I had a busy day today. It started with taking Noel out to go pee. At noon, I brought Noel back to the vet clinic where I first met her 10 days ago. I kept a stiff upper lip, but watching my daughter hug her goodbye tore me up. On the way home we had an important conversation about why we couldn't keep her that I'd like to share. Later in the day I took several phone calls from confused dog owners, then evaluated a misunderstood dog and finally helped introduce a new dog into a new home. It was a dog-filled day. The best part of my day was a phone call from a friend who reminded me that we need the "courage to change the things we can, accept the things we can't and have the wisdom to know the difference." I took Noel into my home to determine if she could be housebroken. I responded to a Facebook post that said she couldn't be housetrained and in my line of work, that is very rarely true. I wanted to know if it just took someone with the right methods to get the job done. It was a little pig headed....but have you looked at my life? I have always been quietly pig headed. Tell me that it can't be done, and I love to try to prove you wrong. My ultimate purpose in taking this dog is a bigger lesson, than can she be housetrained. Can people learn how to teach dogs? Can people admit that education is necessary? Can people humble themselves enough to say...I need help? I was prepared to humble myself. I was prepared to fail. I had considered that the description of this dog could have been accurate. So...10 days later..am I humble? Yes, I am. I am humbled to feel the support of other dog lovers. Support from others who have asked for edcuation and listened and are better for it. Being with a dog isn't just about hanging with an animal. It's about us -it's about compassion, nurturing something that needs us and it's about loving something that brings us together. This is why people cry when speaking about their dogs. Because loving a dog, means we have opened our hearts and in doing so we become raw and emotional. We love dogs because we need them. We need dogs because people let us down. We need dogs because they need us and we need to be needed. We need dogs because when the whole world is too busy, our dogs aren't. They are right there waiting for us and happy to see us no matter what. Dogs set an example of pure love that those of us who have shared it know is a message for us to be better people. Dogs show us how to love, but are we listening? When I spoke with Annie on the way home from giving Noel back, I reminded her why we took her in the first place. Taking a dog into your home should be a decision that is right for the dog and for the people. We weren't looking for a third dog. If we were to keep Noel, it would be based on pity. As much as we learned to love her, she wan't the right dog for us. The reasons people get dogs is often he reason the dog ends up homeless. I have heard it all. "I got he dog because it looks like my old one who just died," big shoes to fill! "I got the dog because I always loved that kind of fur," flimsy reasoning for a 15 year committment. "I got this dog to keep my other one company," and did you pick the company or did your dog? "It was just soooo cute!" None of these are rational. Getting a new dog is a big committment. It takes times, money and resources. It doesn't always go well. A person should be prepared and make a choice that makes sense. So as I reminded Annie, that we are a busy family, with limited time and resources and that our two dogs are happy as a 2 dog household, she said, "I know, but I love her." What is love? To me, love is taking action. Whenever I hear people say, "I really love the dog, BUT...," I stop listening. Love is action, not intention. I know this is a deep conversation about a silly dog.....but it really is so much more. People need to buck up in all ways. People need to be honest and true. Do what you say you will. Keep your committments. Do the right thing. Dogs can teach many lessons. What is the the lesson when someone gives up on a dog? I don't know, but I never want to live in that kind of family. Harsh, I am. Life is harsh, people. So, at the end of this tiring and glorious journey of dog love....I am feeling satisfied that I did my very best for this dog. I also learned that I will never be a foster mom or a pet rescuer because the whole things just ticks me off. I also learned that I have a very special family and the two most perfect dogs in the world that have my heart and will forever. Noel has taught me to be honest and to work hard and that no matter what the outcome, her life has a purpose and it will live in my heart. |
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CategoriesBasic needs, shelter, food, medical, exercise, dog's needscrate training, potty training, puppy training dog blog, dog training, leadership, dog needs, good dog owner dog love dog training, dog blog, myths about dogs, truth about dogs, dog behavior dog training, dog lessons, people and dogs, inspiration dogs behaving badly foster dog, dog training, housebreaking, new dog foster dog, new dog housetrainig, foster dog, consistency, dog behavior, dog training housetraining, dog behavior leadership, ownership, alpha, listening, good behavior new blog, dogs, dog training, puppy, new dog new dog, dog training, dominance, dogs fighting, new blog problem behavior |
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