The reason I'm a dog trainer....

This poem was given to me at work the other day. I read it and it reminded me just why I do my job... Do I go home today?
My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - cherished memory,
because I now live in the shelter - without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the back yard, on a chain.
I barked and barked, all day long, just to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup,
then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance?
DO I GO HOME TODAY?
~Author Unknown~



My job makes it possible for puppies to grow up in a healthy, loving environment with the instruction they need to never end up in a shelter. I have talked several people out of giving up their dogs to a shelter. I've helped people who've adopted dogs from shelters fix the problems that took them from their first home. I see rewards every day. I don't make a lot of money, but I honestly feel like I make a difference in several family homes, and keep dogs out of shelters.

As a side note, if you're looking for a new addition to your family, Please... Don't buy from a pet store! Most of those dogs come from Puppy Mills where even if they weren't mistreated, are often inbred or the parents were not checked for hereditary diseases or temperment issues, which can start you off on a path of serious health or behavioral issues before you even get them home. If you're looking for a specific breed of dog, check the shelters and rescue groups for that breed first before going to a breeder. If you do go to a breeder, do your research on that breeder, and be prepared for them to research you as well. A good breeder won't give or sell their dogs to just anyone.

I don't normally rant here, but this is something I feel really strongly about. Especially because I saw someone today who brought in a 6 week old puppy who was blind in one eye that they bought from a breeder. 6 weeks is too young! Unless "mom" stopped feeding her pups, giving the pups away that early tells me that the breeder isn't one of the best in the area, and the blindness makes me suspicious of the breeder as well, for the reasons listed above.