JJ's adoption - truncated

So - it has been a month - a month with out rain - well kind of.  It has been good enough weather to get out and we here at Lord Harrison House love our outdoor time - THAT being said?  The truncated version of JJ's adoption, started ago as told by Super Fresh J, is this; He was a hot mess, sent to LHH for some obedience and love so he could be adoptable.  He was on the euthanize list, so it was imparative he shape up. He did.  He got adopted. He never left this foster house! :-) So, enough of long "where did I come from stories" back to the blog!

We are Outside Today

Oh - you mere humans who have nothing better to do then sit and read a computer screen.  I have taken my family outside today.  I suspect JJ or mom will be back tomorrow to continue the adoption story (yawn).  Have a nice day & Carry On. -- Bodhi/Little Blonde Dog (or as I prefer, His Royal Higness)

My Life in Dog Zoo; Where I Met My Mom

When I saw my furever mom I was in the shelter, I was sleeping on the concrete.  There was a bed, but when I was trying to run across the kennel I knocked it over and then spilled my water on it. It didn’t make for the best swimming hole, but it was kind of fun, then those cute girls took it away.  I saw her walk in, a flurry of gesture and excitement and I knew, she was one of my kind.  While I didn’t really understand human English yet, I could tell she was talking quickly with authority and used her body to convey her excitement… She MUST be part pit bull I thought to myself, because she had a HUGE grin when she spoke to others and she couldn’t sit still!  She glanced my way, asking about therapy dogs she could take somewhere so I got up and pressed my nose against the cold grey fencing. Our eyes locked – she had AMAZING eyes, just like mine, I knew she saw this too “pick me pick me pick me” whatever it was this gal was doing, I wanted in!  I heard her mutter something about pit bulls, and I smelled that thing, not fear, but apprehension as she explained to the other humans that she couldn’t possibly take me, because I was a pit bull.

Now, I had been hearing this crap for awhile. As a 12 week old pup I was taken away from my dog mom and had a human who tended me, named me King and was attentive to my every need.  He was reluctant to give me that operation humans talk about, the one that is suppose to make boy dogs calm down, and I was relieved. No operation, but better, I am a terrier breed, who wants to remain calm? Sides this guy liked to play rough and was teaching me to be a “good soldier”.  Anyways, the man where we lived told him “pit bulls and other dangerous breeds aren’t allowed here”, and I began to wonder if I was supposed to be dangerous and aggressive as everyone was suggesting.   A week later I was brought to the shelter.  I was hoping it wasn’t my new home, at four months old I needed a space to run and humans to love and lick and a home and a yard and – I laid down on the concrete as the cute girls appeared.  I stood up and gave them my best suave look, I am a handsome boy, they all said so and while they were sweet – have you ever lived in a shelter?  It’s like an indoor zoo for dogs!!  There are many shapes, sizes, breeds and some get to live two in a cage. But it is cold and the humans come and go and for me, there was this “being a pit bull”.

Then there was this – when you live at the shelter?  They make you have that operation!!! I really couldn’t fight it – one of the cute girls came in, talked real softly to me and gave me a shot. As I walked with her to a place called the clinic, I realized she had slipped me something but I felt warm and happy and sleepy.  When I woke up I had a cone around my neck and a pinch in my groin, and I was sleeping, on the concrete. I’m not sure what they hoped to improve by giving me that operation but I was ready to run and jump and play!  Chewing up that plastic cone from the inside was the only stimulation those gals gave me!!!!  As I sit in my zoo shelter home, I watched as my neighbors one by one got adopted.  I wasn’t sure what this meant, but they never returned, and there was a lot of celebration and smiles and joy when they left with their human on a leash.  I was thinking, I need to be adopted. . .  the cute girls talked a lot in dismissive voices about buying puppies & breeders and people who make money from selling dogs.  I am pretty sure I made someone some money once, and there was talk that I might make a good fight dog and make some money – but that was at my home, these girls, at the dog zoo, would have none of that and they were disgusted with people who purchased dogs. . .  So, I decided, being adopted was my mission.

I am a very determined young pup and got myself adopted!  We went home and I had new toys and my very own soft bed and while I had to go back to the clinic at the dog zoo for some shots, I knew I was home and would never be going back to the dog zoo again.  We would go running every morning and I felt safe and happy and loved. I am not sure if humans feel what I felt, but I would do anything for my human, she was always happy to see me and would be gentle when trying to teach me not to pee in the house and to stay off her dinner table.  She even let me sit in the front seat of the car when we went to get my shots.  The Dr. told my new mom that I had hip dysplasia.  There was a lot of confusion and I could tell my mom was scared and disappointed in me.  She gathered me up after the clinic women all fawned over how handsome I was and we drove home.  At home she discussed with her humans how I was going to end up costing her a lot of money in the long run and I wouldn’t be able to do all the activities she had planned for us.  I was confused,  before,  the plan was I was to make money for humans and now I was going to cost  thousands of dollars, and worse, I wasn’t going to be able to run and play and wrestle like I loved to do?!  We went in the car, drove to the dog zoo, the cute girls greeted me, some were crying.  I fell asleep on the concrete.

