I’m done. I’m tired. I’m tapped out. You’re on your own. Would you like to know why? Because
YOU BROUGHT THIS ALL ON YOURSELF.
Every day, my inbox is full of messages from different groups and individuals, asking me to help fight the growing intrusion into pet ownership. The latest was SB250, but there have been a long list of bills, with an assortment of letters and numbers, that all share the same result - the ultimate taking away of our rights to care for OUR pets.
These bills want to spay and neuter our pets for lots of reasons. They want to license them, license us, and fine us huge amounts if we violate any of the rules. That is, if they let us have our pet back at all. They want to limit the number of pets we can own and litters we can breed. They want to legislate our pets into extinction.
When these requests come in, I dutifully email, fax and call my representatives. I email, fax and call the members of the committees that are discussing the bills. I email, fax and call the media to voice my outrage. I spend hours and hours doing this.
The irony of all this is that none of the legislation would impact me directly. I only have spayed and neutered dogs, and don’t breed at all. Never have. Probably never will. But I fight these bills for a few reasons. One is that I love purebred dogs. And I want the freedom to get a purebred dog in the future, if I want to. Do you see the key word there? FREEDOM. That’s what this all comes down to. Because the other reason that I spend time fighting the fight is because I don’t like our government intruding into what should be MY BUSINESS. I also hate the stranglehold that animal rights activists have on our government. Make no mistake, their fingerprints are all over every bill that attempts to take away your ownership rights. They’ve made it perfectly clear that they want to end the “exploitation of domestic animals”.
But I’m done with the emailing, faxing and calling. Why? Because I want the dog fancy to see the results of their actions that have led to this situation. Because, if you look closely at every bill written, every committee convened, and every law passed, you will see that the people who write the bills and vote yes are all DEMOCRATS. Yup, this is about to get political. Because is needs to. The dog fancy needs to wake up and realize that by putting the environment, political correctiveness, gay rights, abortion rights, and every other left-wing “right” out there first, they are also putting into power the very people that will take away your rights as an animal owner.
And you deserve it. This recent vote AB250 is a perfect example. The dog community helped get Fran Pavely elected, and she cast the deciding “yes” vote. And you all act shocked that this happened. Really? You’re shocked? I’m not. And I also had nothing to do with electing that person, or any other person, that drafted or voted for these bills. Because I ALMOST NEVER VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT.
I’m sure by now that most of you have stopped reading because your blood pressure can’t take it. But bear with me a moment. When voting, I tend to vote with my brain, not my feelings. And I decided a long time ago to make a list of things that are most important to me. There are a lot of things on that list. I believe in a women’s right to choose. I believe in religious freedom. I believe that it’s our obligation to do our part to protect the environment. But at the top of EVERY list was my dogs. They are the single most important thing to me. They are my social life, my stress reliever, my laughter, my exercise and my SOUL. So when I vote, I put them first. And every anti-dog law has come about because of lawmakers that are Democrat. I know, someone will come out and tell me about a Republican that voted for anti-dog laws. But that would be anecdotal, and not indicative of the overwhelming evidence that shows me that by voting Democat, we are destroying pet ownership.
So I’m done cleaning up your mess. It will affect me, but not as much as it will affect you. I will still be able to find purebred dogs to take into my home, because not every state has been put into a chokehold by the animal rights extremists, and the left-wing politicians that want to control every aspect of your life.
But realize that this mess goes far beyond animal rights. It goes right to the heart of our FREEDOMS. And if you continue to put twisty bulbs and the right to same-sex marriages before your right as a pet owner, you get what you deserve. Just don’t come whining to me.
This behavior is to teach our dogs to hide behind us.
First up is Levi. He's my most clicker saavy dog. He's 10 years old, and been clicking since he came to me at 4 months old. He really knows the game, but is a little out of practice.
Now, before you think I'm cold-hearted or unfeeling, walk a mile in my shoes (just keep a watch out, so you don't step in dog poop LOL). I've had more pugs in my house in the past 10 years than I can count. I've had good pugs, bad pugs, old pugs, young pugs and everything in between. I've had pugs that have stayed for months, and pugs that have stayed a few hours. I've enjoyed every single minute with the dogs that have come in the door. But the number one reason that I volunteer with pug rescue is to find loving, permanent homes for rescued pugs. And I can proudly say that I've accomplished that.
