Meet Watson 🤍
 
Watson has two settings:
“HEY! ARE YOU THERE?!” 📣
and
“Oh good, you're sitting down. I will now be in your lap.”
 
Watson was born in May 2026 and came to NTASR with his siblings, Irene and Sherlock. They are all double merle Aussies, the result of breeding two merle dogs together. Double merle puppies can be born with significant vision and hearing impairments, and far too often they are abandoned or discarded because of disabilities they never asked for.
We weren't going to let that happen to these three.
 
Watson is deaf and visually impaired. He can see well enough to navigate his immediate surroundings, play, and get into all the usual puppy shenanigans, but his vision is limited at a distance. Because he can't always tell where his people are, he's also developed a very effective communication system:
 
BARK BARK BARK.
Translation: Hello? Human? I know you're around here somewhere. Please report to Watson immediately.
😂
 
But the second you sit down beside him or pick him up? Silence.
Because Watson is actually a total cuddlebug. He's got an incredibly soft, fluffy coat and absolutely loves being close to his people. He'll happily play with the other dogs, but cuddling with his human is where he really shines.
 
He's fantastic with dogs of all sizes and fully expects every dog he meets to be his new best friend. He's still learning that not everyone wants to share their food, so his future family will need to help him learn those boundaries.
 
Watson does great with puppy baths, is doing well with potty time outside, and is ready to keep learning.
 
Because of his vision and hearing differences, Watson will need an experienced, patient adopter who is willing to get creative with communication. Touch cues, hand signals, consistent routines, and positive reinforcement will help him understand his world and build confidence.
 
He may need you to communicate with him a little differently.
But he has absolutely no trouble communicating with you.
 
Watson has a lot to say, a whole lot of love to give, and approximately zero interest in personal space when you're sitting down. 🤍🐾