And so it begins
As some of you may, or may not know, I'd gotten a dog back in August of last year. Even though she has the exact personality that I needed for "me", there had been some doubts as to Loki's suitability for some of the things that I'd been wanting her to do competitively. Samoyeds, while wonderful dogs are not known as the easiest dogs in the world to train, and they certainly hadn't been my first choice of breeds, or even within the top ten.
However, sometimes you get what you need in the least likely of places and you realize that if you had to do it over again, you wouldn't make any other choice.
And such is the situation I've found myself in. Loki is over enthusiastic... too friendly towards people and other animals... and she might as well be made of Velcro. Certainly not a dog I would have ever picked for myself. But at the same time, she is most assuredly "my" dog. While she might be happy to see other people, to her, they're passing fancies and ultimately unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I like that about her. I like it a lot. It's a change, being someone, or should I say, "something's" sole concern. Screw the pettings, screw the food, treats, and toys. I am hers and she's not afraid to let people know it either.
Yes, I like that a lot.
So while I'd been doubtful about doing competitive showing and obedience with her since they're not considered one of the better breeds for it, she continues to surprise me. I'm now convinced that ultimately there's nothing that she wouldn't do for me. We started formal classes tonight. She had struggled through her initial puppy kindergarten class. I despaired of ever having hearing that didn't consist of ringing, due to her high pitched barking. But tonight was different. I guess the two months off was what she needed.
After one night of class, we've been invited to become members of the I.R.D.T.C. and the current director even offered to sponsor us. My at one time distant thoughts of getting her OTCH don't seem quite so distant anymore. It might be a long shot, but now, I'm not the only one who thinks she might be able to do it.
The road is going to be long and hard... but in the end, I think that we're going to make it. Naysayers be damned... you can keep your border collies, or your golden retrievers, or whatever "easy" breed you happen to have. Look down your noses if you want but just remember...
We're coming, and we're not going to stop until we get what we want.
However, sometimes you get what you need in the least likely of places and you realize that if you had to do it over again, you wouldn't make any other choice.
And such is the situation I've found myself in. Loki is over enthusiastic... too friendly towards people and other animals... and she might as well be made of Velcro. Certainly not a dog I would have ever picked for myself. But at the same time, she is most assuredly "my" dog. While she might be happy to see other people, to her, they're passing fancies and ultimately unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I like that about her. I like it a lot. It's a change, being someone, or should I say, "something's" sole concern. Screw the pettings, screw the food, treats, and toys. I am hers and she's not afraid to let people know it either.
Yes, I like that a lot.
So while I'd been doubtful about doing competitive showing and obedience with her since they're not considered one of the better breeds for it, she continues to surprise me. I'm now convinced that ultimately there's nothing that she wouldn't do for me. We started formal classes tonight. She had struggled through her initial puppy kindergarten class. I despaired of ever having hearing that didn't consist of ringing, due to her high pitched barking. But tonight was different. I guess the two months off was what she needed.
After one night of class, we've been invited to become members of the I.R.D.T.C. and the current director even offered to sponsor us. My at one time distant thoughts of getting her OTCH don't seem quite so distant anymore. It might be a long shot, but now, I'm not the only one who thinks she might be able to do it.
The road is going to be long and hard... but in the end, I think that we're going to make it. Naysayers be damned... you can keep your border collies, or your golden retrievers, or whatever "easy" breed you happen to have. Look down your noses if you want but just remember...
We're coming, and we're not going to stop until we get what we want.