As of this moment, the pugs that I've fostered have had a 100% success rate. I've had pugs go to young couples, older couples, families and single folks. Pugs have moved to the country, into the city, the suburbs, and one was adopted by a full-time RV'er. Some are "only pugs", and others join large canine families, pugs and non-pugs alike.
I've had pugs that have been very easy to live with. They're housetrained, walk nicely on a leash, come when they're called and have few, if any, behavior problems. I've had others have been challenges, who've required a lot of training, discipline and TLC to help them become adoptable.
And some have been adopted, but haven't moved out. I have adopted 5 pugs (Puck, Beth, Frosty, Arnie and Gracie), and became a hospice home for 4 more (Spud, Cutie, Little Bit and Mister Big). The ones that have stayed didn't do so "because I couldn't let them go". Puck, Arnie and Gracie stayed because I saw their agility potential. Beth and Frosty stayed because I knew that the chances of them being adopted were minimal (they were very old), and I felt it was in their best interest to stay where they were comfortable. Now, looking back, I don't know what I would have done without any of them in my doggie family. But there have been other foster pugs that could have fit that bill, but weren't quite what I was looking for in an agility pug, or had families that would welcome them.
It IS easy letting them go. I think that pugs are a breed that are very adaptable, and make an easy dog to rehome. They settle in at my house in a day or so, and I know that they do the same when they move on to their new homes. They don't get depressed, or seem to miss me, I'm sure. The fact is, pugs are not the most loyal dogs in the canine family. And that's not a bad thing when it comes to rescuing. It makes it easy to get the phone call or email that someone is interested in a pug that I'm fostering.
When that call comes, I'm happy. I know it means that a pug has found what all pugs need - a forever home. It's the number one goal of rescue. I miss them all, but am confident that they don't remember me in a few days, and that their new families have found the joy and comfort of a little pug that needs them. I love hearing the stories of how they settle in to their new homes. It means I've done my job. And while I'm a little sad, I'm also very glad.
So it is easy to let them go, because I don't look at it as a loss. I look at it as a gain, of another family that has rescued a pug.
Yesterday, my foster pug Parker went to his new home. I've had him for 6 months, and had resigned myself to the fact that he was never going anywhere. But a chance conversation at an agility trial found him a perfect home, with a couple that was looking for a small dog to spoil. He's an awesome pug - the perfect little gentleman, with a great sense of humor and lots of desire to please. He deserves a home where they think the sun rises and sets on him, with a couch to cuddle and unlimited opportunity for treats and toys. And he's found that.
Yup, it's easy.......
Merry Christmas, Parker!!!I've had more pugs at my house than I can even name or remember. I've had some for one night, some for months, and a few hospice pugs for years. At the moment, I have 3 rescues in my house (2 Pugs and 1 Boxer), and all are training and/or showing in agility. I love the challenge of taking a diamond in the rough and making a superstar out of them. I truly believe that rescue dogs bond more to me than a dog I've gotten as a puppy. Just my opinion, but definately true in my case.
My first 2 foster dogs, in 1998, were both pug mixes. One was Puck, who stayed with me, and has become my "dog of a lifetime". At 11 years old, he's still going strong, running and playing in the yard, keeping it clear of birds and squirrels. He doesn't run agility any more, but that has more to do with my patience level than his age.
The other foster dog, all those hears ago, was a little pug/chihuahua cross named DJ. He was a stray, and being a mix, he was difficult to place. At the time, my vet had a client that had just lost her old dog. Bobbi was about 70 years old, healthy as a horse, and one of the characters that live up here in the foothills. Independent, ornery, single and tough, she gardened and watched tv with her little dog. When she lost her old dog, my vet thought of DJ. They met, and DJ went to live the life of a country gentleman. Over the years, I got updates about DJ and his life.
