people for inspiration

We can't deny that along the way we have met some extraordinary people in our lives. Though this was well before Sweets was my live in, full time mutt companion, in a fomer life I had some awesome times, swimming competitively though my middle and high school years. What really shaped my drive as an athlete and competitor was swimming on the Washington YMCA team with Coach Steve and Cathy. I literally went from swimming in lane 1 to being picked out of the pack and put with the "big boys" (and girls) which upped my game considerably, had me anchoring the relay events and time trialing for Nationals. During those years I was surrounded by some of the best athletes and people that I've come to know, among them Marissa Boyan. In the off season, we'd see each other at track meets, as she truly was just as amazing in the pool as she was as a distance runner. A humble soul that was encouraging, goofy and always at the top of her game. After 7 years of battling recurring brain tumors, and one old swim buddy swimming the English Channel to raise money a scholarship fund in her name, she has died at 26. So, it's not always about the rainbows and unicorns, or even the puppies right? Marissa was just as inspiring when I knew her at a teenager, as she was at 26. So, it's here that we recognize an old friend and forever an inspiration, and we're grateful to have known her.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07258/817793-122.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml

making a difference

It's been a while since Sweets has gone to work with me at the shelter, about 7 months now. She didn't mind much, would just sleep most of the day. The job was rewarding and heartbreaking. I saw the "worst of it" when we would take trips to the rural south or to other open admission shelters in our back yard or a few hundred miles away. I really got the scope of the problem when on one visit to a shelter in rural Ga, the shelter manager was showing me around. When I asked her what the stats were for the year, she said, "8000 in, 100 out".

I got it. I really got it.

It's called the animal overpopulation crisis, because that's what it is...a crisis.

I'm moved my people that are out there making a difference on this front, as volunteers and as change agents. Locally, Lori Bentz of Last Chance Rescue has plans to expand her exisitng facility for more dogs, cats, lizards, what have you that she rescues from Philadephia Animal Control.

And Denise Bash, founder of Animal Lifelife raises funds so that the people working tirelessly in rescue and sheltering, have financial support. Not to mention her work in Appalacia- trucking in supplies, dog houses, creating shelter for stray animals, with a goal of 50 animals placed this year. Blown away. Keep it up ladies.

Check them out at www.lastchanceranch.org and www.animallifelineonline.org

client compassion

For as many times as I've heard this "he's just not like my last dog" and for as many times as I've thought "well, he's not your other dog". Holy Moley, let me just tell ya folks, my new pup is NOTHING like my 3 year old gal. And I've found myself going there, thinking, "he's so needy" or "I wish he'd just learn to chill out like Sweets". Oy! I can totally get how disempowering it is to have an experience of your first dog or your last dog and simply expect the next pup to be the same. It really does not make sense, but when you get used to that relationship, you can find yourself frustrated, up the river and the puppy ate your paddle.
Sweets, in essence was "easy", she peed in the house once, munched merrily in her crate after a whine or two, rarely picked things up with her mouth (well, there was that dead mouse, but she did "off". And there was that poo eating phase that threw me for a loop), okay, okay. She was easy to crate, oh yeah, and was a fear barker for a while (we worked through that). She is sensitive, owner focused and is a great girl.
On the other hand- Tater is confident, climbs flights of stairs at 10 weeks, slams the teeter, tap dances on the wobble board while Sweets watches, eats dirt and twig appetizers on a daily basis and is having some trouble "chilling out" when crated or left alone. He is a total sweetie, social with people and IS a different dog.
My friend, Dacia (mom of 3 God love her) and I were talking about it. She found the same thing with her kids. Auggie, the first boy was responsive, just "gets it" and was a sensitive guy that would take direction and cause little trouble. Lucie, her second girl is a firey girl after my own heart, eats bowls of "no" for breakfast and guess what? Didn't respond as well or respond at all to Dacia's training. Go figure.
Don't get me and Sweets wrong folks, we love the little guy for sure. And Sweets wouldn't be caught dead tap dancing on a wobble board EVER, so it's give and take. One thing is for sure, Sweets was awful happy that we snuck out the last two days for a run and Mom was hardly upset when she swam into the lake today and relocated about 40 geese, she came back to shore, waited when I said "Wait" and I leashed her back up. Of course I was a little embarrased, but hey, not too bad for the "perfect girl".