Thankful Part II

Today I am thankful for old friends.  My life has changed a lot, I have changed a lot, but you are the people that I'll always carry with me where ever I go.  I'm so glad that we got to spend a couple of hours together and laugh.  I think of you often, I'm sorry for my mistakes (which are many) and I hope it's not years before we get together again.

Thankful

Thanksgiving is coming up, temperatures are dropping, snow is on its way, and I've lost 6 pounds.  I don't always spend enough time thinking about all the good things in my life, I've never been an optimist, but lately I can't help but think how lucky I am.  The knowledge that I've gained just because we happened to adopt two dogs with problems has changed my entire life, and while those two problem dogs cause me frustration still on a daily basis, I can't help but be grateful for that.

Bindi was, as I've said so many times before, an impulse and a mistake, but without Bindi there would be no Gus, I would never have worked at a vet clinic, and then there never would have been a Toes, or a Rooney, or a Joba, or a Shy, or a Reggie, or a Jack (the Whippet), or even a Melky, our little monster kitty.  I wouldn't have found my calling in life, I might not have realized just how special dogs really are, and a would still live in a world where punishment was a "first and best" option for every problem I had with people or pets.

I am in so many ways a different person than I was just a few years ago, some good and bad things are still the same, and I know that I've missed some opportunities and screwed some thiings up, but I'm here, and I learn something new every single day.  In the past year I've learned a lot about myself, I've been happier in my marriage, and I've been able to help people and dogs, all because of our first two little dogs, who were in every way a mistake.

So there you go, today I am thankful for my Bindi and my Gus, who have brought me everyday headaches and a lifetime of wonderful.

Isn't he pretty?

Don't you love the new background picture?  Joba is such a beautiful dog, this is from our hike today.

Halloween Puppies!

Gus

Shy

Bindi

Joba

Crazy Life

Life has been busy lately, lots going on at home and at work. I've had the opportunity to do some really cool things, and I've worried a lot, and been very nervous. I'm working on improving my classes, and improving our handling of animals at work, and myself and our family and home in general. The dogs aren't always the priority that they ought to be, and we need to work on that, but they're all great dogs in their own way.


I love our dogs, they've given us so very much, and it all started with a little white puppy who could make sounds like a goat. About three and a half years ago, we stopped to see a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, knowing that in a "No Pets" apartment (where we already had two cats) that taking her wasn't an option. But, we saw her and held her and went on our way. We hadn't gone far, before Brandon turned around, that was it, I was too sad, we were going back and getting her. She was an impulse, we were completely unprepared.

Bindi was a bit past the normal puppy adoption age, and had spent who knows how much of her life living in a cage, but we had no idea that any of that would mean problems for us. We drove her home to meet our families (and do some laundry) which was where we'd been heading in the first place. She did great for the majority of that ride, but threw up on my purse and the floor of the car right as we were pulling into Brandon's Mom's driveway.
She was little and adorable, and everyone loved her, until we took her home to meet the cats. They were understandably freaked, and spent a fair amount of time on top of the fridge. We didn't really do anything to work on that, but with time, Jack learned to love her, and Jill could be tolerant.
Then there was house training...not an easy task in an apartment where you have to sneak the puppy in and out. This was a serious failure! We bought pee pads, we didn't make her sleep in the crate at night because we were so terrified of her making noise, there wasn't really any housetraining to speak of.
We didn't last long, the stress was incredible and though I'd reluctantly mentioned a breed rescue Brandon was already too bonded, too attached, there was no way that puppy was going anywhere, so we moved. We paid a ridiculous amount of money to get out of our lease, and we started apartment hunting back home. This time pet friendly was the only option. We were incredibly lucky to find a little house for rent in a lovely neighborhood, it wasn't too expensive, we'd had privacy, and not only would they allow our little puppy, but the nice couple who became our landlords didn't even require a pet deposit.
We moved in, I started three different jobs before settling in part time at the vet clinic, house training was still a nightmare, we still didn't really know what we were doing, and Bindi had several freedom runs through the neighborhood.
And then came Gus...

Never Shock a Puppy

A campaign to promote awarness of humane alternatives to dog collars designed to hurt, startle, or punish started today and they have an awesome message, I'd encourage everyone to check out the website.  They're also trying to raise money for Humane Society of Boulder's No Choke Challenge which will offer free dog collars and harnesses to people who turn in their choke, prong, or shock collars.

Both are awesome projects, and I'm so glad to see more and more opposition to pain and force based training.  Where we live people are a little behind when it comes to dog training (and a lot of other things too) but almost weekly I have new people enrolling in my training classes, people who are willing and will learn about recognizing communication from their dogs and how to use that information in their training, easy, effective, and humane ways to get their dogs to do the things they want, and the potential negative consequences of training that's all about "dominance" or "letting the dog know what they're doing wrong".

I'm starting to feel more like a cause than a person but I really believe in this stuff, and I think that Never Shock a Puppy really says it all when they say "Learning shouldn't hurt."  We all have the potential to create better lives for our pets and people just by remembering that fear, intimidation, and pain are not the only ways to change behavior, and they're never the best way.

Being Better

On a daily basis I come to the realization that I need to be better at things, at doing things, at sticking with things.  Many of these things relate to the dogs, but really it's life in general.  I also experience daily failure in that I don't do anything about it.  I want a better life, and my dogs deserve one, so here I am again, if I don't make changes today why would I tomorrow?  Everything has to start with now.  Wish me luck world, I'm sure that I'll need your help.

Splash Dogs - And a Few of My Thoughts on the World

Okay, so our first attempt at Splash Dogs wasn't awe inspiring, both dogs need a lot more work on their sit stay in such a distracting environment, and it seems like Joba could use a little more confidence, and Reggie could be more interested in toys.  Out of all the dogs that competed Reggie ended up ranked 58th and Joba 60th (out of 67 competing dogs), but I'm glad that we got out there and did it, and we'll probably try it again, maybe at Soldier Hollow in a couple of weeks and maybe (more likely) not until next year.

They both gave course-a-lure a try too, and that we'll most likely not be trying again.  Both were afraid of the string when they stepped on it and Joba wouldn't go at all after that, Reggie made it up to the tunnel and wouldn't go in.  I of course left my camera in the car, and we have not been able to find any pictures of either dog anywhere else, sad times.

The unfortunate side effect of all this is that getting out at public dog events made me more aware of how many jerks there are in dog sports.  Jerking dogs around on prong and choke collars, pushing them into the pool, beating their wire kennels with sticks when they wouldn't stop barking.  I'm not sure if our dogs were too overwhelmed to notice, or if it would've mattered to them either way, but our dogs usually don't even SEE things like that, it made me think of the "How to Treat Your Dog While at ClickerExpo" statement that I got while I was there.

So that was last week, but this week, I've been more aware of people yelling at, hitting, jerking, and dragging their kids around in public places.  It makes me sad how often our actions are ruled by anger and embarrasment, mine included.  Sure, it is true that how our dogs and children act in public reflects on us, but could that possibly be more important to us, how we THINK people might be percieving us based on our dependents actions, than how we KNOW we're treating them?

I don't believe it's appropriate to hit my dogs, it would be rediculous if I thought that it was okay to hit my children given that fact, should I ever have any I won't be hitting them, and I plan to keep other forms of positive punishment to a minimum as well.  I'm no parent, but being the oldest of four and having lots of cousins to play with and babysit, not to mention the ever increasing number of dogs I get to interact with, I have learned a few things.  I believe boundaries, structure, and consistency are important, but it seems to me that the happiest AND best behaved kids and dogs are those who recieve our patience, time, and teaching, not the ones that live in fear.

Just my thoughts, as usual there is an excellent possiblity that I'm wrong, but I'd rather be wrong and kind, than right and violent.  I love my dogs, I'm glad that I've learned what I've learned, even if it has made my life  a little harder at times, and life in general a little harder to watch.

Joba and Reggie get Ready for Splash Dogs!

Joba and Reggie are getting ready to compete in a Splash Dogs dock diving competition in a couple of weeks.  We don't have anywhere to really practice so it seems like they always just end up swimming whenever we try, but that's okay, as long as they're both having fun.  They both really love the water, Reggie probably learned from Isabel, but Joba just all of the sudden started loving it when he was about a year old

Here's some video and a few of our favorite pictures from their latest "practice" outings at Hyrum Dam,

Working to End BSL

In recent years I have found myself taking a side on a variety of polarizing topics, Pit Bulls and Breed Specific Legislation being two of those.  When Gus joined our family we didn't really know what a "Pit Bull" was, and really had no idea about the contention existing over the breed.  The rescue that he came from had him listed under another breed, a much less controversial one.  We hope that wouldn't have mattered.  Since gaining a better idea of who Gus really is we worry sometimes about what might happen if we should have to move some place that has BSL, or if BSL should come to our home.  We aren't going to give him up, no one has the right to enter our home and take a member of our family based only on what he looks like.
 
We understand the fear some people may have, but we know better.  The media has messed up on a lot of things and problems with alleged "pit bulls" are at the very least over reported in comparison to problems with other breeds.  We know that pit bulls are working in law enforcement, and as therapy dogs, and that many of them live out their lives quite peacefully in families with children young and old.  We know pit bulls with dog friends and cat friends.  We know that even among the Vick dogs, who were horribly mistreated and used for fighting other dogs there are many living happily with families including other dogs, and several are even certified therapy dogs.
 
I don't enjoy being in conflict with others, I am sorry for anyone who's had a negative experience with dogs, pit bulls or not, but I'm not willing to sit idly by and watch while such incredible violations are committed against innocent dogs and people, especially while nothing is done to address the real bad guys.  Dogs are social animals and have needs above food, shelter, and water, just like we do.  Dogs need socialization early in life to help them learn that other dogs and people are safe, they need training to learn how to behave in our society, they need social contact.  People, especially children, need to know how to interact safely with dogs.  Breed bans do nothing to address these issues.  They do nothing to make owners responsible, they do nothing to protect dogs or people, they include many dogs that pose no threat to anyone, and fail to include dogs that do.
 
Most dog related professional organizations in the United States oppose breed bans.  You can find more information here:
 
BSL Position Statements

Another great source of information is:

Best Friends Animal Society - How to Prevent Breed Discrimination in Your Community

and

Best Friends Animal Society - Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog - Tools to Use
 This site has a wide variety of resources, including cost calculators for what it would cost your community to enact BSL, articles detailing where and why BSL has been ineffective in protecting people, and options  that do work.

To take just a small step toward doing my part I've created this postcard in support of ohmydogblog.com Campaign to End BSL: Operation Denver.  If you feel how we do, please take time to do the same.

The fact is and will remain that until we have individuals taking responsibility for things that individuals are responsible for dangerous dogs are not the only problem that we're going to continue to fail to address in this country.

Getting Started

Welcome to our new blog, we're just getting started but feel free to check out our pups' pages and watch for updates!