Led by compassion: Angelyne the Amazing Deaf Cattle Dog

Many dogs can balance a treat on their nose, waiting for the command that sets off a lightning-quick snap of the snout to seize the prize in midair.

Angelyne, an Australian cattle dog, can perform that trick, but the command she patiently and intently awaits comes only in the form of a hand signal.

Angelyne is deaf, and she’s known as Angelyne the Amazing Deaf Cattle Dog.

Eric Melvin, 39, of Dillion and Angelyne give presentations to various groups with a focus on compassion, overcoming adversity, service, perseverance, purpose and patience.

On Monday, the canny canine performed her magical tricks for a group of seniors, developmentally disabled adults and preschoolers at the Seniors’ Resource Center in Evergreen.

Melvin told the group Angelyne’s story, from a puppyhood with an uncertain future to a life filled with purpose — for both of them.

Angelyne, named after a melancholy song by the Jayhawks, came into Melvin’s world when she was a fluff-ball pup.

“I think I can see things other people don’t and, to me, she was the most beautiful puppy,” Melvin said. “She was independent and loving, and she needed a bond with a human being.”

Soon, Angelyne was in her new home with hours of love and miles of walks ahead of her, and Melvin wanted to get her off on the right paw with a puppy-kindergarten class. During the class, both Melvin and the teacher noticed that Angelyne wasn’t responding as the other puppies did. Something was amiss.

A trip to the veterinarian confirmed that she was born deaf.

“My first reaction was, ‘Show me. How can we know for sure?’ ” Melvin said. “I was sad; I had no idea what I was going to do. I have no idea how this would affect my life and what decision I would make.”

Melvin said that many deaf dogs are thought to be untrainable and dangerous.

“A lot of special-needs dogs don’t get good lives,” he said.

Special-needs dogs often end up in shelters and are sometimes mistreated and misunderstood. Many end up in a vicious cycle of adoption, surrender and eventual destruction.

Instead of getting rid of Angelyne, Melvin chose to train her, not knowing she would change his life — not because of her deafness but because of her devotion to him. He said he couldn’t give up on his deaf puppy and was determined to find a way to help her get along in the world.

There is no Bible for how to train a deaf dog. … There’s no book like ‘American Sign Language for Animals,’ ” Melvin said.

Melvin developed a simple training method and reward system for her, and the pair trained for three hours each day. Now with a repertoire of 40 different hand commands, Angelyne executes basic instructions and a series of sophisticated tricks, including jumping through hoops, giving kisses, leaping into Melvin’s arms, performing magic tricks and responding to commands with a flashlight, all with an enthusiastic focus.

“Once she learned the commands, she picked them up pretty fast,” Melvin said.

During Angelyne’s performance, Melvin allows audience members to help by holding hoops for Angelyne to fly through or positioning her so they can pet her bristly coat.

“I try to be an inspiration and an educator for people,” he said.

Joan Wilson, site supervisor for the Seniors’ Resource Center’s extension services, said she agreed that Angelyne and Melvin embody hope, education and inspiration.

Wilson said Angelyne’s presentation was one of the best events so far and that the program’s participants gravitate toward animals. Angelyne was special in part because she faces challenges, too.

“Whatever the challenge, you can overcome it,” Wilson said. “If she can, we all can.”

Melvin said he hoped that he and Angelyne show people how to look past boundaries and see beyond expectations.

Melvin credits Angelyne for helping him learn how to overcome his struggles in learning to live with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, a condition he’s had since he was 14.

When it comes to Melvin and Angelyne, it can be hard to tell who leads and who follows.

“She taught me how to be a teacher and how to be patient, be more loving, kind and generous, and more focused on what’s going on in the moment,” Melvin said.

For more information about Angelyne or to contact Melvin about a presentation, visit www.amazingangelyne.com

This story ran in the July 21, 2010 edition of the Canyon Courier and the July 28, 2010 edition of the High Timber Times