Tag: dogs with separation anxiety

The Things Dogs Can Teach Us About What Matters Most

My Sweet Tina - Dogs Can Teach Us About What Matters Most

Last week we received a very serious phone call from our vet hospital regarding the health of one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met.  Her name is Tina and she’s been with us since  we pulled her out of a shelter in Northern California in May of 2007.  Her story is very different from the majority of pets that are abandoned by irresponsible owners.  She had a very loving owner that had lost his housing and was unable to take a large dog to his new living situation.  This man was so heartbroken and concerned for Tina that he called every single day to find out if she had been adopted by someone.  I truly believe that God worked through us that day as an answer to his prayers.

When Tina first joined our family she was seriously overweight and full of dandruff.  We placed her on a healthy diet, gave her supplements, and began exercising her immediately.  The transformation was amazing and a true testimony to how powerful a healthy diet and consistent exercise can be no matter where you are starting from.  She went from huffing and puffing on hikes to running on the beach all day.

We are uncertain about Tina’s actual age. However, it has become quite obvious that she is getting up there in her years.  She doesn’t really run anymore and battles arthritis but when it’s time to go for a walk she perks up with the same enthusiasm she showed back in 2007 when we first adopted her.  Her attitude is so contagious that it gets me fired up to go out for a walk no matter where my energy level is at that particular moment.  She reminds me that being able to walk and enjoy fresh air is something that should never be taken for granted!

Tina has never met a stranger.  She loves to greet anyone that is willing to say hello or pet her.  I’ve watched her turn frowns into smiles.  When she was younger she would take off down the beach and find people (usually young college students) that were hungry for a dog fix and hang out on their blanket with them for the afternoon.  She would always leave them better off than when she found them.  That’s something I work hard to do but I don’t think I’ve mastered it quite like Tina.

Tina has always been a great companion and friend to all of the other dogs in our house.  They love her and she helps comfort the ones that are overcoming anxiety when we first rescue them and bring them home.  Being a good friend is one of the most valuable things we can do for someone else.  There are a lot of things that money can buy but true friendships aren’t one of them.

Studies have shown that owning pets helps lower blood pressure and battle depression.  I personally believe that this has something to do with the unconditional love that our pets have for us.  They don’t care how badly you messed up that day; all they care about is that you are home and they get to spend time with you.  When you are responsible for another life you tend to take your eyes off of your own issues and find the strength to carry on.  Whether it’s your kids or a pet, they are counting on you and it’s usually easier to make it through trials or meet your goals when you are doing it for a reason that’s bigger than just yourself.

What Tina and OUR Dogs Have Done For Me

I can honestly say that my dogs have done way more for me than simply help me stay in shape.   They have helped me become a better person in every area of my life. They’ve taught me to focus more on others and less on myself.  My experiences with them have helped me have more compassion and patience when I am out navigating this crazy world.  I’ve learned that things that seem annoying or embarrassing at the time usually turn into stories that make you laugh or even shed a tear when you share them over dinner.

I’m not sure how much longer Tina will be with us.  She tends to turn in early and hangs out on the deck or in her bed more and more these days.  One thing I do know for sure is that we will continue to create precious memories with her and the rest of our dogs for as long as we are together.  Days can turn into years rather quickly so it’s important we take time out to spend them with family, friends, and our furry babies.

I encourage you to maintain balance in your life and take time out to spend it with the ones that matter most to you.  It’s important to work hard.  However, it’s equally important to take time out to play and create the memories that will matter the most to you in your golden years.

Have a great week!

Shared with love,
Jennifer

I’m No Hero

 

Hoppybeach

It all started with a Pyrenees puppy in 2004.  He was a surprise birthday present from my sister.  While I don’t EVER recommend surprising someone with a pet, we fell in love with our dear sweet Dillon.  He was our fur baby and made our two person family more complete.

Raising Dillon led to more adoptions and the fostering of special needs dogs that needed extra care physically and emotionally.  Some went on to new homes and others stayed.  They gave us joy and a sense of purpose.

When we lost Dillon and our toy poodle Baxter within two months of each other in 2013 we were heartbroken.  To be honest, we still shed tears to this day.  After they passed, we still had three dogs in the home and we decided that was plenty for the time being.  However, I secretly fantasized about a poodle showing up on our doorstep.  Baxter had been like a baby to me.

That fantasy quickly formed into a reality two months later.  A unique situation popped up with a friend of ours.  He had rescued a standard poodle who was a retired therapy dog.  Her owner had become mentally ill and was suffering from dementia. She became abusive to her dog and the people around her so the family asked our friend if he would like to adopt the dog.  He bravely said yes and let us know he was bringing her home.

The night they arrived I watched from the window just to get a peek at her and I quickly sensed something was wrong.  When I looked out the front door, I saw our friend running down the street yelling “Jennifer please help!”  The poodle was loose!  She had bolted from the car out of fear and was running on a city street.

She is black and it was dark.  I was terrified!  I quickly prayed and asked God to protect her and deliver her safely to us while I ran for treats to lure her in.  She did not know us and we were chasing her.  Not a good combination for catching a dog.  After several close calls while I stood in  the middle of the street waving my arms to stop traffic, our prayers were answered and she came to us safe and sound.

Rehoming a dog can be traumatic in itself for the animal, so this was a double whammy for her.  Things had not started off well.  Our friend took her inside, got her settled,  and since he’s a professional brewer decided to name her Hoppy.

Our friend lives right next door, and it wasn’t long before I started noticing constant barking whenever she was home alone.  I began to suspect separation anxiety and recommended our friend contact our dog trainer.  After an assessment it was confirmed that Hoppy was experiencing separation anxiety when alone and was basically having panic attacks.  Being someone that had experienced and overcome panic attacks in my thirties, I knew her pain and my heart ached for her.

Our trainer let us know that it is not uncommon for retired service dogs to develop separation anxiety.  They are always with people and if the owner does not leave them alone a few times per week, they never learn how to manage being home by themselves.  When people are provided service dogs they are advised to leave them alone from time to time to avoid anxiety issues when the dog retires.

Separation anxiety in dogs is treatable, it just takes time and commitment.  Working with a professional trainer is critical and you only leave them alone for as long as they can handle it.  Every situation is unique, but over time they can learn to be home alone.  Until then they need to be with a person at all times.  This was more than our friend could handle as a single man with a busy career.

Hoppy’s options were very slim because she had not come from a rescue so there was nowhere to “take her back” to.  The pound was out of the question so after a lot of consulting with our trainer and prayer, Matthew and I suggested that we adopt her.  Our friend was relieved and Hoppy came to live with us in January of 2014.

Hoppy is getting more and more comfortable every day.  She has learned to live the life of a dog and has fun.  Just like her mom, she’s a huge fan of the beach.  We have a fabulous daycare she goes to while I see clients and a lovely college student that has become like family to us doggie sits when we go out.  She gets along with her other dog siblings and we plan lots of activities that are dog-friendly.

When people hear Hoppy’s or some of our other dogs’ stories, they say such kind things like “what lucky dogs” or “you are their heroes.”  While I am always grateful for these complements, the truth is I am no hero.  I am blessed.  These dogs have made us better people, taught us things that I may have never learned otherwise, and most of all brought us such joy and unconditional love that I can only point up to Heaven and thank God for each and every one of them.  He loves His animals and I believe He works through them to teach us things and soften our hearts.

It’s often said “who rescued who?”  Over the years I think I’ve learned that it was the dogs that God used to rescue me.

Shared with much love,
Jennifer Ledford