pet connection

The SFSPCA Academy for Dog Trainers captures the essence of new beginnings for both people and pets.  Coming to here for the six-week program has solidified and made real my dreams of becoming a dog-trainer, and after the next two weeks are over, will mark my first steps venturing out into the vast world of helping people and their pets.

Breathtakingly beautiful are the transformations that have occurred as I’ve watched students and their shelter dogs bloom.  The initial buds of trainer and dog who start the two week training together, often start with the dog tightly closed off, unable and unsure how to open up and release his potential.  After the two weeks of training, not only does the dog perform the new skill sets he has learned, but often there is an outwardly apparent inner change as well, a bond of trust intricately woven between dog and trainer, leaving the dog with newfound confidence in people and the world around them.  Although most of the trainers do not know the dog’s road coming to the shelter, they are able to help the unfolding of the dog’s new beginning on a different road, as proud adoptive parents come to pick them their furry companions and carry them away to the start of a new life.

Roscoe, my assignment shelter dog,  five pounds of Chihuahua love, left for his new life a couple of days ago.   Before he left, we finished our test of the skills we learned during the two weeks. Roscoe performed like an Olympic champion eager to take home the gold, or in his case, the deli meat stuffed away in my treat bag.

The two minute down-stay he had visibly struggled with the week before — being away from people is hard for him –  was executed with precision.  He stayed on his blanket for the two minutes as he eagerly stared at the awaited deli turkey as the ultimate trophy for his work.  After finishing our other test skills, I swept Roscoe off the ground and cradled him in my arms, whispering congratulations and thanking him for being my partner and companion, my second project dog.

His adopter would be arriving soon, but no matter how much time I had it wouldn’t be enough to thank him. sRoscoe could never fully understand how much he helped me, both in teaching me to train and especially in expanding my love for dogs.  A piece of turkey, a hug and a kiss on the forehead were enough said for Roscoe, who turned around and looked out at me through the glass door kennel when I put him in there, catching my eye for a couple of brief moments, before trotting off towards his Chihuahua roommate to curl up on their bed together.

I left for a lunch break, expecting to come back and kiss Roscoe one more time, but when I came back he was already gone, his kennel empty of the viably feisty spirit that always greeted me at the door.  My heart ached that I couldn’t have held him and thanked him again at least one more time.

The adoption desk staff said Roscoe’s new  mom seemed kind and eager to give her new dog the best home possible.  I realized then, that although perfect goodbyes may not happen in our imperfect world, I was able to witness one of the greatest goodbyes possible, the letting go of a friend to start the first steps of his journey to a new life made possible by the heart and home of someone new who would ultimately care about him the most.  I can’t help but reassure myself that our work was worthwhile now that Roscoe is in a home where he will be loved and cared for.

And on to my next dog … Lloyd.

He’s a Benjii lookalike, and he pulled on my heart strings from the first moment we met.  His soft brown eyes looked out at me from under his curls  as he danced backwards on his hind feet waiting for my first greeting.  I sat on the ground and he put his fuzzy feet in my lap and leaned in a backrun.  His 35 pounds are so covered in curly, long locks of white and brown spotted fur that it seems his fur entered the room before we do.

Right away I could tell Lloyd was a doggie genius, learning his first faster than I’d planned for and already anticipating what he could learn next.  During the next two weeks, I expect to see even more new beginnings, as I will be taught by a canine Einstein how to grow even more as a trainer.

Again, I will bond with my assignment dog, and we will blossom together as a working team, and I look forward to a new home for my special new friend.

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