Fast forward to 3 months ago, and my vet called to say that Bobbi had been found unconscious in her home, she'd been hospitalized, and DJ was at the vet's. PROS is responsible for our dogs for life, so she wanted me to be prepared to take him back. After a week, it was decided that Bobbi wasn't able to return to her home alone, and would need full time care. One of my vet's employee's (in typical foothill compassion) took Bobbi into her home, so that she could keep DJ and not be put in a "home".
Two weeks ago, Bobbi died, having spent her last days in a loving home, with her little dog. But now PROS had to find DJ a home. He could stay where he was for a little while, but not permanently. So PROS arranged for him to live with a foster mom in San Francisco. Last Saturday I drove DJ to his new home. He will live in the heart of San Francisco, going to parks, taking walks in the neighborhood, napping in the garden, and visiting people and pugs that populate his foster mom's life. We're not sure he'll get adopted, since he's at least 12 years old, but if he doesn't, he will live out his days happy and cared for. His world was turned upside down, but PROS made sure that he was cared for, for life. It's what we do. It's not easy, convenient, cheap or stress-free. But it's fulfilling, and the right thing to do. I'm glad I got to enter DJ's life one more time, to get him to where he needed to be.
Please support rescue.
Check out a company that also supports rescue http://www.thebalm.com/makeup/rescue.htm#
Just go to our show secretary's page at http://www.jmoagility.com/
If anyone has ANY questions about filling out the entry, getting a PAL/ILP, the show site - anything - just email me at ringwise@sbcglobal.net.
Arnie got his PAL/ILP a few weeks ago, and it took about 2 weeks. He's now Pastime's Lightening in a Bottle. And he's ready to enter AKC trials.
Three months and counting......
See you there
Premium List: it's been worked on, and has been submitted to the AKC. As soon as it's up and ready, I'll let you all know. The website of our secretary is www.jmoagility.com/ The trial closes September 24, so there's time to get your entry in. We're offering all 3 classes (Standard, JWW & FAST) and both levels (Regular and Preferred).
Awards: There's a lot of awards being given out, from first place to Novice A dogs. I'll post a list of the awards here next week............keep an eye out.
Workshop: We're working on holding a workshop on Tuesday night at the host hotel. I've pretty much firmed up the who and what - we just need to decide the logistics. If any of you have heard of Control Unleashed, the co-author of the book, Keinan Brown, lives in southern CA. We're talking with her about coming in and doing a workshop for our pugs. I've personally been to see the author, Leslie, and the theories and techniques from the Control Unleashed program are amazing! I've implemented a lot of them for Arnie, and it's done wonders for him. For those that don't know about the program, read the book! You will be glad you have. It gives you tons of exercises to teach focus, stress relief, and self control. And put this workshop on your calendar for Tuesday, October 7th.
I guess that's it. We're practicing (although class was cancelled this week because of the smoke). Arnie got his PAL/ILP number, so we're all ready to enter.
Laurie
Keinan Brown
Here are a few photos of the park that we'll be holding the agility trial at this year. It's Cucamonga-Guasti Park in Ontario, CA. It has plenty of room, lots of shade, a very nice lawn area, a pavillion for a cookout, and is close to the host hotel.
Here's some photos:
I posted this to the Pug Agility List, but thought I'd put it on here, too.
I think weave poles consist of 4 training "parts", and I train each of them separately. In the order I train them:
1. Do all the poles once you're in them.
2. Don't pop out of the last pole.
3. Control your entry, so that you don't go past the second pole.
4. Get in the entry, no matter where it or I am.
1. DO ALL THE POLES ONCE YOU'RE IN THEM. The way I train the poles deals with this first. I use the channel method, and used 14 poles from the start. I put guides and xpens around the poles, then gradually remove the pens, then guides, until the guides are only on the entrance and exit. So from the beginning, my guys learn "when you go in, you stay in until the end".
2. DON'T POP OUT OF THE LAST POLE. Once we have that down pat (doing the whole line with only the entrance and guides left), I work on the last pole. I do this by adding crosses at the end, weird body language by me, and obstacles that my guys love (tunnels, etc.). Once they do all these things with guides, I remove the guides and work it until they exit every time properly.
These next 2 steps on do on a very short set of poles. I don't want to confuse what I'm teaching below with above. For example, what if they nail their entry, but pop out at the 9th pole? So I keep it short (usually 6 poles).
3. CONTROL YOUR ENTRY.This isn't a huge deal with Pugs, honestly. But I do address it, just in case. With my Boxer, though, it is a HUGE deal. Dogs need to gather their stride so that can enter the poles. Some dogs go in the first pole, but fly past the rest because they haven't learn to control their entry. I teach this by adding guides, then really revving them up so that they are on the edge of out-of-control. Once I see that they are trying to get around that pole, I remove the second guide, keeping one on the entrance. Because I'm using short sets of poles, I can put multiple sets out with fun obstacles. I might do a jump, poles, tunnel, poles, wrap jump, and back. I RACE with my dogs through these. The entrance on the poles is always fairly straight, since I don't work on entrances until #4, and I want SPEED into the poles.
4. NAIL YOUR ENTRY. Once all this is good, I work on entrances. I treat is the same as #3, but with the entrance. By now, they're used to hitting the entrance (hopefully), so it's a little easier to teach. But I start adding angles. I do an "around-the-clock" method. I get around 8-10 feet away, and send them into the poles in a widening circle (does that make sense). Once they do that with the guides, I take them away. Then I add obstacles, doing the "around-the-clock".
When I take the poles on the road, I take my guides with me. Depending on my dog's weakness, I'll use them the first time they're in a new place.
Our goal is the Nationals in October, and all he needs now is to firm up his weave poles (we do them at home, but haven't taken them on the road.) At this rate, he'll be ready.
One of the big differences is that I'm not as nervous. What a viscious circle it can be - I'm not sure he'll pay attention, I get nervous, he feeds off of the nervousness and doesn't pay attention...............!
Here's a shot of Arnie sitting on his food bag. I was teaching him to stay on a surface while his picture was being taken, and to follow my finger for a good angle. The food bag on the table was handy, so here he is.
Our goal is the Nationals in October, and all he needs now is to firm up his weave poles (we do them at home, but haven't taken them on the road.) At this rate, he'll be ready.
One of the big differences is that I'm not as nervous. What a viscious circle it can be - I'm not sure he'll pay attention, I get nervous, he feeds off of the nervousness and doesn't pay attention...............!
Here's a shot of Arnie sitting on his food bag. I was teaching him to stay on a surface while his picture was being taken, and to follow my finger for a good angle. The food bag on the table was handy, so here he is.
We have a judge set up for the PDCA agility trial in October 2008. His name is Mark Upshaw, and he lives in Riverside, CA.
Mark's a fairly new judge with AKC, and the agility trial that I chair in Placerville was his first non-provisional trial. I was a little worried about having him, but he was a great judge. His courses were very nice both days, with a good success rate. He's a very nice person, and easy to get along with. Most of all, he really roots for the exhibitor. He spent the whole weekend with a big smile on his face, enjoying the runs.
We're lucky to have him judging - I think you guys will all like him a lot.
A day in the life of a graphic artist in a sign shop is far from the glamorous life. But it's exactly what I like to do. It's never boring, I get to problem solve all day, and the designs fluctuate between ordinary and creative.
I'm primarily the customer service person. I answer the phone and the front counter. I love to talk to people, and could never do a job that kept me locked in front of a computer with limited human contact. The marketing position that I held at the real estate company was that sort of job. It was easy as heck, but not very stimulating. Once I put the whole thing into a system, I got bored.
All day long I answer phones, go up to the front counter, answer emails and call customers. In between, I design signs and banners. They range from the simple (Grand Opening, etc.), to the complex (trade show displays, vehicle graphics, etc.). The shop I work for is slowly moving into more complex, colorful and graphically pleasing designs. I get to design all that stuff - it definately keeps me on my toes.
On the technical side, I work on a screaming fast PC. I'm connected to our large format digital printer. That printer can print on all sorts of material, from banners to canvas to adhesive-backed vinyl to window mesh to magnetic material. It's 52" across, and on a roll, so the sky's the limit on size. I also design for our vinyl cutter. We usually design for a combination of both of these mediums.
Once it's printed or plotted, it gets applied to all sorts of material - banners, wooden signs, aluminum, plexiglass and vehicles. I don't do much of the actual production. That gets left to Mark and Pam. Pam does most of the vinyl application, while Mark handles the "big" stuff. He's tall, so logistically he can handle more than us girls. He also screen prints signs, which is definitely an acquired skill, and one that I have no desire to acquire.
We also do a lot of onsight installations. Digging posts, applying lettering to store windows, and putting up lettering onto buildings, we do it all, really.
Once of the fun services that we provide is ad specialty items, that we dye sublimate. It's some sort of chemical process that puts the image directly into the material. This means that the product is very permanent and very bright. We've started to do more and more of this type of product, and have been going to dog shows to spread the word. If you want to take a look at what it is, visit http://photos.screamingk9.com/GalleryThu
I also design custom pug and boxer designs on the side, which I put on my cafepress site. There's no designs that show those breeds doing agility and obedience, so a few years ago I started designing for that specific sport. You can see them at www.cafepress.com/pugbox.
I don't consider myself extraordinarily talented, but I do OK. LOL
Well, that's it on what I do besides train dogs.
As much as I love training and showing my dogs, that's not the only thing that I do. In fact, I choose not to make my living through dog training. Not everyone is the same, and in fact one of my best friends is a professional dog trainer. But I know I wouldn't be able to do that. If I "had" to take a student or client on, I would lose the relaxation I get from training my dogs.
I love to train my dogs. Seeing the tiniest improvement, those lightbulb moments, the excitement when we race to get a jackpot is a big stress reliever for me. The worse day I've had at work means I'm more likely to train my dog at night. And I train my dogs a LOT in the winter - I hate the dark long days, and training perks me up.
So the way I earn my keep is through graphic design. I always knew that is what I'd do, although when I was in high school I had no idea that the field would be so computer-oriented. I attended Arizona State University as a Fine Arts major, but that isn't really what I wanted to do. I don't paint, sculpt or sketch. So after 3 years of struggling to make pretty art, I left and attended a trade school. It was definitely more what I was looking for, and taught me the basics of the field. It was pre-computer also, but that really worked to my advantage. I learned the old fashioned way to design and produce art, so when computers finally came along the year or so after I graduated, I was able to jump into desktop publishing.
I am lucky that I started out in computers when I did. I can remember when the graphic programs didn't even have spell checks. I can't imagine how difficult it is to learn these complex programs now. I had the luxury of growing with the technology.
I'm also a die-hard Mac person. I had one of the original Macs, and until 9 months ago, that's the only computer I used. But last year I decided to get a laptop, and couldn't afford the Mac that I needed to do design on the road. The line between Mac and PC had blurred over the years, but if you have a Mac, you know there's nothing like that computer. Someday I will have another one!
Through the years, I've worked mostly at print shops, although I've spent time in ad specialty companies and an inhouse real estate marketing department. Right now, I work in a sign shop, which is really just printing on a larger scale. The shop I work for does all kinds of signage and vehicle graphics, as well as t-shirts, ad specialties, and some printing.
I'll write more about exactly what my day consists of tomorrow.....
There's about 200 different ways to train a teeter, I swear. The current "style" is to have your dog run as fast as possible to the end, stand with all four feet at the very end, ride it to the bottom, then exit quickly. I think that's an awesome way to train, and a blast to witness when done that way.
Unfortunately, this sort of performance doesn't always take into consideration size, weight, build or confidence of each dog. At the top of the scale, I don't think that a large dog can run to the end before it starts to tip. At the bottom end, I don't think that a very light dog can hang on for the bang if they ride it down. Each teeter is different, and some light dogs would ride to the bottom light as a feather. But others would drop like rocks, and bounce right off.
Some "slinky" dogs, like Border Collies, can lower their center of gravity quickly and ride the teeter just fine. But an upright type of dog, that doesn't "fold" quickly, would take all of the impact on those legs.
