Happy 4th Gotcha/Birthday to Phoenix!!!

It's been four years since I brought Phoenix home! Time sure flies when you're having fun. Phoenix had a rough start to life before me, we believe she lived in some form of neglect, she was not socialized and she was rescued out of house fire. She's a complicated dog, for sure and but she's the best friend a girl could ask for and she's taught me so much. She's changed my whole world and perception on everything. She's taught me to be more patient and compassionate. She's made me a better person.

Phoenix is a dog that's never said "no" to me. She has tried absolutely everything I've asked her to do. From silly tricks to complicated ones, to balancing on tiny objects or moving objects, to learning how to swim and fetching giant logs, to flipping and catch a frisbee, to performing tricks in front of crowds at orientation for my work and of course posing for silly photos for this blog. If I ask her to do it, she's up for the challenge and she tries so hard.

This dog has the biggest heart of any dog I've ever known. She is the most amazing companion I could of ever asked to have. She's always there for me and always up for anything I want to do and I love her more than words can describe.

Happy 4th Gotcha/Birthday to my little girl! 

I didn't have time to make her a new birthday movie this year but you can watch the one from last year by going here: Phoenix's 3rd Gotcha Day she really did change my life and I don't know what I would do without her.

To learn more about Phoenix and read her full adoption story go here: Phoenix's Adoption Story

Going to the Vet with your Fearful Dog!

I have the most perfect "fearful" dog. She is an absolutely wonderful companion to me and my husband. She is funny, silly and loves to play. She snuggles with me when I don't feel well. She makes me laugh and takes away my pain. She is absolutely perfect in every way, except for two things. She is afraid of strangers reaching for her, to the point she will flail at the end of her leash to try and get away. (She has never growled or snapped at any human. All she wants to do is get away from them.) She trusts the people she knows to a point but is mostly uncomfortable being handled by anyone other than myself and my husband. Her other problem is that she is afraid of large dogs and she can be a little or a lot reactive with them depending on the situation.

Sleepy B&W Sunday

We are having a very sleepy B&W Sunday today!! :D Well the dogs are at least. I'm going to be grooming my neighbor's schnauzer and then after that we are going to be testing a new leash! Come back on Friday for my review on the Snap Leash. I am also going to be giving one away! (USA only)

Book Review: Bark and Lunge

 

  

Bark and Lunge: Saving My Dog from Training Mistakes is the journey and struggles of a fearful/reactive dog named Isis and her owners Kari and Rob.

This book recently popped up in my "recommended for you" list on amazon. I'm always looking for a good dog book and I particularly like memoirs, too. It wasn't expensive on the digital format so I thought, why not and gave it a shot. 

Pandora on Wordless Wednesday!

I recently realized that I have not featured Pandora on my blog at all. She has her own page but I've never really written about her. Anyways, she is my favorite of the three and is definitely my heart kitty. She is a black and silver mackerel torbie, medium hair in case anyone was wondering! She is the sweetest cat and loves cuddling.

I will NOT get wet!!

Phoenix generally does not like going into the water. If she can't see the bottom she definitely won't go. Luckily this river is very clear!

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day to Zoe and B&W Sunday

I really can't believe it's been 3 years since I got my baby girl. Zoe is the dog that completely changed my life and the way I view dogs and training. It's hard to imagine that three years ago today I was begging my husband to go with me to "just look at the dogs." I felt like I was the only groomer in the salon without a dog of my own and I desperately wanted one.

 This is her Gotcha/Birthday Movie!