I'm brand new to the forum, and I thought I'd make my introduction here with a story of how my beloved Judah came into my life.
And I'd love to hear your rescue stories as well!
I'm the obedience instructor at a doggy daycare facility; I haven't been there very long now, as I used to train big cats and exotics for films and things. Working with dogs has always been a very rewarding experience for me, that's why I switched fields. Some people like skydiving, but MY ultimate thrill is seeing that light-bulb go off in a dog's mind.
The first week I was there, a Shar pei was dropped off for daycare. He was fairly skinny, scarred up, and squirrely in general. His dad never came back.
We got a call from the Shar pei's previous owner a few days later, who made it clear that he hated the dog and we could "sell it, ship it off to a shelter, or bury it alive".
I'm not a Shar pei kind of girl.
Dogo Argentinos, Dobes, Pits, Boxers...those are MY kinds of dogs! I had worked with many a Shar pei, and I'll admit it...I bought them off as "hard-headed, stubborn, willful, nervous beasts with cute ears". I stereotyped the breed and decided in my own head that I "just wasn't that crazy" about 'em.
Well all of that changed with this guy, whose name is Judah. He's quiet, sweet, a little shy, and has a charmingly bewildered look on his face most of the time ("Affection?!!! WHOA! I'm gettin' PETTED??!!! WOW!!").
It was instantaneous love at first sight. He's doing so well after only a few weeks in my care. He's wonderful with all other dogs and people, has become more outgoing, is still *shocked* when he gets a pet on the head (its too cute), and has mastered the basic obedience commands. His drive to please surpasses any reservations he had for the human race.
He's still quite fearful of certain things; he is unnerved by car rides and I can only assume he's never been in the front seat before. You can tell he likes it, but he's constantly afraid I'm going to yell at him for something while there. I have to be extra careful with my guests and remind them not to shout or make fast hand gestures when Judah's around, as it causes him to cringe and sometimes flinch and yelp.
Overall, he's making progress in leaps and bounds and I could never have asked for a more satisfying dog.
And I'd love to hear your rescue stories as well!
I'm the obedience instructor at a doggy daycare facility; I haven't been there very long now, as I used to train big cats and exotics for films and things. Working with dogs has always been a very rewarding experience for me, that's why I switched fields. Some people like skydiving, but MY ultimate thrill is seeing that light-bulb go off in a dog's mind.
The first week I was there, a Shar pei was dropped off for daycare. He was fairly skinny, scarred up, and squirrely in general. His dad never came back.
We got a call from the Shar pei's previous owner a few days later, who made it clear that he hated the dog and we could "sell it, ship it off to a shelter, or bury it alive".
I'm not a Shar pei kind of girl.
Dogo Argentinos, Dobes, Pits, Boxers...those are MY kinds of dogs! I had worked with many a Shar pei, and I'll admit it...I bought them off as "hard-headed, stubborn, willful, nervous beasts with cute ears". I stereotyped the breed and decided in my own head that I "just wasn't that crazy" about 'em.
Well all of that changed with this guy, whose name is Judah. He's quiet, sweet, a little shy, and has a charmingly bewildered look on his face most of the time ("Affection?!!! WHOA! I'm gettin' PETTED??!!! WOW!!").
It was instantaneous love at first sight. He's doing so well after only a few weeks in my care. He's wonderful with all other dogs and people, has become more outgoing, is still *shocked* when he gets a pet on the head (its too cute), and has mastered the basic obedience commands. His drive to please surpasses any reservations he had for the human race.
He's still quite fearful of certain things; he is unnerved by car rides and I can only assume he's never been in the front seat before. You can tell he likes it, but he's constantly afraid I'm going to yell at him for something while there. I have to be extra careful with my guests and remind them not to shout or make fast hand gestures when Judah's around, as it causes him to cringe and sometimes flinch and yelp.
Overall, he's making progress in leaps and bounds and I could never have asked for a more satisfying dog.