And some dogs just can't do it like that mentally. They lack the confidence to blast to the end. Their fear is very real, and when the teeter is raised enough, the tip point makes them hesistate. So a handler works and works to get them confident on "their" teeter, but when they get to a different teeter (like at a trial), it's scary again, and they jump off.
Others have too much confidence. They have no sense of self-preservation, and ignore the tip point altogether. The teeter drops out from under them, and they just leap. Again, in practice you have some sense of control, but may lose it at a trial.
That's not to say every dog can't learn to run to the end. Sure they can. Any dog can be taught to do just about anything. But is it the best way for every dog? I don't think so. Just like you take your dog into consideration when teaching the aframe and dogwalk, you need to do the same on the teeter.
So, your dog hesitates at the tip point? Let them - at least they're not too scared to get on. Just teach them to tip it quickly, then race off the end. Don't baby them. Just work it into your performance. Your dog takes the obstacle too recklessly? Teach them the bang game on the teeter. Rock the teeter back and forth, with them running end to end. At a trial, they'll wait just a little, in case you're planning on taking the teeter backwards. Your straight-legged dog looks uncomfortable when it bangs? Let them run to a point that's comfortable for them, then they run off the end. Their career will last longer. Your tiny dog bounces off the end? Again, let them run to the point that they don't flip off, then run on.
The fact is, whatever teeter performance you decide on will only become solid after thousands of repititions. And you can decide what performance you get. Don't be pressured into doing it "the" way. Just have your dog perform the teeter as quickly and happily as they can, and practice it over and over and over.
I've had many types of teeter performances with my dog. None have been "run to the end" types. My Boxers run to a point that the teeter tips for them, then they run off. I've never had a flyoff, and my dogs always make time. Levi HATES things moving under his feet, so he slowly tips the teeter. It's never affected his times, and because he does some quickly and some very timidly, I can only imagine that he senses differences that I can't comprehend. Puck is the "hey, I can keep moving without tipping the teeter AT ALL" type. I taught him to run to the point that he starts to tip it, he hangs on, then races off. And Arnie is being taught to run to the end and hang on. But at the halfway point, he tips it, then runs to the end. It's fast, secure and easy on his body.
I think the teeters an obstacle that can make or break your dog's career. Not because they fail it, but because our training methods can create such fear and anxiety that it can hold your dog back for years after a bad experience in the ring. It's worth the time it takes to teach it well, tailoring it to your dog.
RESCUE UPDATE
I wrote last week about a new foster dog that I have. Her name is Layla, and she was labelled a resource guarder, aggressive towards large dogs, and fearful. Well, none of those is true. She's an absolute doll, and is handling life here just fine.
Not much happening with the Specialty. I'm waiting to hear back from the judge that I really want to get, and he won't be around for another week. He's just checking his schedule, so we'll see what happens.
The location is reserved, and I'm just waiting for the park department to get me a contract. They're really backed up, but I'm on the books and in the line for paperwork.
Being a control freak, I'm a little nervous about the location of the trial. My mom is coming out to California (from New York) for 2 months. She retired over a year ago, and I'm her yearly trek to nice weather. I love my mom, and get along great with her. And it sure is nice to have a perfectly clean house, laundry washed and folded, and dinner on the table when I get home from work (you'll have to get in line to borrow her - she's a popular guest, I tell ya).
A few years ago, she went all over the foothills looking for an agility spot for my kennel club's trial, so she knows what I need to put on a trial. When she comes out here, she's spending 2 weeks in the Ontario area visiting friends. While she's there, I'm sending her to scope the place out and take pictures. When I get them, I'll put them up here.
She'll be at the specialty in October. She and a friend are taking the train from New York to visit, and they've scheduled their trip so that my mom can stay for the Nationals. She will have a blast! And will be put to work, for sure. She's quite the "hospitality type", so she may be wearing that hat.
Well, that's it for now. I'll keep you all posted. I have to go make my hotel reservation - I keep putting it off!!!
