Brownie the Shelter Dog

I give full credit to Animal Planet for this story.

Brownie the Shelter Dog was a chocolate Labrador Retriever who looked as though she may face euthanasia. No one seemed to want her. She was rather thin and carried the scars of past neglect. But one man saw some potential in her that would save many lives. He took her for the training she would require.

Brownie soared through the requirements to be a bomb sniffing dog. She was soon paired with a bomb technician who matched her eagerness to work.

Officer Jackie renamed Brownie "JJ." Jackie had a dream to have a canine partner, because she knew their great value. She took some tips from a friend of hers that had a bomb sniffing dog. (The friend's dog did not like her and growled. Some dogs only like their handlers.)

Obviously, to become a team, Jackie and JJ had to undergo rigorous training, working very closely together. But once Jackie learned to run in front of JJ and to keep her ambition in check just a little bit more, they made a top bomb sniffing team!

Most dogs who don't work out in families can do exceptionally well in some of these life-or-death jobs. Sadly for people and animals both, too many such dogs are euthanized and never given the chance!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

A Shelter Dog In Adopt-a-Dog Month?

October is "Adopt a Dog Month". I am personally all for adopting a shelter dog so long as the shelter has a reputation that can be trusted. I have the skills to evaluate dogs, and I know how to read dog body language to see what the dog is telling me about himself. But most potential adopters do not.

Meeting with the family who fostered the dog is important. So is speaking with any previous owners the dog has had.

I also strongly recommend NOT getting a new puppy as a gift or a surprise for a family member. Especially on holidays or birthdays, as there is a frenzy of activity that make scare the new pup.

Before you bring home a new puppy or older dog, you should sit down and determine all rules for the dog. Inconsistency really causes a lot of dog behavior problems.

You also need to research your dog breed of choice well and be sure you can handle it's care needs. Walks, grooming, etc. A dog is not a toy that you can play with when you wish. It is a serious commitment.

The truth is that many dogs were abandoned for one of two reasons:

1. The owner no longer wants the responsibility, or
2. Extreme dog behavior problems.

You need to know which it is before you give your heart to that cute shelter dog or playful pup.

It's also good to agree that "I am going to try this shelter dog for two to four weeks before committing." Sometimes, the full extent of dog behavior problems doesn't show up at first, and most owners might miss the subtle symptoms. Explicitly stating and enforcing this "trial period" will help prevent heartbreak, for we people tend to form serious emotional attachments to our furry friends very quickly!

Consider this. Everyone loves to watch Beethoven and Turner and Hooch, but it's not cute at all when it's YOUR house!

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Lassie

Who does not love Lassie?

Okay, I know some people are out there. But I have seen just about every Lassie movie there is. I love the innocence and simple courage of the show as well.

I think "Lassie Come Home" is my all time favorite. But once again, I have a different point here.

"Pal" was the original Lassie. He was an undersized Collie that Robert Weatherwax took in when his owner refused to pay his dog obedience training bills. This little dog became one of the most well known canines in history!

Some of these shelter dogs really turn out great, don't they?

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

Old Yeller - Shelter Dog?

Old Yeller was one of my favorite movies as I was growing up, and it remains so. That is a story of courage, selflessness, and triumph.

But I am writing this to make another point.

Spike was his real name. He was abandoned at a shelter. Who would believe that such a dog would star in "A dog of Flanders," appear in many of the "Lassie" series, and and as I said, "Old Yeller?"

Not too bad for a dog who was unwanted, eh?

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

P.S. Want to see another wonderful shelter dog? Check out Gatsby at Dog Whisper With Rena on Squidoo.