A deaf Staffie at a rescue centre in Kensal Green has finally been adopted by a firefighter after picking up sign language

Two-year-old Gordon was found abandoned, scared and confused on the streets of Brent last November by members of The Mayhew Animal Home, in Trenmar Gardens.

Staff at the charity noticed that when they went into his kennel in the morning he wouldn’t wake up as he didn’t hear them come in. The Staffie would only open his eyes when stroked and it was only after a thorough assessment with vets he was diagnosed as completely deaf.

But Gordon quickly picked up commands by body language, hand signals and reading faces. He has been taught to sit, stand, put his paw out and stay, how to rollover and get down on the floor.

Staff said the training made him more focused, less frustrated and he found it easier to bond with people, including his new owners.

Richard Neenan, 31, said it was love at first sight when he and his girlfriend clapped eyes on the dog: “My girlfriend, Josanne, was browsing The Mayhew’s website and saw Gordon being taught sign language on a special pets video by London Live television. She took one look at him and decided she wanted him. We had a Staffie before with health problems, who sadly died, and we really wanted to help another special pet.

“He’s already very attached to us and settled in so well. We’ve got a garden and a huge golf course nearby where he goes for a walk every day. We have a very confident house rabbit and they’ve rubbed noses a few times. He’s a great dog, very clever and full of beans. We don’t notice he’s deaf and we’re keeping up the sign language.

Lisa Guiney, dog adoption officer at the rescue centre, said: “All The Mayhew staff were clapping and cheering when we heard the news. There wasn’t a dry eye in the home.

“We can only guess he was overlooked because he’s deaf and there are lots of Staffies out there for people to choose from and they’ve got a bad reputation, which is so unfair.

“I’ve never seen such a fantastic reaction to an adoption before. We have all waited so long for this moment and it couldn’t happen to a nicer dog. Despite his deafness he is the most confident, active and clever dog who really deserved his second chance after being here for so long.”