Pride! :)

Sunny, today I am so PROUD of you!
I got to talk to Cathy (your super special, life-saving trainer) and she said so many really nice and amazing things about you!! She told me what a good girl you are learning to be and how your are such a good dog! In fact, she said that everyone loves you!! Of course I'm not surprised; you're very lovable!

In every e-mail she has mentioned what a sweetie you are and how fun you are.
I already knew that.

I miss you and I can't wait to see you soon!!

Love,
Lara

Genetic aggression?

We met you on a Saturday morning.
Your "foster people" brought you over along with a bag of biscuits. You were pretty wary of us, but that was fair. You had been living in their truck at night or were tied to a tree during the day. Really any strangers weren't very safe in your mind.

Actually your barking and growling kind of scared us. We didn't know what to make of that because it was so different from Elvyra's personality, but she was a relaxed black lab. I know it's not fair to compare you to her. Your lives are very different.

Anyway, after we gave you some biscuits, we were your friends and you seemed okay. Except for the outside cats which you insisted on growling at. I took you for a LONG walk about the property and tried to wear you out. From day one I tried to teach you the outline of our land. But walking was HARD. You really thought you were the boss.
I hadn't learned about being pack leader yet. Lucky you! :)

I had planned to send you to Doggie Boot Camp and started looking for places. At first I found Misty Pines, but then after we ran into our Vet and Vet Tech neighbors, they recommended Cathy Peters at Hickory Grove. So we went to see Cathy on a Sunday morning. I was excited to go and hear what she said. But I left the meeting with Cathy very said and nervous.

Cathy's first words were, "This dog concerns me." She was really worried that you have genetic aggression. And if this proved to be true, the outcome could be putting you to sleep. :( It made me think a lot about life. And it made me committed to do everything I could to give you the best chance possible to make sure that if this was just insecurity you would be able to grow stronger and more secure. And that has made me tired. Happy, but tired.

The last meeting with Cathy went better. She seemed more hopeful and feels like Robert and I are doing what we need to to give you the best chance. She thinks we can make it work. You've been showing such progress and are a smarty pants. I think you're gonna be okay. And so does she. :) You go back to Hickory Grove on November 3 for another training session. Let's hope Cathy is still impressed and hopeful! <3

A Sunny Beginning

And so it began.

Sunshine weaseled her way way into our lives and into our hearts.

It was a usual day at the hospital but I had noticed her picture on the bulletin board by the cafeteria. I tried not to. Really. I'm such a bleeding heart that I KNOW better than to look at pictures of lost and found animals posted on bulletin boards, for crying out loud.

"Who would want a pit bull?!" asked my lunch buddies. And truthfully I wondered the same. I sure didn't. I would NEVER pick a pit bull. I'm a lab retriever girl all the way. And we really were thinking about a smaller dog if and when we got our next dog.

BUT...

Sunny wasn't about plans or timing or design or wants. She was there and she was now and she had needs. She needed a home and a family. And she was pretty adorable in the pictures (despite her intimidating appearance.) Sunny was found on a dirt road not far from our house. She is what your would call a "rescue" I guess. She didn't even have the luxury of coming from an animal shelter.

And I was weak. I took her picture home fully expecting Robert to say "No." But he didn't.

"If you want." is what he said. If I want? Really? Did I want? Did I NOT want? How could I NOT want? How could I say NO? How could I say YES?

And so we agreed to meet you.

And you were something else from the get-go. You were loud and anxious and nervous and scary. You made me happy and also wonder what the hell I was getting into. So adorable and yet such a big scary mouth, teeth, bark, and bite!

And you didn't really care much for any of our cats from the start. We didn't like that. Our cats are family. And we determined from the beginning that if you are going to be part of THIS family, you are going to need to make peace with them. Period. We are still waiting. We won't rush you, but we WILL insist.

We've had you for almost 2 weeks and you are doing really well! We love you and have high hopes for you. We love your bright and happy personality and think we have chosen the perfect name for you and Cathy, your trainer, agrees! She was worried about your dominance issues and thought your might have genetic aggression, but each lesson you show progress. You are learning to walk on a lead and we are learning to be your pack leader.

Sunny, you have been a gracious student and we are trying our best to be the best Alphas we can. We love you and will do our best to keep you safe and happy!

You are a gift to us! :)