[Four Steps Forward] Pit Bull Bound
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Four Steps Forward
Nov 27, 2008, 2:15:40 PM11/27/08
to fourstep...@googlegroups.com
As I have mentioned before, there are a handful of very tough looking Pit Bulls mixes at Pets, Inc. I am sure there are specific dogs in this world that I would prefer to stay away from, not from fear of the breed itself, but due to the nature in which the dog was raised and trained. Pit Bulls carry that mantra for plenty of people, however I feel very confident in the nature of the dog when they are calm and relaxed, just like any dog really.
Shyla is a one year old mix that was found wandering the streets and in pretty bad shape. Pets, Inc have done a wonderful job nourishing her back to shape and she is very nice and pleasant dog. The notes on the website say she would prefer to be the only dog in the household, which I am sure is true, however I find it very hard to be confident in a person or family that doesn't have a dog going to the Center and picking her to come home with them. She does have that distinctive look to her and her face and front legs carry the scares of a dog that has been fought many times.
When she is in her kennel she will not jump up and lean on the door to get closer to you like all of the other dogs. I have a feeling this behavior has a lot to do with how she was raised. I decided that leaning over confidently was the best way to leash her up and off we went to the play area.
Shyla had a great time sniffing around the fenced in area, there wasn't too much running around, not too much playing with any of the toys, however she did make time to come over to me and rest her head in my lap a number of times...just to make sure I was still there and still wanted to give her attention and affection. I believe the first picture of her is one of the best pictures I have from my time at Pets, Inc so far.
As I always do, I went in search of Nervous Ned, who was still jumping around in the medium dog room. There were are few new additions to the medium room...I don't believe they were new to the Center, I think they were just moved into Nervous' room. I managed to push my way through the door, while everyone inside was trying to get out. Except Ned. He was keeping a safe distance from all the activity and any me in particular. I had my leash ready for Ned and was determined to get him leashed up and out to play. Ned on the other hand had different ideas.
In what could have only been written in a story, I calmly tired to get the collar over Ned's head...to somewhat comical results. I was leaning down trying to get the collar around her neck, while she was quickly pacing in a circle around me just beyond my reach (all the while four other dogs are trying the get their heads in the collar or lick me in the face). After a few turns, I tried to change directions to fool Ned...no luck. After a number of changes in direction and the onset of dizziness, I managed to get her leashed up and ready to go. We got to the door, cracked it ever so slightly, shimmied out...and out squeezes one of the little Sheppards with us. Dog on the run.
Ned and I quickly wrangled up the little Sheppard and got a leash for him so I could walk him back to the room, however he had other ideas. He stopped dead about 10 feet from the door just like Kenya did the week before and I was stuck with Nervous trying the get back in the room and the little Sheppard doing exactly the opposite. Guess who had to go back in the room and not get walked? It's probably a good lesson
for all things in life...no matter how great the opportunity and how much someone may be willing to help you, if you do not grasp the opportunity or embrace the help, you won't get anywhere.
As the sun went down, I managed to get a few minutes with Kenya in the play area. She was just as lovely as usual and I am convinced that if she were the same chocolate color that her brother was, she would have been adopted in a matter of days.
Guess who was up to her usual tricks again when I was in the kennel...can you spot the little guy having a peek over behind her?
--
Posted By Four Steps Forward to Four Steps Forward at 11/27/2008 01:05:00 PM
Shyla is a one year old mix that was found wandering the streets and in pretty bad shape. Pets, Inc have done a wonderful job nourishing her back to shape and she is very nice and pleasant dog. The notes on the website say she would prefer to be the only dog in the household, which I am sure is true, however I find it very hard to be confident in a person or family that doesn't have a dog going to the Center and picking her to come home with them. She does have that distinctive look to her and her face and front legs carry the scares of a dog that has been fought many times.
When she is in her kennel she will not jump up and lean on the door to get closer to you like all of the other dogs. I have a feeling this behavior has a lot to do with how she was raised. I decided that leaning over confidently was the best way to leash her up and off we went to the play area.
Shyla had a great time sniffing around the fenced in area, there wasn't too much running around, not too much playing with any of the toys, however she did make time to come over to me and rest her head in my lap a number of times...just to make sure I was still there and still wanted to give her attention and affection. I believe the first picture of her is one of the best pictures I have from my time at Pets, Inc so far.
As I always do, I went in search of Nervous Ned, who was still jumping around in the medium dog room. There were are few new additions to the medium room...I don't believe they were new to the Center, I think they were just moved into Nervous' room. I managed to push my way through the door, while everyone inside was trying to get out. Except Ned. He was keeping a safe distance from all the activity and any me in particular. I had my leash ready for Ned and was determined to get him leashed up and out to play. Ned on the other hand had different ideas.
In what could have only been written in a story, I calmly tired to get the collar over Ned's head...to somewhat comical results. I was leaning down trying to get the collar around her neck, while she was quickly pacing in a circle around me just beyond my reach (all the while four other dogs are trying the get their heads in the collar or lick me in the face). After a few turns, I tried to change directions to fool Ned...no luck. After a number of changes in direction and the onset of dizziness, I managed to get her leashed up and ready to go. We got to the door, cracked it ever so slightly, shimmied out...and out squeezes one of the little Sheppards with us. Dog on the run.
Ned and I quickly wrangled up the little Sheppard and got a leash for him so I could walk him back to the room, however he had other ideas. He stopped dead about 10 feet from the door just like Kenya did the week before and I was stuck with Nervous trying the get back in the room and the little Sheppard doing exactly the opposite. Guess who had to go back in the room and not get walked? It's probably a good lesson
for all things in life...no matter how great the opportunity and how much someone may be willing to help you, if you do not grasp the opportunity or embrace the help, you won't get anywhere.As the sun went down, I managed to get a few minutes with Kenya in the play area. She was just as lovely as usual and I am convinced that if she were the same chocolate color that her brother was, she would have been adopted in a matter of days.
Guess who was up to her usual tricks again when I was in the kennel...can you spot the little guy having a peek over behind her?
--
Posted By Four Steps Forward to Four Steps Forward at 11/27/2008 01:05:00 PM
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages