DogStuff, GardenStuff,

This is Marini, a two year old shepherd mix. He has some anxiety issues to work on, and needs to learn his basic obedience. So tomorrow, that is what I'll start working on. I had a lot of success with the last dog I worked on. From the first class to the last class, she was a different dog. She started out with absolutely zero interest in me or in learning, but by the last class? OMG. She was amazing: engaging and charming and knew all of her obedience commands. Potential adopters love to see a dog that makes eye contact and can sit! lay down! shake hands! etc. THIS is what I want to help Marini accomplish.
*note: all of the dogs at the shelter have strange names

I worked with two dogs that I have ALWAYS been terrified of. This is a big deal for me! A chow, who had his warning growl trained out of him by someone who didn't understand it was preferable to have a growl before the bite than just a bite out of nowhere....and then a very large Saint Bernard/ Boxer mix that had some fear aggression issues. I just thought of them as puppies and went for it.








I've started planning my garden for this year. Last year's garden started out pretty well, but it turned into a disaster full of weeds. Also, the summer was unusually harsh where I live. I got some eggplants and tomatoes, but not much else. My seeds will come from Botanical Interests, because they are non gmo and not affiliated in any way with Monsanto. I'll need to do a  lot of things differently this year, I'm hoping I can carve out the time to have a proper garden, and even jar & freeze stuff.

Anyway! Big plans!

Conrad

This is Conrad. He's an American Pit Bull Terrier Mix, probably about 2 years old. He came to us in June of last year as a temporary foster so there would be some room freed up in the vet clinic. Conrad had been dragged behind a car, and beaten with a board (according to the call in). He had numerous abrasions down one side of his body, and his paws were like hamburger meat. 

He was a shivery mess the first time I met him in the vet clinic. We took him out of his kennel and put him on the floor so we could meet. His tail thumped and I knew we would be great friends. I carried all 50+ pounds of him to my van, and brought him home. After a couple of days, he was able to get up and walk around, he followed me through the house while I did housework, touching his nose to my hand every so often. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with him and decide to keep him. 

Before I started in rescue work, I was always uncomfortable around pit bulls. Being around them all day every day and teaching them that not all people want to hurt them, seeing them grow to be *almost* as amazing as they were meant to be (they need their forever homes to fulfill their potential), I have changed my mind. Pit bulls aren't scary, the hype about them isn't true. They are so smart, so eager to learn and to please. 

Conrad? He knows all of his obedience commands. He also jumps through hoops and loves to hang out with my kids. When my 3 year old is napping on the couch, Conrad will sleep next to him. When I walk him, he is protective of me. Should someone approach me in the wrong way (it happens, I live in the city) he guards me. He is always friendly otherwise.....Conrad and every other American Pit Bull Terrier mix I work with every day have completely changed my mind about these dogs. 

Dogs

There is no happiness like having a pack of dogs.