When you want to get your dog’s attention, you probably call their name or make a happy sound.
But for Bruno, a deaf rescue dog from England, it’s all about the signs.
This lovable pup, who communicates with his owners through British Sign Language (BSL), has an absolutely heartwarming reaction when he sees the sign for “walk.”
A viral video shared by his owners, Skye and Daniel Tibbetts, captures the pure joy on his face as he barks and wags his tail with unstoppable enthusiasm.
Bruno wasn’t always this happy.
He was found abandoned on the streets of Spain and eventually adopted by the Tibbettses.
At first, they didn’t know he was deaf.
After a few days of trying to get his attention by speaking to him in both English and Spanish, a trip to the vet confirmed that Bruno couldn’t hear.
While they don’t know for sure if he was born deaf, they do know he had a severe ear infection when he was found, which might have caused his hearing loss.
The Tibbettses, who were already familiar with BSL because Daniel’s parents are deaf, knew exactly how to help their new family member.
They decided to teach Bruno sign language, and he caught on incredibly fast.
With the help of some tasty treats, Bruno quickly mastered a series of signs.
Beyond just “walk,” he understands commands for “give paw,” “stay,” “lie down,” “up,” “roll over,” “spin,” and “play dead.”
His focus and intelligence were clear, proving that his early behavioral issues weren’t a sign of an “untrainable dog,” but a reflection of his past trauma.
Skye shared that in the beginning, Bruno was protective of his food and would even growl and knock over bins.
He wasn’t a bad dog; he was a scared one who had never felt safe.
With patience and a stable home, his true, loving personality emerged. Today, Bruno is a “loving, goofy boy” who seeks affection from everyone he meets.
His reliance on touch and eye contact has made him even more affectionate, and his playful spirit shines through in everything he does.
While he loves the sign for “walk,” his owners admit that Bruno sometimes gets more excited about getting ready for an outing than the walk itself.
He especially loves day trips to Wales, where he’ll walk for miles, but on other days, he might just decide he wants to head back to the couch for a nap.
Bruno’s story is a beautiful reminder that every dog, regardless of their challenges, can thrive with a little patience and a lot of love.
He gave his owners the same commitment they showed him, standing by them through life’s biggest moments, including serving as the ring bearer at their wedding.
Bruno’s journey from a scared stray to a cherished family member shows that the most profound connections are often not spoken, but felt.
