Happy Birthday, Gambler.
This is a little early, but since my next 4 days are full of crazy busy, I figured I'd do his birthday post early and his birthday present late. :-P See if he agrees with that one..
Gambler. AKA Crown Point Know When To Hold'Em +some titles
Yep, like the Kenny Rogers' song.
Since it's always easiest to start with the facts.. some history-
I named him the way I did because I wanted to keep with the card theme of his relatives (Mace of Diamonds x Ace High Slick, grandson of Flamen Aces and Ace of Spades, cousin of Red Jacks R Wild (Dealer) and I was gifted him thanks to Aces Wild).
I also *love* this song.
So.. it was either going to be Aces Wild N Got Nuthin "Bluff" or some other registered name and "Maverick".. but I couldn't think of a good registered name for Maverick and he was Bluff for a couple weeks.. but Bluff.. apparently sounds too much like Fluff. which got obnoxious quickly.
Gambler it is!
He was the. cutest. puppy. Really. I still don't think any of the many puppies I've raised since have been as adorable. Coe is a close 2nd.
This photo was taken before I knew he was mine. I think he knew something i didn't.
"I've made a life..
Out of readin' people's faces
Knowin' what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don't mind me sayin'
I can see you're out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey
I'll give you some advice"
I thought I picked him. I'm not so sure anymore. he's led me on quite a ride. I had to do a hard 180 with training him. Coming from Alpha Theory, lots of dominance crap with my (bless his heart) German shepherd and trying to apply that with my excitable puppy.. backfired. Horribly.
it took us almost 3 years, but he was very patient with me. Always forgiving. Too Forgiving. I really don't deserve what he's given me. I've done some awful stuff to him in the name of being alpha.
He led me on a journey to our first obedience trainer - whose dog attacked him multiple times. That added to quite a few other unfortunate, but unpreparable dog instances started his reactivity. Then to our first agility trainer- who couldn't help us with any of his reactivity and we ended up isolated at the corner of a field trying to learn agility. For a year. Then to our current agility trainer, BAT coach and friend. Through her, I've seen that +R really works. That you don't have to shut off a dog to have a dog that you can be with. That it's damn fun when you DON'T shut them off.
Even when I tried so hard to turn him off. Because I thought that's what a "good" dog was. smh
Thank Dog, he didn't let me. He's got more resilience than anyone I've known. More than forgiving me, he never held a grudge in the first place. He's always who he is. If that makes sense. He never has bad days. Maybe extra cuddly days- but those are even better than normal cuddly days.
He loves to be touched and petted.
He is the best tear cleaner to me.. the best ear cleaner for the other dogs.
The best hugger.
And usually just knows what I need. He's become the dog that I take everywhere. He comes with me when I need to take any dog to the vet- he calms them for me. I haven't had a puppy scream on the way to the vet (from the crate or car ride) since I started taking him too. He settles whereever he needs to for that specific puppy.
What you can't see- to the right of the crate is a dog bed that he usually lays on.
Until Bear was unhappy and whining.
He's shown me who to trust by how they treat him and who he likes. He's shown me that he will give me even more than I give him. Always. He ALWAYS gives me 110% of himself. When I'm present with him and giving him 100%.. he gives 200.
He amazes me.
He's also an amazing puppy sitter. For being dog reactive everywhere else (yep.. more proof I had a huge part in causing that), he's great with puppies. Any age. Even when they're trying to nurse. Hehe. I need more video of that... I thought I had photos, but can't find them right now.
He's also goofy. In training, I CAN'T be frustrated with him. it's impossible. I always laugh. I was trying to teach him to shut the door- using a nose target.. he decided that a side of his head target was better.. He created "listen" so now, he goes up to a door and puts his ear to it.. Way cuter than just closing one.
He knows what to be when I need it. And now trusts me to keep him safe. That means the world to me.
He's shown me when to give up on training methods that don't work.. try something new and when to stick with something because it'll be worth it..
"Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away
And knowin' what to keep"
I'm glad he was my keeper.
I feel like I just can't do my Gam justice in writing. I just hope every deserving person gets to have a dog like him sometime in their lives. He's Perfect. He's my heart.. and dammit, he'll live to 40 because I can't imagine a day without him.
So.. here's to 36+ more years, MonsterMan.
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