TYLER, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) – A deaf woman in Texas traveled thousands of miles to adopt a couple of puppies – who are also deaf.

Nozomi Tomika said she wanted to provide the puppies with a home where they will be fully understood.

“They are precious. They are just deaf, and deaf dogs’ lives matter as well,” Tomika said.

Tomika and her family are completely deaf. After they grieved the loss of their 19-year-old blind and deaf dog, they decided it was time to open their hearts to a new furry friend who experiences the world in the same way.

The puppies, named Anjali and Amiya, were picked up by Smith County Animal Control at the beginning of June.

Deaf woman travels nearly 2000 miles to adopt 2 deaf puppies in Tyler (KLTV/KTRE)

According to Amber Greene, the Supervisor at Smith County Animal Shelter, it did not take them long to figure out that both pups were deaf.

“We brought them into the lobby area with the squeaky toys, trying to get their attention, and it was nothing,” Greene said.

The shelter shared photos of the puppies in deaf dog groups online, where it was later shared to Deaf Dogs Rock, an organization that shares adoptable deaf dogs nationwide.

That was where Tomika discovered the puppies. From that moment, she said she knew it was meant to be and made arrangements for her journey.

Pawsitive Place Rescue, an East Texas animal rescue, organized the transportation for Tomika to come to Texas and to bring home her new furry friends. Pawsitive Place Rescue also gathered local partners to send home gifts and supplies for the deaf pups and their new owners.

“Deaf dogs are perfect for us. I am excited to teach them to communicate with us,” Tomika said.

Tomika plans to teach not only American Sign Language, but also Japanese Sign Language to communicate with the pups.

Tomika and her new companions are now preparing for a long drive back to Massachusetts, where a new life and a lot of love await them.

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