If you attended Christmas on Mercer in December, Karlie Waldrip might look familiar to you – she was there with her dog, Rhett, promoting her two children’s books – “I Deafinitely Can, Rhett the Heeler” and “We Deafinitely Can, Let the Adventures Begin.” Waldrip was born deaf, and she adopted Rhett, who is also deaf, in 2018. We caught up with Waldrip to learn more about her, Rhett, and her books.
What inspired you to tell these stories from your dog’s point of view?
Waldrip: I was inspired by several things. First, I wanted deaf and hard-of-hearing children to see themselves represented in the books they read, while also giving hearing children a fun, educational way to learn about deafness. I taught deaf education for four years and often wished there were more children’s books written by deaf authors that reflected my students’ experiences.
I also wanted to give deaf dogs a voice. Deaf dogs are often overlooked in shelters and rescues because they are seen as “less able,” when the opposite is true. Deaf dogs — and dogs with other disabilities — are just as capable as any other dog. That message closely mirrors the experiences of children with hearing loss or disabilities, and telling the story through a dog’s perspective makes it approachable, relatable, and meaningful for young readers.
How did your own experiences shape the stories?
Waldrip: As an author who was born deaf, I am deeply grateful for the village that helped raise me into who I am today. Growing up, I struggled to accept my deafness. I was often left out of conversations and felt frustrated when I couldn’t keep up. During that time, our family dog, Angel, became my best friend. I took her everywhere, and she was my comfort when I felt discouraged, lonely, or overwhelmed. Because of that bond, I knew that when I got my first job, I wanted to adopt a deaf dog — just like me.
After my first-year teaching deaf education, I adopted Rhett from a small rural shelter in Gonzales, Texas. Rhett and I went on countless adventures together and quickly realized how much we loved educating others and showing that we “deaf-initely can” do anything we set our minds to.
Friends encouraged us to share our story, and eventually I published my first children’s book, “I Deafinitely Can, Rhett the Heeler.” In 2024, I followed it with “We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin.” My goal with both books is to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing children while helping hearing children learn about deafness in a fun and positive way.
Both you and your illustrator are deaf. How did that shared experience influence the final look and feel of the books?
Waldrip: My illustrator, Lucy Rogers, is also deaf, and that shared experience was incredibly important to me. As a deaf author, I wanted to work with a deaf illustrator who truly understood my vision and the message behind the story.
Having a deaf author, deaf illustrator, and deaf characters allowed us to create something authentic. Lucy was able to thoughtfully illustrate sign language throughout the books, including the signs I use with Rhett, which adds another meaningful layer of representation and connection for readers.
What do you hope your readers take away from your books?
Waldrip: I hope every reader learns something new or finds a part of themselves they can relate to while reading. Most of all, I want the books to teach inclusion and representation in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way.
What has the response been like from young readers and families since the books were released?
Waldrip: The response has been incredibly positive. We’ve received wonderful feedback from parents, teachers, schools, libraries, and — most importantly — kids who truly connect with the stories. I’ve traveled across the country for in-person author visits and have also hosted virtual author visits with schools as far away as Germany and New Zealand. I never expected the books to reach readers all over the world, and it has been incredibly humbling.
Is there anything else you’d like Dripping Springs area readers to know about you or your books?
Waldrip: Our books are designed for everyone — schools, libraries, homes, waiting rooms, and anywhere children gather. We hope our story inspires readers to be inclusive of friends with disabilities and helps deaf and hard-of-hearing children feel seen and understood. Readers can follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram at @rhett_the_heeler and learn more at w w w . r h e t t t h e heeler.com.
