One of my favorite pit bull dogs, Wallace the flying disc champion, started a “From the Vault Fridays” on his Facebook page, sharing old videos and pictures from over his lifetime. I love the idea, so here’s a From the Vault Wednesday with some old photos, all from just about a year ago (which means they’re mostly Bax :-)).
It’s Thanksgiving again, which means taking a minute to make note of what we’re thankful for. The feeling of obligation to do something like this is quickly being replaced every year by a feeling of wanting so badly to acknowledge the things in my life that make it possible for me to do what I do.
Last year at Thanksgiving I did a run down of the people in my life that I am thankful for. Those people haven’t really changed, so I don’t want to be redundant with a post about them again (though I love you all and I am still extremely thankful for you!). Which leaves me here thinking about what to give thanks for in this post.
Rather than material things or specific people, I am going to write about experiences from the past year that I am thankful for. I’m so early in my career that every new situation for me is a valuable learning experience. So much of what I know and what I stand for has been shaped in the last year. To think that just over fifteen months ago I was dogless, blogless, and somewhat clueless shows me how much I have to be thankful since then.
Fostering Baxter
Yes, I know this is an extremely broad experience – but I can’t leave it out. Fostering Baxter was a crash course in learning about training, behavior, dog-dog interactions, boundaries, teaching, compromises, responsibility, patience and love. Baxter was all mine to help grow and then adopt out. The amount that he taught me is immeasurable, really. He helped me realize that there is a difference between just liking dogs and having the knowledge to really help them, and for that I am very grateful.
Buying a 50mm camera lens
I know I said I would stay away from thanking materialistic things, but this little lens changed my photography life as I know it. The 50mm lens is affordable and can give you the most amazing photos if you’re used to the standard issue lens that came with your camera. After buying this lens I was inspired to take a photography course and invest in Photoshop, so my skills set has grown immensely. I have also since invested in a 30 mm lens (thanks to this gal’s growing skills as a photographer!). Of course I still have tons and TONS to learn, but I feel so much more confident about my photography after all I learned this past year. I am really falling in love with photography, and I am thankful I discovered this passion.
One of the first photos I took with my 50mm. I was in love with the shallow depth of field, but still didn’t quite know how to fully utilize it.
Taking Otis back
Yes, fostering Otis was an amazing learning experience as I navigated the waters of having a nervous, confidence-lacking dog. But the actual act of accepting Otis back as my foster was a big lesson learned as well. There is a lot to be said for the realization that adopting a dog out should not be where your journey ends with that dog. Every foster/adopter relationship is different after an adoption, but I feel like it is our responsibility as the foster or rescue group to step up and help a former foster dog who is losing their home. I wanted to help so many different dogs after Baxter, but I ultimately knew I had to take Otis back for his well being. I felt guilty taking him in over a dog whose future was uncertain, but it took me accepting him back as a foster to realize that his future wasn’t certain either, and I owed it to him to find him the life he deserved. I am thankful that Otis taught me the full responsibility of having a foster dog.
Participating in Project Mickey
Project Mickey is a program started by Jasmine’s House to teach humane education to elementary school children in an under-served part of Baltimore. If that sentence right there doesn’t make it obvious why this experience was so impactful, then I’m not sure I can explain what would. I only helped for two sessions in the program, but I still got to know some of the kids, how bright they are, and their stories. It is like an entirely different world than my own – one that I can really benefit from spending a little more time in. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach these kids about caring for animals, while learning so much more myself.
Adopting Otis to his new home
In the past year I’ve learned a lot about restrictions for adopters that make it difficult to adopt animals out. When I was searching for a home for Otis, I had almost the exact mold in my mind of what I wanted for him in a forever family. The person who ended up adopting him was the opposite of many things I thought I wanted for Otis, but they are perfect for each other now. This was a blatant example to me that I should always be open minded when talking to potential adopters, even if they’re not what I originally envisioned for my dog. I am thankful that I learned this first hand.
