolutely sure that raising a dog that was deaf could be done.
As such, I was introduced to the world of deaf dogs fairly early. I'm sure you've heard about the book with the title like "All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten"? Well, for me the statement is "All I needed to know I learned from, or with, Whisper." We set off together to learn what we needed and we also had a blast along the way! Tragically, Whisper left us a few short years later. After grieveing over Whisper, I went looking for another dog to "rescue." I found that deaf dogs often were up for adoption longer than their hearing counterparts. How can that be, I questioned? That was when I vowed to always have a deaf dog in my life and help any and all who are willing to help or share their lives with them.
I joined the deaf dogs list in 1999, and became very active in deaf dog related events. I also helped establish the DeafDalmatians list and co-founded the ddblab list (for those of us on the deafdogs list who just can't stay on topic).
I am also quite proud to be one of the original people that helped institute and coordinate what is now know as regional "deaf dog picnics." Our local events grew from a small "meet and greet" into an event that drew TV and print media press coverage to many people in the community - to bring to light the plight of deaf dogs and show that they do indeed make great pets! I was one of the coordinators, or hosts, for several more of these regional picnics. I even hosted one such event that was attended by people from at least 4 different states, with several of those attendees staying with their deaf dogs in my own small home!
I am currently owned by Gypsy, a deaf Dalmatian and Samson, a long-coated Akita that is now developing age-related deafness. I am the former mom to Willow and Promise, two deaf Dals who stayed in Florida with my exhusband when I moved 'up north' 4 years ago.
