Blog Beginnings - Sorry for the novel!

04/23/2012 16:26:00

Coming soon will be a new blog entry each week focusing on a different question/doggie issue each time so please submit your questions! Since a lot of you who will read this do not know me, this week I want to officially start the blog by focusing primarily on.....well...ME and the one question I get asked more than any other " How did you start doing this"

How It All Began: To be entirely honest, I am not entirely sure. My first memories of dogs started from the time I was born and are of our three German Shepards - King, Sheba and Prince. I remember being upset with my parents as a small child and I decided I would run away one day. I packed my Barbie suitcase, grabbed my aqua heart themed umbrella and my walkman with the some New Kids on the Block, packed some Oreos and out the door I went, certain never to return. Sheba met me at the door, and I told goodbye and wished her well. I rambled around the yard, wandered over to the woods, hung out in the loft of the garage, all trying to find the courage to make it to the road. Sheba never left my side. Our driveway was long, so it seemed like it took forever to get there and I almost made it, but she stopped me. Sheba got in between the space of the last pine tree (my boundary I was never to cross) and the road. I tried passing her several times, but she would always herd me back into the same place. I thought we were dancing for a while, and then I realized that for sure we had been on the journey for several days and I needed to hit the road! So I made what turned out to be one last run for it. She tugged on my jacket and then gave me a "mother" look as if to say she was fed up with my antics. I don't know if the rain, being tired, lack of courage, or the "look" made me turn back, but I could tell she meant business. So back in the house our several day journey ended up being what was actually about a 90 minute escapade around the yard. I didn't think much of it then, but now I realize how loyal she was to me and how she "mothered" me and how I probably took them for granted at that age during our years together. What else do I remember? The smell, the licks, the protective nature, the sadness when they passed and looking back now - the extreme patience they all exercised with a toddler trying to ride them all over the yard. What I don't remember is EVER feeling afraid around them.

Fast forward to present day and several dogs later and here I am doing the one thing in my life that I know I was meant to do and I know I will never do anything I love more. I enjoy meeting the dogs and meeting the people. If the dogs are here I enjoy giving their owners peace of mind that their dogs will be well looked after while they are away and hoping they know that I love every animal I care for as if it is my own. If I am training I enjoy helping to build the bond between the dog and its owner or helping to breakdown barriers between them.

When it comes to helping shelter animals or rescue work, I enjoy that too, as painful as it can be to see. As Buck Brannigan (the man Robert Redford's movie Horse Whisperer was based on) said in my one of my favorite films "Buck"

" People think they need help with horse problems, but its usually helping horses with people problems".

Dogs to me are such spiritual creatures and wonderful teachers. I think we can all agree that for those people who do believe in a higher being or God - the promise of that is unconditional love, forgiveness,and faith that it will all turn out OK in the end. Dogs are always ready with unlimited love, they forgive immediately and they always have faith if you let them. One other thing I love about dogs is their power to redeem us. They give everyone another chance to be the person they should be. A do over of your shortcomings by caring for something else that will indeed become a reflection of yourself. I feel like dogs are little helpers running all around reminding us of what is important in life. I am honored to be around so many each day and I don't think its any coincidence that Dog is God spelled back words...I will leave you with one of my favorite poems....

"When God made the earth and sky, flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals, the birds and the bees.

When His work was finished, not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this earth of mine and give you all a name."

And so He travelled land and sea, and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed him until its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said, "Dear Lord, there's not one left for me."

The Father smiled and softly said, "I've left you till the end,
I'll turn my own name back to front, and call you 'dog,' my friend."

Author Unknown

Winter Paws Dog Show

01/04/2012 13:08:00

Hey Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a good start to the year. I want to invite everyone to come out to the Winter Paws Dog Show this year - part of Blowing Rock's WinterFest. This is Woof Pack's first event of the year and not only will Samson and I be there , but you can show off your four legged best friend or just come to see the cutest dogs around in the Winter Paws Dog Show - all for a great cause!

Sunday, January 29th 1:30pm - Located in the Gymnasium at Blowing Rock Elementary School on Morris Street.

Registration at the door for your pooch begins at 12:45pm.

$10 entry fee for first two categories; $15 for three or more categories. Categories include Smallest, Largest, Best Smile, Most EAR-ristible Ears, Most Adorable, Best Handshake, Most Mysterious Heritage, Best Tail-Wagger, Most Glamorous, Best Dog/Owner Look-a-like.

Winner from each category goes on to compete for the title of People's Choice and Grand Prize.

Proceeds go to the Watauga County Humane Society.

For more information visit http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.com/events.php?i=winterpaws.html

2012 - First post of the year and the new blog!

01/02/2012 20:13:00

Hi Everyone,

I always have so many people emailing me questions and going back and forth with advice that I thought it would be great for everyone to be able to benefit! So here we are with a new blog where I will be letting everyone know about events and discussing behavioral issues or training tips - you are welcome to comment and discuss! I will try to post a different topic weekly.

Happy New Year!!

My Blog

Blog Beginnings - Sorry for the novel!

Winter Paws Dog Show

2012 - First post of the year and the new blog!