Archives for December 2019

As the minutes tick away to the close of not only this year, but this decade, I am among the many who feel the need to reflect.  I’ve been struggling to sum up my feelings in a succinct yet profound way.  I like words, all of them.  I am told I have a knack for them.  My feelings about 2019 drawing to a close can be summed up in only two.

No, not those two.  Those two words work for other years.

As 2019 closes my overwhelming feeling is THANK YOU.

• Thank you to my family for supporting the beautiful chaos that is my life and for being of this earth.
• Thank you to my friends for showing up when the chips were down and allowing me to return the favor.
• Thank you to my assistant trainer who I didn’t realize I needed but now can’t imagine my business without.
• Thank you to my clients who have become another family and continue to help our pack grow.
• Thank you to my students for all the challenges and triumphs you provide.
• Thank you to my dogs who love me unconditionally and inspire me to become the person they think I am.
• Thank you to my body for pushing through 47 years of abuse to keep me putting one foot in front of the other every single day.
• Thank you to the tribe that keeps me afloat; body, mind and soul.
• Thank you to winemakers and modern pharmacology because obvi.
• Thank you to the very air that I breathe in freedom and liberty in the great US of A.
• Thank you to God for making all things possible.

Thank you.

May 2020 bring clear vision of the path to success.  Much love to one and all.

Guest Blogger, Abbie, is mom to two of the sweetest little girls in the pack.

I met my husband in 2015.  When I moved in, which is a story all its own, he had a dog named Tucker.  Fast forward to 2017, I had puppy fever.  I knew we were going to be a long-term family, and I was ready for our family to grow.  I had been asking and asking for a puppy, but I kept getting vetoed.

On November 17, 2017 on my way home from work, I stopped by the Adams County SPCA.  They had just received a transport of dogs from Tennessee, and in this group of dogs, I found her.  There were two girls about 12 weeks old, sisters named “Thelma” and “Louise.”  I knew one of them was going to come home with me, I just couldn’t pick.  I asked my husband to stop by on his way home from work, along with a photo of me with one of the girls, and he begrudgingly agreed.  When he arrived, we got both of the girls in a room with us and discussed the pros and cons of a puppy (again) and if he had to pick one, which personality he liked better. Unbeknownst to us, another couple had already decided that they wanted to take “Louise” home that day, but that actually worked out for the best because, “Thelma” was our top choice.  My now husband knew that there would have to be an application, a visit with our existing dog Tucker, and that he was planning on using that time to talk me out of getting the puppy…  But lucky for both of us, that’s not how it worked out.  He did not know I had already completed an application and had it approved, months before.  The manager of the Adams County SPCA and my now husband actually know each other, and considering she knew him, she knew his dog Tucker, and the sister “Louise” was being adopted, the manager didn’t want 12 week old “Thelma” to be all alone at the shelter if she could have a good home to go to.  When I heard “you can take her home tonight, if you want…” I honestly stopped listening. I signed the paperwork in a blissful blur and took my new baby home.  And that’s the story of how we got Lexi!

On September 9, 2018, I married the love of my life.  The following week on our honeymoon, my brother who was dog sitting for us, called to tell me that the kids were playing, and Tucker yelped and hid under the table… and had since been limping – which was extremely odd.  When we returned, Tucker didn’t stop limping.  It seemed that he was changing paws, so we tried to give it time – he was kind of a drama king and would fake not feeling well for attention.  When the limping didn’t stop, we took him to the vet three times, before I went elsewhere for a second opinion.  The new vet did an Xray after noticing muscle atrophy in his right shoulder, and a lump above his elbow.  It was our worst fears coming to fruition. He was diagnosed with bone cancer… we discussed options, and on December 4^th, 2018 – the day before his 8^th birthday, after living the best few weeks of his life, Tucker crossed the rainbow bridge.

