A man born deaf adopted a puppy who is also deaf in a story "with an absolute fairy tale ending."

Nick Abbott, 31, told WABI-5 that he saw a Facebook post about Emerson from NFR Maine, a foster-based dog rescue.

"I said, 'Oh, he's deaf, too,'" Abbott told the TV station. "Maybe I can go check him out to see what he's all about."

Emerson was rescued from Florida when he was 6 weeks old. He had experienced seizures and was infected with canine parvovirus, a contagious virus affecting dogs that can be fatal if left untreated.

"Once we got him home from the vet's office from Florida, we realized he had hearing difficulties," Lindsay Powers with NFR Maine told Good Morning America on Tuesday. "He had such a rough start to life."

Cute alert:Blind dog gets his own 'seeing eye' dog. Excuse us, we can't see through happy tears

All of Emerson's siblings were adopted quickly, but "our sweet boy Emerson" was still looking for a home, the dog rescue group said in its Facebook post.

"He wants everyone to know that even though he may be deaf, he is still an AMAZING little pup with SOO much love to give!"

When Abbott first visited Emerson, the dog came right to him and sat at his feet, Abbott told WABI-5.

"He kind of picked me. And I knew right then and there that we would get along and understand each other pretty good," he said.

Americans loves labs:They're the top dog breed for the 28th year in a row, says AKC

Since then, Abbott has been teaching Emerson sign language commands.

The letter S is "sit," and sweeping his hand across in a straight line is "lie down," WABI-5 reported.

"If Nick reaches up and shakes his ear lobe, Emerson will bark – it's so cute," Abbott's mom, Richelle, told Good Morning America.

"The bond that we have is awesome," Abbott told WABI-5. "We understand each other very well. I'd like to think it was meant to be. He's special."

Tail-wagging saga:Michigan man adopts wayward Florida puppy that was rejected by owner

Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller