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Brut Quote

Brut Quote

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Time

This past year has been about time for me.  Having it, making the most of it and learning how to let it work for me.  It is the last one that can be the most difficult but is the most rewarding.

 Daddy and Brut
My husband made a New Year's Resolution to walk the dogs every other day as part of his exercise routine and he succeeded with that goal.  Time with Daddy is hard to come by and this special one-on-one time has been precious.  So precious that Brut's protectiveness and dog aggression would be triggered off when Daddy is home.  It is taking a ton of trial and error, tools and techniques to finally find a gentle solution that is making a world of difference.  I spoke of it recently HERE.  It has been a long road getting to this point but with Brut's attitude flaring up in direct contrast to when Daddy is home, it has helped in narrowing down his behavior in order to respond better.  All it took was some time.

Zappa with his favorite guy
The first year and a half that the Front Dogs became part of our lives, Chance, Blaze and Brut have taken most of my attention.  Now since the two dog packs have begun to settle this past year, I have been able to give the remaining Back Dogs, Zappa, Fiona and Silver what they have needed:  TIME.

Fiona on the move
 If you have never raised two puppies together at the same time, (Zappa and Fiona) you would not believe the bond that exist.  It is tight.  It has just been this past year that I have been able to really get to know each of these dogs on a more personal level, like learning how to play with them, working with training and behavioral issues.  Little things that have made huge impacts on their lives and mine.  Most prevalent has been my relationship with Zappa and his dog pulling abilities that I wrote about in THIS POST.

Silver's ready!
I have done the same with Silver.  It has been forever it seems since I taught her a new trick or really worked with her.  She tends to end up at the bottom of the heap of five other demanding dogs.  And just being able to carve out that little bit of time with her, is already showing leaps of progress.  She has been craving her own equality and finally I have been able to give it to her.  The difference is night and day.


Chance:  You've got to smell this!
Blaze:  Wrong Way DAD!
 And then there are the Front Dogs who summed up everything I started working with them this past year from leash training to simple behavior issues to advancing their training by taking a trip to the vet today and passing with flying colors.  Both Chance and Blaze's handled the entire experience like champs.  Neither of them snapped or growled and they both took to the vet quite well.  Chance didn't scream when the vet came near him nor when she gave him his shot.  And here was the real kicker, they BOTH took treats from the vet.  That was the biggest break through we have made so far.  I still can't believe it!  It was exciting and all it took was time.

If I really look back, time has been the biggest lessons I have begun to learn.  For myself and for the dogs.  It is so hard sometimes not to push harder and go further than they are ready for, but when I really listen to the dogs, they let me know when they are ready to take that next step and time will take care of the rest.

May we all be blessed with more time than we ever thought possible with our favorite furry friends while we revel in the magic that happens within it.  

Have a wonderful and Happy New Year
Love,
24 Paws of Love
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17 comments:

melf said...

I really loved reading this post because I remember the first post of yours I had ever read. It was the one in which you expressed despair and worry and fears about having all 6 dogs and trying to care for them. You were so overwhelmed and I could hardly blame you. I don't know if I could have done all that you and your husband have done this year, but I have to say kudos to you!

That's a lot to celebrate! It makes me feel so happy to know you and to see how great you are feeling about your accomplishments this year. So wonderful.
(It seems I have a lot to learn from you!)

bichonpawz said...

Blessings to you!!! Happy New Year!!! Wishing you all the best...you have accomplished so very much in the past year!!
xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

House of Carnivores said...

That IS a lot to celebrate. The time you've devoted to your dogs is paying off for sure.

This was a good post. I have to remind myself frequently that things happen on their own time-table, and pushing and poking and prodding doesn't help.

Golden Daily Scoop said...

Happy New Year!! Wishing you and your family all the best for 2012!

Miley and Maggie

BZ Dogs said...

Congrats! Time is indeed a powerful force. :)

Bassetmomma said...

Happy New Year! Sounds like 2011 was a big year for you. All the best in 2012.

Pamela said...

Mel said it so eloquently. I couldn't add a thing except to congratulate you on all your progress this year and to thank you for sharing it with us.

I hope you and your family have a delightful New Year!

Bailey Be Good! said...

Happy Happy New Year to you all!! :)

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

ThePainterPack said...

Happy New Year!!!

Brian's Home Blog said...

From all of us to all of you...Happy, Happy, Happy New Year!!!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you more time this year for everything you enjoy doing :D

Happy Happy New Year to all of you! :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year you guys!!!! woo woo woo!

When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet said...

Aw, your dogs are beautiful. Happy New Year! ♥

White Dog Blog said...

We wish you, dear friends, a New Year that fills your hearts with love, your souls with peace, and your everyday lives with wondrous bounty.

Smile With Your Tail said...

Good luck with all your resolutions, we hope 2012 is full of fun and happiness for you all!

Slobbers
xxxx

KB said...

You are right - "time" is the most precious thing that we can give our dogs. It sounds like you've had incredible rewards from the time that you've spent in the past year.

May 2012 be a good year for you!

Jack & Moo said...

Happy New Year to all 24 paws! Yup, time and love go a long way to solving difficulties. (Works for human kids, too!) Adding Jack to our family put us thru some difficult situations, but given time & love, it all worked out. We simply cannot imagine life without him!


jack, moo & Momma Pat