By Pat Dobbs
When the story of the lost mini dachshund broke the news, it immediately caught my attention. After all, I too have a mini dachshund. The dog’s owners were camping on Kangaroo Island, a remote island in southern Australia, when Valerie, their dog, ran away from their campsite.
Despite searching for days, together with help from members of the community,Valerie’s heartbroken family eventually returned home to mainland Australia, empty handed.
They hoped and prayed that there would be a sighting of Valerie. But there was nothing.
Until more than a year later, a farmer on Kangaroo Island snapped a photo of a tiny dog running through the fields. They didn’t think it was possible that a 10-pound dog could survive in those harsh conditions but her family immediately knew it was Valerie.
They thought Valerie would be thrilled to be found and joyfully run into the arms of helpful humans, trained wildlife rescuers. But try as they did, the little dog evaded them.
After 529 days, they finally caught her. Would she be happy being reunited with her family rather than enjoying the freedom and solitary life of living in the Outback?
As soon as she saw her family, she immediately climbed into their laps and fell into a contented sleep. So yes, she happily settled in with them. Of course that included cuddling in bed, her favorite.
Valerie at home with her family. Credit: Kangala Wildlife Center and Georgia Gardner via NPR
So why did I want to share this story on Hearing Health Foundation’s website?
Dogs, like human beings, need social interaction and the company of others. Maybe not all the time, but we’re not meant to be totally solitary. Why else would Valerie give up her freedom to go back with her family?
That’s important for people with hearing loss to remember. We may not want company all the time, but we are social animals and need the company of others.
Hearing loss is a communication disorder, so there’s no doubt that it can be challenging. But communication is what defines us as being human. While many creatures communicate, humans build connection, culture, and meaning through language—making communication a core part of our humanity.
I know it can be hard getting hearing equipment that helps us hear better, especially for noisy environments. To be honest, sometimes noisy environments make me just want to lock myself in my room and never come out.
In addition, it can be a pain advocating for ourselves so we can hear, e.g. constantly asking, “please could you talk a little slower?” And what about the stigma associated with hearing loss—that’s another thing to overcome.
But it’s important that we try. We too are pack animals and need the company of other animals like us, other humans! So as challenging as it may be, it’s important that we stay connected.
Thank you, Valerie, for reminding me and making that clear.
Hearing Health magazine writer Pat Dobbs has an adult-onset hearing loss and wears bilateral cochlear implants. The past president of Say What Club, an international online hearing loss support group, she is a resident of Deer Isle, Maine, where she formed the DownEast Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.
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Dogs, like human beings, need social interaction and the company of others. That’s important for people with hearing loss to remember. So as challenging as it may be, it’s important that we stay connected and try to communicate.