An Unlikely Superhero

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some, like Cole, a deaf Pitbull, have four legs, a wagging tail, and an incredible ability to reach people.

Housed at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter, Cole was passed up by countless families before being adopted by schoolteacher Chris Hannah. Bringing him home, Hannah found himself amazed by the deaf pup’s keen ability to learn sign language.

“The day after I met Cole at the shelter, I put his photo on the screen saver of my large whiteboard,” says Hannah.  The students immediately began asking questions about the little deaf puppy, about disabilities, and about being born different from the other dogs.

“As an educator, you live for those moments when you see barriers coming down and students’ hearts begin to open,” says Hannah. “I knew training him to become a therapy dog was the perfect decision.”

Cole now works alongside his music-teacher dad at Dr. William Mennies Elementary School in Vineland, NJ, spreading the message that a disability is not an inability, it’s a superpower.

“Cole has taught children that it is okay to be different, helped students recover courage and self-respect, and inspired acts of kindness throughout the community.”

As Cole’s story made national news, the duo began to present to school assemblies all over the Tri-State area, helping students to share their similarities and celebrate their differences.

Outside of the classroom, Cole quickly became a favourite among the residents of the NJ Veterans Memorial Home, who named him their official mascot. The pair also launched a Kindness Tour, visiting care facilities to bring joy and hope during the Covid-19 pandemic. And Cole became a hospice therapy dog. Along the way, their story reached yet more people via coverage on the Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and more.  Cole was even named the 2023 ASPCA Dog of the Year.

“Cole is not just a deaf shelter Pitbull, he is a movement for inclusion and advocacy,” says Hannah. “This journey has been one of destiny. We never imagined how life would change after adopting this gangly-legged, giant-eared, silly, and lovable deaf puppy.”

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!

Benji Returns

If you missed the 1974 Benji, the beloved flick is back and it’s still a family affair. The heartwarming retelling is a Netflix original picture directed by Brandon Camp, whose father helmed the heartstring-tugging classic that became an unlikely box office sensation.  

This generation’s Benji is no less winning. It’s a tale of a young boy and his sister who befriend a scruffy stray who saves the day and helps heal their family. This is a real tear-jerker so you might want to shield your pup’s eyes when the widowed mum tells her children they can’t keep Benji. They tearfully put the pup back out on the street rather than let their mother take him to a kill shelter. But rest assured kids, it all ends well. When danger befalls the children, heroic Benji and his canine friend come to their rescue.

The Story Behind Santa’s Dogs

Over the years, author JoAnn Sky and her husband have had the pleasure of welcoming six (so far) older shelter dogs into their family. SANTA’S DOG was inspired by their first rescue dog, Sampson. When JoAnn’s husband was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, she had a difficult time sleeping in the two-story house they had just moved into prior to her husband’s deployment. So, she decided to adopt a dog to keep her company!  She went to the shelter and saw this mostly black, older mixed-breed dog (part husky, part angel). He was sharing a “cell” with a little shepherd puppy.  Everyone was oohing and aahhing over this puppy, but when JoAnn went up to the fence, she saw that the older dog, Sampson, was sitting there so regally and letting the puppy climb on him and chew on his paws. Sampson was looking down at that pup as if to say, “I could smash you if I want to, but just play; neither of us belong here.” Then when JoAnn spoke to Sampson, he leaned against the fence really calm-like and let her pet him. (This later became the standard for all other shelter dogs that they’ve adopted. They call is the “Sampson test.”) As she petted Sampson, she remembers thinking, “What is wrong with all of these people? Sure, the pup is cute, but THIS dog is the cool one.” So, she decided to adopt him. 

The shelter told her that Sampson was three years old, though she suspected he might have been a bit older because he was so laid back. Except when he needed to be fierce, because he was a superb watchdog. He kept her safe while her husband was away. Sampson became her constant companion. Friends would invite her over, and she’d ask, “Can I bring my dog?” They traveled as a pair that year. And when her husband returned, Sampson was there to welcome him home. It’s like Sampson knew what was going on; he naturally adjusted to JoAnn’s husband. Sampson was the absolute Best. Dog. Ever.

It was after JoAnn’s husband returned home that she realized Sampson always took a while to come when she called him. She decided there must be something wrong with his hearing and took Sampson to the vet (what other reason could there possibly befor a dog not to listen, right?) The vet (thought she was crazy) very kindly explained that Sampson was a “northern breed” dog, and that his behavior was typical of a northern breed — that they do things on their own time (including, apparently, coming when called). JoAnn shared this information with her husband when she got home, and he replied, “Northern dog? Maybe he’s Santa’s dog and got lost from the North Pole!”  

That evening over a glass of wine, JoAnn and her husband plotted out the storyline of a dog who got lost from Santa, ended up with a military family, and then had to decide whether to stay with the family or return to the North Pole with Santa.  For the next decade, JoAnn kept telling herself that she would someday write that story. She finally did, and SANTA’S DOG is the result. She is very excited to finally share this story! If you love dogs, if you have family in the military, or if you believe in Santa, you will be touched by this book.

About SANTA’S DOG: SANTA’S DOG is a heartwarming tale for youngsters and the young-at-heart. In this rhyming story, readers follow the adventures of Santa’s best dog, Lance, when he falls out of the sleigh one Christmas Eve. He’s taken in by the animal shelter and then brought home by a military family who needs some help as Dad is called to serve his country. When Christmas Eve comes ‘round the next year, Lance must decide whether to return to the North Pole with his friend Santa or stay with his new family. 

SANTA’S DOG can be purchased directly from the Dogs & Books website: https://www.dogsandbooks.com/shop.