And More Updates

Yep that's me and Scrappy! Who also has a huge Pit Bull smile on, maybe cause he knows Spring has Sprung! We had just come back from a long and leisurely walk on the beach and he was about to settle down in the sun for a little nap when the camera came out and he was ready for his close up! Such a clown that boy! You'd never know that the chubby little bugger was capable of so much chaos!
We have grown to know each other rather well these past few months. An example; when Scrap takes a dump it's a major event! And he likes spectator's! I do not! enough said there!
Maybe you can't tell by the pics but he's not very tall, about knee high to me and he has no tail so his bum is kinda out there. About knee high! So if you see us walking and there's a brown stain on my knee you can safely assume he has wiped!
He is my sister's dog and any one who knows her would not need to know that, as he is a reflection of her personality! He is smart and I mean smart! He can easily out wit me before I even know what's up. He is a little clumsy, I figure it's those damn short legs of his but it doesn't stop him from giving it his all and that sometimes gets him in to trouble. Like falling of picnic tables on his head, or smacking face first in to windows! One day he got high centered in the Jeep and squealed like a little pig until I pulled his legs free and rescued him.I had some trouble cause I was laughing so hard!
Deana taught him to say, "I love you" and he uses that trick to get my undivided attention. Kinda hard to talk on the phone or drive when you got a big old dog muzzle in your face howling out,"I love You"!
He has been a learning experience and a joy to care for and I must admit that one day when he is reunited with his girls, and goes to live with them, I will miss him very much, there will be an empty spot in my heart. But I won't let it sadden me because that's the ultimate goal here is to see them all back together again happy and healthy the way it should be.

I am glad that I can share my experiences here in this way, and I hope that some one finds my writings helpful. If not I hope they at least got a smile out of it I know I will be smiling for years to come. I intend to continue my work with dogs and people, helping to make a clearer understanding of how a dog thinks, learns, and loves to the people who love them and to the people who don't yet understand why we love them and how rewarding and fulfilling the relationship with a good dog can be.
I will go on one dog at a time educating any who will listen. Why? Because it's worth it.

More Updates

The sun came out and shone down on some of the shiniest, healthiest dogs on the beach! And they smiled back at it glad to be loved by such a powerful force of nature. Well, here he is the picture of health! Love has found a way! No, I can't solve world hunger, or stop needless death, and I doubt highly that I can do much about the financial state of the world but I can change the doomed life of a neglected and misunderstood Rottweiler! Look at the obvious changes that have occurred here! From a crazed and vicious killer on a ten foot tow chain to sweet floppy love monster in my lap! Did you know that when Rottweiler's are happy they do a little dance? Have you ever seen one smile?
He has been with us  a few months now and I have finally gotten his diet perfected and he has put on a bit of weight, his eyes are clear, his coat is soft and shiny and thick. He is stronger and his endurance level has improved by a good 60%. His attitude has softened and he is calmer by far. We have begun to understand each others language and that has made a huge difference. Thank you to all who gave advice and help when we needed it most.

Rick and Fatboy have always been friends but their bond has grown stronger and they have a language all their own now. Rick has discovered that Fatty likes to be up high on a perch, so he has provided him with box platforms at 3 different locations so that he always has a look out spot! He still has his favorite spot right under the window closest to us though.
I just bought him a new halter for walking and we are going to fit him this afternoon. I have never used one like it so I will have to review and rate it later.

Sometimes the smallest things can make worlds of difference, just try love.

Spring has Sprung on the Dog Farm

So I will start off by apologizing for such a long block of time in between updates. I have no real excuse except I have been busy with life and all of it's complexities. News on the Dog Farm? Well, Rebel turned 7 years old on February 5, 2011. Seems like only yesterday he was that crazy little bundle of energy that had needle sharp teeth and no end to his puppy terror! When they come in to our lives we never think about the short time they actually have with us. I'm not burying my pup yet just sort of noticing that he doesn't have so much crazy dog go as he once did. The other day I was observing with a smile the birds on the deck eating seeds that had fallen practically on his snout while he lay there dead to the world soaking up the sun. There was a time when the birds didn't come to our feeder for fear of the huge monster that nearly got one every day!  Now they mock him.

     We have been together so long that we no longer need words to communicate, and he often finishes my thoughts! Hell, if he had thumbs he would be the one writing this damn blog entry!

I have been very fortunate in my life to have shared it with so many excellent dog friends. I never forget that.

I can't imagine what it must be like to live a life that never knew what the love and companionship of a good dog felt like. I shudder to think of it.

I must be rich in that I have not just one but 3 1/2 good dogs to have and to hold!

But of all of the dogs, this one is special because he is so much a part of me and who I am. He has been there through it all and never ever did he hesitate to walk beside me even when the outlook was grim, Rebel remained loyal and I know he is committed to our journey with everything he's got.

I reminisce about the stuff we have accomplished like dog school! Boy was that an experience! All the while my smart boy humoring us as we went round and round with all the other dogs, doing dumb dog stuff!

September Morn was our instructor and she called him "Teacher's Pet" because he was so calm so lay ed back.

I think about all the times he would come to me and just be there when my world was upside down, gently distracting me and using his big dog heart to sooth my sadness and my pain. I could never repay him for all the times he made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry! I was never alone because he was always there.

If I could ask him just one question, it would be, "How did I do?"

I look forward to many more birthdays with Rebel.