Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Delilah Stone…Role Model (Day One Hundred and Sixteen)

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Today after agility class I was chatting with Ann (who does all  the intakes for  Labs 4 Rescue organization).  Ann is very complimentary about Delilah and what a good dog she is.  Today Ann said, “Delilah would be a good role model for any rescue organization.”  I take that on behalf of Delilah and our entire family as one of the highest compliments I could ever receive about Delilah.

I am all for encouraging people to rescue animals, but as I was discussing with Ann, rescuing is not always easy.  When you look at Delilah and see the amazing dog she has become, you are looking many hours of blood, sweat and tears (mostly my tears!) 🙂

You don’t always get their history, the dog may have behavioral issues that are very steeply set in their past life.   Some dogs will be able to put their pasts behind them and move on, while others may always carry their issues with them.  The best we can do is to try to work around those issues so the dog “wins.”  For instance, if you have a counter surfer (someone who likes to take food off the counter) you may never break them of this habit, the trick is to not leave anything out on the counter that the great Kahuna can reach.  When you leave something reachable out on the counter; you are setting your dog up to fail. 

When we are running agility, even if we haven’t done as well as I think we can, I need to end my run with a task that Delilah performs well.  Then I reward her.  She ends her session on a positive note and feels like she has won.

Delilah on the See Saw

 Delilah isn’t the only one who has won, we have a wonderful dog that would be an awesome role model for any rescue group.

All Dogs Go To Heaven…(Day One Hundred and Fifteen)

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Do you wonder if that statement “All Dogs Go To Heaven” is true?  I have struggled with it for years.  I’m not really sure where I got the idea from, but my understanding was that animals were not allowed in Heaven.  This has weighed heavily on my heart, as I’m not sure I want to be somewhere that my beloved pets are not.  The issue has really tested my faith.

I asked my cousin Karen who has been involved with the church her entire life; her response was uncertain.  She was under the impression that animals did not go to heaven because while they had a spirit, they did not have a soul; still she tried to reassure me that “It doesn’t hurt to ask GOD” once we are there.  I wasn’t satisfied with Karen’s answer.

Somehow my question must have come up in conversation with one of my work friends (Di), because for Christmas I received a gift from her; a book titled “Scarlet’s Garden The Visit” by Penny Taylor.   Di said, “Read the book, then tell if you think animals go to heaven.”  Each time I spoke with Di she would inquire whether I had read the book or not, and each time I told her it’s right on the top of my list, as soon as I have a free day I intend to read the book.

Last Sunday I had a free day and so I sat down and I read the book (anyone who wants to borrow it just let me know.)  I have to admit; I cried, a lot, but I thought the book was beautifully written.  I don’t want to spoil the book by revealing too much, but I do have to say, I once again have hope that my babies will be with me in heaven and my faith in GOD has been renewed.

Spring Fever…Day One Hundred and Fourteen

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It was another eventful evening at obedience class tonight.  I went without the dogs and am I ever grateful that I did.    Since we have been taking up to park, I think they are ok with exercise, but I wanted to go to help out with anyone that might help.  (I’m entertaining the idea of becoming a dog trainer.)

It seems like all the dogs are on edge, waiting for some nicer weather so they can go out and release some energy, since that isn’t happening some of them are trying to release their energy in class.  One little black lab tried to punk poor Mac (a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix);  Mac has been attacked before so naturally he is a little wary, when the dog came at him Mac went right back at him.  Mac got away from his owner and then Gunner (a Giant Schnauzer) took off and his mom ended up on the floor with a scraped and bruised wrist.  As Mac and Gunner lunged (here I am sitting on sidelines observing it all) I saw about five or six dogs rise as well.  This is what Sara calls a “Pack Mentality.”   Thankfully it was over in less than a minute, but still it left me thankful that both my dogs were home.  Miss Delilah certainly would have wanted to add her two cents to the mix.

Just as we get tired of the weather that constricts us from our regular routines, so too must our dogs.  The reason I really backed off walking them was because of the ice (and cold) but I have ski pants and I need to remember that and use them if needed.  I have found a renewed enjoyment in hiking with Chet, Sampson and Delilah, even if it’s only on the same trails around our house.

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