There was a lot of talk about how I may have a tough time getting adopted.  There was the entire I am a pit bull strike. Now I had a genetic disorder that might make people not want to adopt me, thinking I am defective!  The cute girls would take me outside and even some nice volunteers would run with me in a small yard, on a leash. But, I was frustrated, and scared. I was a 5 month old pup who had been in two homes and the dog zoo twice!  I wanted to run and run and lick someone’s face but no one had the proper time to do these things with me. I started dancing, to get my energy out, but the cute girls laughed at me and the humans who came to the dog zoo looking to adopt were put out by my dance, they called humping. I get excited, I like to dance, what can I say? One day after a particularly good run, as the volunteer dog walker was walking out of my pen I tried to get his attention and nipped his arm. I didn’t want to hurt him, I wanted his attention, and I didn’t want him to leave. I wanted him to adopt me. Apparently this was not a good thing I did; because the cute girls were talking about I would never get adopted. . .  I laid on the concrete, wondering what would happen to me next…

 

(Hey all!  JJ’s Mom here, as JJ was telling me his Dog Zoo story I realized it may be a days long post, so here is part one, as told by JJ before we head out to dog park!)

 

Somewhere between my first two posts and today I have: travelled cross country several times, made new great friends, dumped really toxic old ones, had my heart broken, stretched the limits of my marriage, worked at an animal shelter, left the shelter, volunteered as the National Finance Director for UniteWomen.org and then, left and led a coup against it!!! Seems, starting new adventures and abandoning them are a habit for me – judge not! I lovingly go into encounters, not always choosing what is healthiest, having to leave when the toxicity proves to be soul damaging and endangering! I have pretty much perfected the cut and run muscle, when I feel I am into something toxic. The muscle set I am working on now is the don’t-fall-into-toxic-in-the-first-place -ya –big- dummy, set.

As I return to the “Bark Side of the Moon” I am fret with fear and inhibitions; feelings that I will be judged or critiqued. It has taken months for me to sit down and realize that I need to do this, regardless. This morning as I pulled an inspiration card from my tarot set, I am reminded. The 8 of swords was this morning’s vibe – and not surprisingly here is where I am guided: “you feel caged, trapped, and restricted. You will have a tendency to sabotage yourself, and the walls & fences you have created – none of it is real; it is all in your mind. Don’t lock yourself away; share your thoughts & ideas with friends. This is a time for learning.” Hmmmmm, fences.

 So (insert a few big deep breaths here) I am embarking (heh heh) on this, my personal insights & journey with my canine crew. I find often that through their antics and interactions I find my voice, the one that heeds thought and rumination, rather than the one that reacts and just wants to blabber. Wondrously, sometimes their voices, speak to me. . . (Grin)

Dog blog is back! My dogs are my life. I wake with them, fall asleep to them, spend my day wrestling, cleaning up after, walking, running, admonishing, petting, kissing and loving them. They are three distinct personalities, with three very unique voices and messages to the world. And then there is my voice. Anytime one visits the Bark side, they are gonna hear from one of us, if not all three. For sake of clarity, today’s blog is the primer of the four voices that reside at Lord Harrison House (we live on the street Lord Harrison, thus the la tee dah name of our house- hey if Rhett can have Tara I can have LHH!)

The Alpha in our house, the human voice is me, Xtina. I am prone to long rambles that segue into longer rambles, wherein I will always try to make you believe I am making a long story short… the truth? They are all long stories and shortening them to a certain extent ruins the message, so to make a long intro short (grin). You will know my voice; overly serious and philosophical, trying to draw conclusions from comparisons and always always always digging deeper into the meaning of things, my philosophy on where I stand is basically, love me or leave me and if ya don’t like me, eff off. My time is short and precious, as is yours, therefore, if I am not for you, kindly move on.

Bodhi aka Little Blonde Dog is our 10 yr old Shih Tzu, he is the Alpha DOG and will not waste a moment to exert it. Bodhi’s motto on most things is his way or the highway. When it comes to love and liking him he can and will state time and time again “you sir or madam will be summoned when I wish to let you love me”. And you will stand in line to love him when he requests the honor of your presence, because he IS just that adorable!

Ms. Mitzi, or Baby Ponydog is our 3 yr old Harlequin Great Dane. She is the best girl in the world. My only formally trained dog; she is a doll with her big goofy feet and huge pink nose always in your face. She will look at you coyly and beg you to love her “please please puuhhhllleeeezzeeeee love me” as she bats her eyelashes at you and tries to sit your lap. You will love her, immediately because never has there been a sweeter spirit than our Mitzi girl!

The baby is Super Fresh Jazzy J, or JJ. our rescue Pit Bull who just turned a year in January. His adoption story to follow. He is our bulldozer pup. JJ’s philosophy on loving and accepting him? “I’m gonna love you bitch” as he throws his 80 lb. body all over yours. No kidding, you WILL love him, if for no other reason you cannot get away.