Lexi fell into a depression, and I would be lying if I said we didn’t also.  But Lexi had never been an only dog.  We adjusted to a new normal, but I knew eventually we would need to get a second dog again. Lexi started to get over excited every time she would see another dog.  She wanted to play so badly, and playing with her humans just wasn’t the same.  We did everything we could to give her a fulfilled life.  Lexi got to go to the beach with us, we tried to get her to dog parks (before we knew better).  And it was one time in the spring 2019, my husband and I took her to the dog park, that a shift happened.  No one else was at the dog park, Lexi seemed fine, but when a dog from the houses close by got loose and ran over to the outside of the fence, he saw Lexi light up for the first time since Tucker passed.  Her eyes were bright, her face was smiling, her tail was waggy, she wanted to play.  In that moment, my husband understood why I was again asking for another puppy, despite the loss of Tucker.  He told me that I could start looking.

Anyone that knows me, knows when I research, I really research.  And I obsess over it until I find my answer.  Well, with that green light, I spent all afternoon, night, and early morning, looking for adoptable rescues, putting in applications, trying to find the right baby for our family.  And then I found her.

Thanks to Facebook, a friend had shared a rescue page called K9 Crazy Puppy Rescue out of Camp Hill. They had a litter of boxer mixes from Mississippi that they called the “V” litter because all of the pups had given “V” names. I fell in love with their personalities that shown through in the photos, especially “Vienna.”

When my husband woke up on the morning of June 2, 2019 he said, “so what have you found?” and I responded, “do you want to go meet a puppy today?”  He begrudgingly agreed, and we went to Camp Hill, “just to look.”

When we arrived, we spoke with the woman who runs the rescue, and discussed with her my thoughts, what we were looking for, and that I was drawn to “Vienna.”  She brought “Vienna” out to the yard to meet us, and the pup immediately was so excited and happy that she started peeing, climbed my husband (still peeing), and kissed him like crazy.  We had been chosen, we didn’t have a choice. The woman that runs the rescue asked if we wanted to meet any of the others, but we declined – when you’ve been chosen, there isn’t a choice.  I signed the paperwork in a blissful blur and took our new baby home.  And that’s the story of how we got Sasha!

For as much as my husband didn’t want more dogs, he loves them and they love him.  And as much as I want to save every dog that comes across my path, I know that our family is currently complete.  With Lexi at 2 years old, and Sasha at 10 months old, I’m hoping that there will be a LONG time before anything happens to either of them.  They are the children we would otherwise not have, and they are our everything.

Please enjoy the story of the mighty Thorin by guest blogger, Hilary.

Life was pretty good in 2015. I had a house, a secure job, people that I loved, and my pets. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for homeless pets and such was the case in the early part of 2015. I decided I wanted to give Izzy the experience of raising a puppy – a dog she could grow up with. Since we already had rescued two, adult chihuahuas, I thought adopting a third as a puppy would be ideal. I began my search and came across an ad for a litter of chihuahua puppies in Mississippi (see below). These puppies were with a veterinarian, so I called and spoke with her. I remember her specifically telling me that they were chihuahuas and would be “ten pounds full grown”. I filled out the paperwork, paid my fees and anxiously awaited when he would be transported North.

Click here to continue with more pictures.

By, Guest Blogger Zach

This is a special blog for me as it’s both my first and very near to my heart.

Hello all, I’m Zach.  If you don’t know me, I’m Mia’s assistant trainer.  If you’ve been following Phoenix’s story you’ve probably seen pictures of the balding, (yes, balding not bald, deal with it), gentleman with Phoenix; that’s me.

I have to admit that I have failed Phoenix.  Although she wasn’t fostering in my home I have spent everyday with her and to put it simply: she is my foster fail.  For those unfamiliar with the term “foster failure” it means that the person who was fostering a dog fell in love with her and decided to keep her.  So yes, I have failed Phoenix.  It’s my greatest failure and a badge I will wear with pride.

I approached training Phoenix with the mindset of every other board and train: I would do my best to help them understand our basic and more advanced commands.  It’s no secret that working with the same dog day in and day out you start to develop real affection and saying goodbye is always a little hard, but I do so gladly knowing they return happier and more confident to a family who loves them.  This answers the first of two questions Mia has asked me since deciding to adopt Phoenix: “What makes this one different?”  She had no one who was eagerly awaiting her return; there was no one else, all she knew of love is what she found in Mia’s house.

