Looking for Answers & Recognizing That Nothing Is Perfect
The Internet is an amazing tool when we are looking for answers.
Even though my car & cell phone both have GPS, I often check mapquest.com for directions before I leave, just to confirm what the GPS is telling me while en route.
When I'm looking for addresses, I go to anywho.com.
When I was looking for Sonny's previous owner I posted a "Dog Found" on FidoFinder.com.
If Sonny had been adopted through any of the rescue organizations I've worked with previously, he would not have been placed with me.
The ideal owner for Sonny would be an energetic person, probably in their 20s, who is an outdoors person - not a gray haired man over 50 who is a bit overweight.
The ideal canine companion for Sonny would be a bit older and slightly stronger dog to give Sonny some guidance. Instead, he has a very mellow and shy Jake for his canine companion. I am trying to fill the role of the stronger dog.
The ideal place for Sonny would be on a large farm in the country where he could run and run and run, instead of my place where I feel I need to keep him with me on a leash. I live in the country on a one acre lot, but it's a long street with over 40 homes. I don't think it is responsible for me to let him roam the neighborhood.
The options for Sonny when my co-worker found him were:
1. Let him run loose and wait for him to either be hit by a car or starve to death;
2, Call animal control, so he could be held the minimum number of days before being euthanized;
3. Have an animal lover who was not the best match for him take him and see what could be done.
I chose option #3.
Jake & I were a perfect match. Sonny & I are not a perfect match, but I think we are doing pretty good.
He is responding to his name, adapting to crate training, and knows there will be a treat or lots of affection when he poops or pees outside. He is learning that barking is not the way to get my attention. I think we have done amazingly well for just 3 days.
The biggest challenge is my back - will it hold out long enough for Sonny to be a long term member of my family. I needed two muscle relaxants between Nov. 1 & Nov. 19. I've needed them daily since Sonny arrived.
I think I need some professional assistance in dog training. I did an internet search for dog trainers in my area and came up with one link, only to discover it is broken. The internet has lots of answers, but not all of the answers. I will check with my vet tomorrow to see if they have any suggestions.
I need to log off to spend more time with Sonny and Jake. They had me for a few minutes when I got home from work. The cats have had me for a little over an hour. It's not a perfect situation, but nothing in life is perfect. The trick is to make less than perfect good enough.
Looking for Answers & Recognizing That Nothing Is Perfect
The Internet is an amazing tool when we are looking for answers.
Even though my car & cell phone both have GPS, I often check mapquest.com for directions before I leave, just to confirm what the GPS is telling me while en route.
When I'm looking for addresses, I go to anywho.com.
When I was looking for Sonny's previous owner I posted a "Dog Found" on FidoFinder.com.
If Sonny had been adopted through any of the rescue organizations I've worked with previously, he would not have been placed with me.
The ideal owner for Sonny would be an energetic person, probably in their 20s, who is an outdoors person - not a gray haired man over 50 who is a bit overweight.
The ideal canine companion for Sonny would be a bit older and slightly stronger dog to give Sonny some guidance. Instead, he has a very mellow and shy Jake for his canine companion. I am trying to fill the role of the stronger dog.
The ideal place for Sonny would be on a large farm in the country where he could run and run and run, instead of my place where I feel I need to keep him with me on a leash. I live in the country on a one acre lot, but it's a long street with over 40 homes. I don't think it is responsible for me to let him roam the neighborhood.
The options for Sonny when my co-worker found him were:
1. Let him run loose and wait for him to either be hit by a car or starve to death;
2, Call animal control, so he could be held the minimum number of days before being euthanized;
3. Have an animal lover who was not the best match for him take him and see what could be done.
I chose option #3.
Jake & I were a perfect match. Sonny & I are not a perfect match, but I think we are doing pretty good.
He is responding to his name, adapting to crate training, and knows there will be a treat or lots of affection when he poops or pees outside. He is learning that barking is not the way to get my attention. I think we have done amazingly well for just 3 days.
The biggest challenge is my back - will it hold out long enough for Sonny to be a long term member of my family. I needed two muscle relaxants between Nov. 1 & Nov. 19. I've needed them daily since Sonny arrived.
I think I need some professional assistance in dog training. I did an internet search for dog trainers in my area and came up with one link, only to discover it is broken. The internet has lots of answers, but not all of the answers. I will check with my vet tomorrow to see if they have any suggestions.
I need to log off to spend more time with Sonny and Jake. They had me for a few minutes when I got home from work. The cats have had me for a little over an hour. It's not a perfect situation, but nothing in life is perfect. The trick is to make less than perfect good enough.