They are full of love and fun & silly dog shaming antics; which we share. Always, as you reflect on us, look at yourself and reflect. It’s my mission through our love & sharing to have a better understanding of myself and help others you feel hope, forgiveness and your “humanness” and well, laugh at plain ole dog stuff too. So if you are ready, come join our pack!

Im Looking at the Dog in the Mirror

You have heard the adage “owners look like their dogs” or vice versa? I have several friends at Dog Park for which this is true: Cloudy, the boxer is sleek and thin moving with a quickness and grace that mirrors her mom. Gee is an Australian Sheppard who is fluffy and rotund monitoring the park, much like her dad. Then there’s Kennedy the American Bulldog, short and stout with an open friendly smiling face just like his dad. Even I at one time had my long hair pulled back at the bangs, featuring my huge eyes with a little bump at the crown of head – which made me and my little Shih Tzu Bodhi look like twins!  What I have observed moreover though is how dogs mirror aspects of their owners’ personalities. Naturally certain human personalities are attracted to certain breeds for what they embody physically and trait wise.  I am attracted to high energy, social dogs.  I also need a canine companion that seeks out my approval and affection.

When I watch my little blonde dog, Bodhi, chase his squirrel down the hall I am amazed at the endless energy he has and the grin that spreads across his face as his people laugh and cheer kudos to his cuteness.  He makes friends everywhere we go and wins hearts instantly with his sparkly brown eyes.  Many of my friends and family have described me much as I have Bodhi.  So is it fair to say he is my “mini-me”?  If we watch our children, the fur babies and the human ones – we can see this.  My fur children are social and eager to know others because I am.  My Baby Ponydog is coy, because I taught her coy fetch games.  Little blonde dog craves attention but will sit back and wait to be noticed, and then turn on the charm.  They are both impatient and we work on THAT trait together.The tiniest glimpse of ourselves in their embodiment. 

So we should look further into ourselves and what we give to others.  Are we tense, closed, negative or maybe a tad too neutral? What do your “mini me’s” say about you?  What have you gifted them that they show to the world?  When I am at Dog Park and I see the way in which the fur children handle themselves, I am not surprised that the people stand in a social circle and really get to know one another.  We are curious, we are open minded, we aren’t afraid to speak our minds or correct one another’s fur children with firm loving guidance.  We smile and laugh and share anecdotes - as our fur children greet one another and all the people who enter the park. Some days it truly is a utopian society – no wonder we never want to leave…

I Find It at Dog Park

Ms. Mitzi woke this morning ready to go, never mind that at 6:30 A. M. our daily run was going to be conducted in 80 degree heat!   She's a good girl; waits and sits as instructed while I place her gentle leader on her snout and off we go. It's always the same with her. We get a block from the house and she gently places my hand behind her two canine teeth expecting me to "tug boat" her prancing 146lb body along my run. This is cute and gets many waves and smiles from people passing by - but after half a block the "prancing pony eating hand" routine is old and I am in search of a phalange relief in form of a stick.  Mitzi is always good for at least one stick on our walks.  Training Mitzi the one word used over and over again is consistent. Dogs like to know what to expect – or rather we as their people like to know what to expect and impose this on their little animal nature. Animals are pretty predictable in their relationships. All animals. . .

We begin relationships following our own patterns, “trained” into us from the time we were born. As our personalities develop and we are allowed to make our own mistakes we formulate “growth” and experience and decide having learned our lessons we are better for it. We are, for awhile. . . Until we fall back into our training and repeat our scenarios, healthy and unhealthy, all over again. Obviously it is the unhealthy ones that plague us.  The question for me is, how do I skip the “Scooby snack” life is handing me and stay on course for the healthy wholesome relationships?  Some people find this in their religion, education, gym, careers. . .  I find it at Dog Park.

Relationships at Dog Park are easy: There is a double gate, the one that allows you safe entrance, to get your bearings, showing the other occupants from across the fence what you’re made of. There are the curious fence greeters, the ones who have to rush and let you know they are vying for top dog position. There are the playful ones who are good for a run and some mischief. Even the ones that hang back and act aloof, they are noticing your entrance and presentation. Without much intervention or rules when you step into that grassy arena everyone is aware and open to accept and tolerate one another. At Dog Park when one encounters another who is not good for them, they stay away. Not only that, they commit to memory bad vibes, hurtful playmates and “dirty dogs” and give them plenty of space.

Ms. Mitzi knows who doesn’t like her, who she threatens, who she feels threatened by or who she doesn’t play well with.  She walks away from the enticing adrenaline rush that trouble can bring and she moves forward to find the “pals” whom she can count on for healthy interactions: running, wrestling, resting in the shade, sharing a slobbery kiss with over the water bucket.  She prances proud when left to her solitary activities and when invited to run and breathe and play she accepts graciously (if not gracefully).  When it is time to go, there are short goodbyes, no regrets and the promise of the next enjoyable interactions.

Dog Park double gates live within my heart and mind.  Many times I throw caution to the wind and go barreling through the gates, not utilizing the safety and happiness that boundary, predictability, consistency can bring – I seek out the worst interactions, and for what end? Am I not a graceful Dane who revels in the joy, peace and calm that all the above brings? Aren’t we all?