Laurie
www.cafepress.com/pugbox
www.screamingk9.com
This year changed the dynamic at my house a bit. Over the last 3 years I've lost 5 senior pugs. Then almost 2 weeks ago I lost Tango, and the ages and mobility in my house changed. I can't remember when I've had 4 dogs in my house. I can't remember when all my dogs could walk outside on their own. I can't remember when every dog in my house was housetrained. I can't remember the last time all of my dogs could jump onto the couch. I can't remember when nobody needed medication (well, not quite there yet, since Puck's still on antibiotics).
I many ways it's nice. My house is cleaner, and I'm sure it smells better. I don't have to carry anyone. They can all hear me (they don't always LISTEN......) But in some ways it's just not right. I miss the sweet little pug bodies all curled up together on the dog bed. I miss the tap-tap-tap of nails on the floor as they wander around aimlessly.
But I'm sure that will change shortly. We're desparately short of foster homes. I'd love a break, but I just can't take one. Since June, I've had 3 pugs come through here. One stayed almost six months. Skeeter was turned in to the shelter when his owner got a new boyfriend. She'd had him since he was 8 weeks old, and at 6 he went to the pound. He was a handful (had apparently gotten away with murder, and came at you with teeth flying if he didn't get his way). But luckily pugs don't have teeth that do damage, and I'm more stubborn than he was (20 minutes arguing about whether he could stay on the couch. I won.) I loved that dog, and he's in a good home. I get phone calls every once in awhile (I really "get" him, so his new mom calls for insight. His big problem is that he's brilliant.), and will continue to get them. These dogs are my responsibility for life, so I always answer the call. The last one to go was Darwin. He was turned in by his family because the new nanny wouldn't clean up dog poop. He was by far the easiest foster I've ever had. He was here 2 months, and walked into the house and onto the couch, and never gave me any trouble. When I talked to his potential parents, they kept asking about any issues he had. Barking? Nope. Marking? Nope. Food aggression? Nope. They were so excited to get him, they drove hours to meet me so that he could have Christmas with them.
And today I got a new girl. Also an owner turn-in, she's just a doll. She was taken to the shelter 4 days after Christmas, and the shelter called us for help. She was described as food aggressive, a resource guarder and terrified/aggressive with large dogs. Well, she's sleeping at my feet right now. No sign of aggression, issues, fear - nothing. Even with Arnie humping her, she just looked at him. She even gave Snap a few licks on the chin.
A question I'm asked a lot is how I can let them go. I think it's easy. Not every time (I have kept my share of fosters - Puck, Frosty, Beth, Little Bit, Winston, Cutie, Spud, Oscar and Arnie), but more often than not. I've had Pugsley's (about 10 LOL), Mae, Lindy, Buddy, Kai, Skeeter, Arne, and many more I can't even remember names of. Some stay a long time, some just overnight. But I can let them go because I know they are going to the place that they need. A home of their own. People of their own. I see them through the years, at Pug events, and they never even give me a second glance. That is success.
Kai, posing for his website photo, 2005
Short version of Tango's story: when my ex and I split up, he took Tango with him (it was his dog). Then a year later, he called to see if I would take Tango back. Tango had to stay in a separate area of his house, and had no fenced yard. His life was consisting of a crate, seclusion, leash walking, and sitting in a car. To top it off, he wasn't getting his thyroid medication, and it was affecting his health severely. I took Tango back, and with lots of care, he got better and better. Sadly, he also started showing signs of DM, a neurological disease that is kind of like MS for dogs.
Tango was a Boxer, and NOT the dog I would have picked for a pet, let alone an agility dog. But my ex wanted him, and I trained him while my ex showed him. After awhile, I ended up doing most of the showing, and it wasn't easy. Tango was fearful, timid, not confident and afraid of men. He was incredibly athletic, however, and did well in agility as long as nothing scary happened. We stopped showing in the standard ring because he got spooky when the judge came close to see the contacts. He had 2 legs in Excellent Jumpers Preferred when he went to live with my ex, and never went into the ring again.
