Happy Doggies Make Happy Humans

Graduating From Being Afraid of Other Dogs

I've got happy news to share. My dog Krystal has graduated from being afraid of other dogs!

Her "final exam" was doing the K9 3K walk sponsored by the Wake County SPCA. She passed with flying colors.

As we drove into the parking garage, I got a little nervous. There were dogs, humans and kids everywhere. Krystal had never been in the company of so many dogs or humans. 

I decided the only way this could work was if I had a positive attitude and was ready for fun. Before I got the car parked, I started telling Krystal what a good dog she was, and singing songs to her.

Krystal was amazing. She took it like a champ.

The first sign that things really were going well came as we walked down the stairs of the parking garage. We passed several dogs who weren't used to going down stairs. Krystal is fond of stairs, and she kept on task. She didn't start barking or get all territorial. She just kept going down those 4 flights of stairs. All that time I was letting her know what a good dog she was.

The bigger challenge was just ahead. We had to cross the street and go into Moore Square, which was filled with thousands of dogs and their humans. 

Krystal held her own. When we got to the corner, I followed our normal routine and told her to "wait." She waited. When I told her to "cross," she trotted straight across the street. She totally ignored everyone else--her little ears were back in full obedience. It was a sight to see.

As we stepped into Moore Square, I admit to more than a little trepidation. I'm not overly fond of big crowds, so I gave myself a talking-to about remaining grounded and calm so this could become a good experience for Krystal.

Once again, she surprised me. She's always been frightened of big dogs, but she didn't bat an eye. She walked right with me over to the line for the registration tent. There she stood calmly taking in the scene. I was feeding her treats and singing to her.

When the SPCA started the 3K walk, humans and dogs started moving together. I was flabbergasted at the sight of my self-confident little dog walking so peaceably and happily among all these other dogs. Never a whimper or sound of a fear-bark. She was so self-confident that she just moved away when she encounted a dog she wasn't comfortable with.

After about 1/3 mile, the pack energy took over, and all the dogs and their humans began moving in sync. Krystal was smiling, clearly enjoying herself.

I was floating with joy.  Krystal completed the walk with nary a fear-bark or display of territoriality. Our lives were transformed with every step.

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When Krystal came to live with me 2 1/2 years ago, the shelter told me she had been found as a stray. They thought she had been on her own for 6 weeks. I truly admire her ability to survive that ordeal.

In the world of stray dogs, and 11 lb dog doesn't have much clout. She clearly survived on leaves, twigs, and acorns. The big stray dogs did her no favors, and our first year was filled with massive fear-barking when we encountered any dog on our walks.

I'm very grateful for my obedience instructors at Bon-Clyde Learning Center, who taught me how to work with Krystal. And who stayed for an extra hour one evening to teach me about terriers, and give me techniques to build Krystal's self-confidence and reduce her fear.

Thanks very much. It took us 2 years of love, dedication and training. I used your techniques the entire time. We're a much happier family now.

Helping Animals During Emergencies

Do you want to help animals during natural disasters or other emergencies?

My friends at United Animal Nations have announced their 2008 training schedule for volunteers wanting to join the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS.)

Volunteers learn how to shelter, love and care for animals who are displaced when disaster strikes. They help bring animals out of crisis and into care.

With more than 3500 volunteers in the US and Canada, EARS has an excellent service history. They have rescued and sheltered animals during many types of emergencies--from local shelters that are shut down by animal welfare inspectors, to hurricane Katrina. This training is sponsored by the ASPCA.

In 2008 there will be 13 one day trainings, offered across the US and in Vancouver, BC.

I know these folks personally, and can highly recommend working with them. I'm looking forward to getting trained in Charleston, SC. I hope to see some of you there!

An Easy Way to Help Protect Animals

There's an easy way for you to participate in the ASPCA's campaign to end animal cruelty.

They are giving you the opportunity to sign a pledge that you will work to end animal cruelty.

Protecting animals is a crucial part of the ASPCA's mission. They are really hands-on in this field. Their investigative and forensic work on the Michael Vick case recently received international attention.

Within the last month, the ASPCA announced the creation of the first mobile CSI-type forensic lab with trained veterinarian staff that can be used to investigate and provide evidence in important animal cruelty cases.

You may ask, what good does it do to sign this pledge? It does a lot of good.

First, you are making a public statement. That's important.

Second, when the ASPCA goes to Congress or state legislators while lobbying for animal protection legislation, they can confidently tell those legislators how many people have signed this pledge -- they can even tell the legislators how many people from their state and district have signed the pledge.

Legislators are intelligent enough to translate those numbers into potential voters. So the more people who sign the pledge, the more the legislators will listen to and hopefully act upon the ASPCA recommendations.

Third, these same numbers can be used when working with private corporations, and for funding grants.

It's amazing how powerful your signature on a pledge can become.

I signed the pledge. Now you have to opportunity to join me.

Dog of the Year

I love stories about how our pets help us.

The ASPCA has just announced their Dog of the Year award, going to a two-year-old Golden Retriever named Toby.

Toby's human, Debbie Parkhurst, was eating an apple when a piece became stuck in her throat. She frantically tried to dislodge the apple piece by beating herself on the chest. The Golden Retriever came to her rescue by knocking her to the ground and jumping up and down on her chest until the apple was dislodged.

This heimlich maneuver performing dog saved Debbie's life. You'll not be surprised to hear that Debbie rescued Toby from a dumpster in 2005. 

What a great pair!

To read more about the ASPCA's awards, click here.