Today, we came together to give those poor critters in Animal Control their shot in the sun and their moment to shine.
One of the people who came in to the store, on their normal shopping runs and saw the dogs by chance, told me they were surprised by the dogs. "I expected a batch of train wrecks", he said to me.
I couldn't help but to ask him why he thought that.
"Well, they were strays, thrown away....". He seemed to run out of steam, sort of realizing what he was saying. But, he did sort of have a point, even if he was crass enough to voice it. These were dogs no one wanted.
We had a group of great dogs! I would have been proud to have any of these animals! The dog I was handling today was a pit bull mix. She wanted so much to play. I think she was a bit ticked at me that I wouldn't put her with the other dogs. She knew how to sit and stay, she walked great on the leash - just needed a few reminders about not pulling.
At the end of the day, five of the dogs had to go back to the Animal Control. The dogs had a great time, saw lots of new people, got treats and scratches. I was sad to see them have to go back, but I was glad that two found homes.
I told that man, who was so surprised that these are just dogs: "All a dog wants is to be loved and to love".
Interesting thing: I realized that the way people view dogs is a lot like the way they view people, too.
6 comments:
Amen Randy Amen.
Thank you very, very much for the wonderful work your doing!
Hugs
OMG that photo is sooooo awesome!!! How can I get that dog?
I know how you feel about adoptions. My last 2 dogs were rescues. They were the best dogs anyone could ever want. They were, to put is lightly, TRAIN WRECKS! Puppies abandoned for who knows what reasons.
You're right. People tend to view people and dogs in the same light. How sad is that? Dog training isn't that tough. Watch Cesar Milan for tips!
Peace >3
Jay
Hi Scottie;
I'm having a lot of fun, and I'm learning a lot, too. I always had a fear of Pitts. Came from a bad experience when I was younger.
Want to know something crazy? Most pitts are great dogs. Friendly, cuddly, playful.
And, you get no where with a dog if you give commands in a soft voice. You say something, say it like you mean it.
All sort of translates a bit.
hugs;
randy
Hi Jay;
Isn't that a great pic!
I've learned so much from working with the dogs. They treat people like the person treats them. How cool is that.
I've watched a few trainers. I'm hoping to get more training soon.
Hugs
randy
I learned to train dogs from my mother who helped her sister raise show dogs as a young girl. So I just emulated what she did (though with Bullwinkle I added crate training, what a HUGE difference that makes!). Then I discovered Cesar and was surprised at how much I'd already done mimicked his methods...distraction, calm mindset, being alpha all the time, taming excitement when it needed to be tamed...lots of stuff. My dogs weren't "perfect" but my jove they were pretty darn close!
Just out of curiousity, where are you located (in general)?
Jay
Hi Jay;
I'm in Michigan. Which, unfortunately, is a long way from the blogger get together.
I'd hoped to have a moment to write, but things seem to be in that hectic mode again - you know how it is when things are slow for a long time, then everything seems to pack on at once? Well, there am I.
Right now it's colder than.... well, cold. About 14 degrees and a lot of wind. Even the dog didn't want to play outside.
Hugs;
randy
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