After he returned to me, Tango became my shadow, and we forged an incredibly strong bond. The last year was a constant assesment of how Tango was doing, feeling, and acting. He had good days and bad, and for the most part was either carried or helped along with a sling. He wore booties, and always had to be coaxed to eat dinner. There were rugs everywhere, to help with his traction, and soft beds in every room. He went camping over the summer, and spent a glorious weekend hobbling around the woods - his favorite place in the world. I almost put him to sleep in late August, but couldn't do it near my birthday. He lasted months more, but it was obvious right before Christmas that he was done. He was very thin, and lost control of his bladder and bowels suddenly. The horrible thing about this crappy disease is that their bodies betray them, but their mind stays sharp and alert. But seeing him fade made the decision easier, and I knew the time was right. My best friend is my vet, so Tango was surrounded by his favorite people when he went. Her Springer, who died this summer, was HIS best friend, and the two of us cried and told Tango to day hi to Idgie for us.
He taught me so much about working with the dog you have, and for that I'm grateful. The house seems so empty right now - I only have 4 dogs (I lost 2 hospice pugs over the summer, and a rescue dog I'd been fostering was adopted the week before Christmas.) But I have another foster coming in tomorrow, so things should get interesting again.
Tango - Faux Pas Exotic Rhythm, OA, OAJ, OA-P, OAJ-P, NAC, NJC, TN-N, CGC 1997-2007
The gap that reared its ugly head was a "wait" and a "go out". Levi was trained sooooo long ago, that while I taught him a "go out" (take a jump at a distance laterally from me), I kind of took it for granted after awhile. And I never taught him a startline stay - he's so low drive that I always ran with him off the line. Snap is so large and long-striding, her momentum usually takes her out over jumps at a distance. And I got REALLY lucky when I rescued her - she came with a built-in "stay". You tell her sit and stay, and she parks it until she's called to come. Any distance, and distractions - she never breaks or refuses to come.
Then along came Arnie. He came with so many issues, that I ended up screwing up distance work with him. I treat him for staying close to me all the time, to keep him from getting into trouble. No I want him to work away, and he has a hard time with that. It's also affected the "wait" - I have a set distance that is OK, but when I go just past that, he hightails to to me. I have inadvertantly taught him to stay within a certain distance of me.........now I have to undo it.
Today, I started to teach him an "out", and I'm proceeding very methodically. He has to sit while I go to the other side of the jump. Then I'll move laterally further and further to the side. The I'll stand next to the jump and do the same. Then I'll stand in front of the jump while he goes on ahead of me, as well as adding lateral distance.
The wait is a little easier, but he's very sensitive to my movements while he's sitting. I can leave him, but as soon as I lift my arm or turn to him, he runs to me. So we're working on that, and he's getting it, slowly.
The hardest thing for me with Arnie is that he learns like a Boxer. I've found that the Pugs can be trained with shades of gray - I can let a lot of things slide with them, and can reward them for just trying. The Boxers get rewarded for doing it per my criteria, and nothing if it's not done right. Any shades of gray with the Boxers, and they get sloppy. Arnie's like that, and I have to make a conscious effort to train him that way.
I love the training part of agility - way more than the showing part. It's hard to stay motivated when the weather's cold and drizzly, but knowing that the Nationals are just 10 months away keeps us plugging away.
Time to think about trophies for the trial. Outside of the usual trophies for placements in each class, we also have "special" trophies for different situations. Some of the ones in the past have been: highest scoring Novice dog, highest scoring ILP dog, etc. There's also a memorial trophy donated by Cath, in honor of Roxi, for dog and handler having the most fun - is that right?
So, if you would like to donate a special trophy, or have an idea for one, just email me at ringwise@sbcglobal.net. You won't have to get the actual trophy or ribbon - just let us know what you'd like to sponsor and we'll handle the rest. Cathy Johnson will sponsor the exhibitor ribbons (thank you), so those are covered.
And if you have any ideas of what sort of trophies to offer for the placements, in keeping with the theme of Puggywood, let me know.
That's it for now. I've added a photo of Levi looking over the Columbia River. We were on our way to the Pug Agility Nationals 2004.
Laurie Buckley
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