For Bruno, the promise of a walk isn’t heard — it’s seen. The instant his dad, Daniel Tibbetts, signs “walk” in British Sign Language, the deaf pup explodes into pure joy: tail wagging like a metronome, paws skittering across the floor, eyes shining with excitement.

Bruno’s enthusiasm is so big it sometimes outpaces the walk itself. “He often gets more excited about getting ready than actually going,” laughs Skye, his mom. Halfway through an outing, he might pause, turn around, and head back to his favorite spot on the sofa.

When the couple adopted Bruno, they didn’t realize he couldn’t hear. Rescued from the streets of Spain, he didn’t respond to their voices — not even when they tried speaking Spanish. A vet visit revealed the truth: Bruno was deaf, possibly from birth, and battling a severe ear infection.

But where others might have seen a limitation, Skye and Daniel saw a chance to connect differently. Both already fluent in sign language — Daniel’s parents are deaf — they began teaching Bruno. With patience, treats, and his boundless appetite for learning, he mastered signs for “give paw,” “stay,” “lie down,” “roll over,” “spin,” “play dead,” and more within months.

Today, Bruno thrives on touch and eye contact, seeking affection with a goofy, clumsy sweetness. But it wasn’t always this way. In his early days, he guarded his food and knocked over bins, uncertain if he could trust his new home. “He just needed patience and safety,” says Skye. “Once he had that, we met his real, loving personality.”

Now, Bruno is woven into the fabric of their lives. He’s stood with them through milestones, even trotting down the aisle as the ring bearer at their wedding.

“Bruno isn’t just our dog — he’s family,” says Skye. “Everyone should know the loyalty and love a good dog can give.”