My Awesome Dog herself, Risa.
Expectation:
– Go anywhere, do anything dog
– Walking buddy
– Agility dog
– Social and friendly with kids, dogs, and people
– I get to show off all I know about dog training
– Snuggly
Reality:
– Afraid of everything
– Great in the house; a behavioral mess outside
– Scared of kids and dog reactive
– Participating in dog sports requires a well-thought-out plan and additional stress
– GI problems throughout life
– Also IVDD, cancer, and allergies
– Project dog that required me to seriously rethink everything I knew about dogs. . .and a lot of what I thought about life
– Brilliant training partner
– Did not like to cuddle
Fuzzy Noodle boy, Kyu.
Expectation:
– Go anywhere, do anything dog
– Super amazing sport prospect
– So. Much. Potential.
– Bomb proof
– Playful
– Great training buddy
– Healthy
– Snuggly
Reality:
– Chronically ill with IBD
– Challenge to train; doesn’t learn like Risa plus he’s chronically ill
– Great hiking buddy
– Clingy (and not in a good way)
– Super dog-focused (I’ve moved to the opposite end of the scale here)
– Loves to cuddle
Young padawan, Kyber.
Expectation:
– Good combination of the traits I love about both Ri and Kyu
– A way to continue to grow and learn more about training
– Great sport dog
– Hiking buddy
– Fun and playful
– Social and confident
– HEALTHY PLEASE I CAN’T HANDLE ANOTHER CHRONICALLY ILL DOG
Reality:
TBD
Regardless of my hopes and dreams about my past dog, current dog, and future dogs; I will love them and do the best I can for them. The struggles are a chance to learn and grow. The relationship we share is the most important thing. <3