The other question is: “What changed?”  Why didn’t I want her immediately?  I went in knowing she was leaving and thinking I didn’t have the room for her.  There was already had a family who was interested in her so I tried not to get too attached.  This was my first failure.  I didn’t just read about how she was opening up and showing her true personality and confidence.  I lived it with her; her first smile, the first time she willingly came out of her crate when called, the first time she engaged in play. These were not just awesome moments for her, they were awesome moments for me, too.

I let myself get attached even though I knew there was a family that eagerly awaiting news of her progress with hopes of adoption so I put the thoughts out of my mind and did my best to be professional.  I went back and forth in my head and accepted that she would have that loving family.  We just needed to see how she reacted around younger kids who were playing and just being kids.  She didn’t bite or lunge, but she was clearly agitated and didn’t want to be around them.  Ultimately, Mia and I decided that at this time she wasn’t ready to be in a family with younger children.  It was tough to tell her prospective family this news, as you can imagine and I’m glad Mia played the bad guy.

I allowed myself to acknowledge the hurt this family felt; I’m truly sorry Phoenix wasn’t ready yet.  This is the “what” that changed, she no longer had someone who was immediately ready to take her.  I had already fallen in love with Phoenix so I asked Mia what she thought of me as her forever family.  I explained all my doubts and my hopes, I wanted Mia’s honest opinion. I was thrilled when she said that a single guy in his early thirties would be a good match.  There was no hesitation this time and Mia and I put everything into motion to ready her for my adoption.  

Today I signed her paperwork.

I’m happy to continue this amazing journey with Phoenix.  I’m excited by my new, added responsibility and can’t wait to introduce Phoenix to her forever home.  I want to thank Char Wills for giving me this chance, Mia Semuta for showing her tremendous heart and taking on Phoenix’s foster, my pack for always welcoming new dogs with open paws and everyone who took the time out of their day to care about an unknown dog who was dealt a bad hand.

Thank you for following along on this blog as she completed the Good Dog Board and Train program.  Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.

See One.  Do One.  Teach One.

That’s how we roll in the pack.  Dogs learn best from one another so we make it a paramount goal to surround our students with well-mannered, balanced dogs.  To put it even more succinctly: Monkey See, Monkey Do.

Today was Phoenix’s turn to step up into the mentor role.  She assisted in a temperament test- Congratulations, Jake!  We will see you in class, buddy!  When Baby Blake arrived for a two-day stay she was welcoming and helpful and finally she attended a graduation practice this evening as both a prospective graduate and a distraction.  She continues to amaze all who see her progress.  Although “stay” continues to be her kryptonite I am certain she will conquer it!

Please hold her and her medical team in your loving thoughts and prayers tomorrow as she is being spayed; this is the last step in her adoption journey.  I will keep her with me until she has recovered and, paws crossed, graduates before she will go home to her new family. 

Yep, she’s got one.  The paperwork will all be signed tomorrow and Phoenix’s new family is free to make the grand announcement.  There will be a 50-pound, velvety soft hole in my heart when she’s gone but I know she’s leaving me with a bright future and heading to an amazing life.

Please follow along on this blog as she completes the Good Dog Board and Train program.  Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.

Rub-a-dub-dub; muddy dogs in the tub.

Phoenix and her pal, Willow, had a playdate with the country brothers today.  It was a muddy mess and they had the time of their lives!  Afterward we took them to Pet Valu for a bath because…mud.  Also, she’s being spayed on Thursday so the fewer germs, the better.

She was just brilliant today.  She has a strong command of all the basic commands and tomorrow she will join a couple of packmates in a practice-run of the graduation test.  All signs point to a smashing success. 

Her resource guarding really seems to have disappeared.  She has been taking her meals next to Pony and Gigi for about a week now, she shares a water bowl with no problems, she also shares toys as well as surrenders them when asked.  Her aversion to squeaky toys seems to be gone although my own has reached a tipping point.  Many thanks to Pony for desensitizing her to them but they are put away again.

Teeth cleaning is still a battle but wow, she loves to be brushed!  Loves it more than she loved the bath but she doesn’t care about having her ears cleaned.  The next hurdle I want to attempt is nail trimming.  Now taking bets on how that’s going to go…

Please follow along on this blog as she completes the Good Dog Board and Train program.  Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.