Going to Animal Farm Foundation
Another one that should be pretty self-explanatory is my week-long stay at AFF (read all about it in its own post). The amount of not only knowledge, but also passion and motivation, that I soaked up during that week truly solidified the path I am on to help animals. I learned lots about the basics of training and canine behavior, again building on the bits of knowledge I already had. AFF was fun, exciting, extremely educational, and eye-opening. I’d consider it one of my most influential experiences of 2012. I am very thankful for the opportunity to learn and interact with such a wonderful organization.
Me and Julep during our week together at AFF. Photo credit to AFF.
Participating in B-More Dog’s Community Pit Bull Day
Another example of a world I need to spend more time in. I recently heard a speaker talk about how animal advocates spend too much time thinking they’re their own audience. B-More Dog’s CPBD really opened my eyes to the whole group of people that I can reach with spay/neuter advocacy, etc. I am thankful that I got the opportunity to see all the families who love their dogs and are trying their hardest to provide for them, and I look forward to helping as much as I can in the future.
The second year at my job
Again, another broad one. But I can’t pick out specifically one part of it that I am thankful for more than another. You learn so much about planning events on the job as opposed to in the classroom (especially when you’re an Animal Sciences major…), so my first year was spent soaking up as much information I could. I learned best practices, I learned things to avoid, I learned what would make me the best events manager I could be, and I learned how to learn from my mistakes. Entering into my second year, I feel like I’ve taken these skills and ran with them. My confidence in my abilities has skyrocketed, and all of a sudden I feel more capable than ever. I am thankful for all the experiences I’ve had thus far in my career that have set me up to be the best I can be.
A photo from our annual gala, The Love Ball, courtesy of Virgil Ocampo Photography. This was the second year I managed the event, and it felt 100x smoother.
I’m sure I forgot even the most major milestones of this past year – it’s hard to believe I can write so much about the ones above and still have more blessings.
I’m also extremely thankful for all of you who stop by every morning and show your support. I so appreciate you reading, commenting, following and sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving week (or day or month) of gratitude to you and yours – furry friends included of course :-) I hope you have a lovely Holiday among family and friends!
Thankfully I am here with good news about Baxter’s recovery. He is home and healing up in the comfort of his own family! He was released from the hospital Tuesday evening, and his family was up all night keeping him comfortable and giving him meds. As you could have probably guessed, he has been subjected to the cone of shame.
I actually got the chance to go visit him yesterday! His hero Big Bruno was babysitting ‘the kids’ all day, so I stopped by during my lunch. Baxter was in great spirits and greeted me at the door with the rest of the welcoming committee. They are a silly bunch, those three.
He’s got a bunch of energy, which is good – but it means they have to be extra careful about keeping his activity level low. The silly guy barely acts like he almost died!
His parents are being so wonderful and taking such great care of him. I am thankful that he found them as his final place to land. Baxter has a long road of recovery ahead of him – right now he can only eat every few hours and is still on lots of medication – but he is in the best hands possible. I will surely keep you updated on him!
Raise your hand if you’re SO HAPPY that election day is over and we can stop listening, watching and reading political advertisements? I know I sure am. No matter who you wanted to win, the fact of the matter now is that it’s over and we can move on with our lives instead of being continuously bombarded with political banter all day on social media.
I appreciate my friends’ efforts when they share their beliefs about what is right (so, basically who they think I should vote for). But I found that more often than not, their comments just came off as accusatory or derogatory in a, “It’s only obvious that you should vote for ________ because of X, Y and Z,” sort of way.
I started to realize that all the opinionated, obnoxious political blabbering had some similarities to the messages that rescue organizations or advocates sometimes send out. Animal welfare advocates can at times be pushy, pointing fingers, or just plain mean. All because one person believes they’re much more correct than another person/group. Sound familiar? Presidential election, anyone?
Now I can admit fault for this as well. Specifically when it comes to social media, I try to tone down how much I preach on the Peace, Love & Fostering page – but I sometimes get carried away on my own personal page (hey, ranting is what Facebook is for, right?). But overall, I’m a laid back, non-confrontational, why-can’t-we-all-just-get-along sort of person. Sure, I might not agree with you – but I’m very much the “catch ‘em with honey, not vinegar” type. Which is why spiteful, accusing political ads bug me just as much as “my way is the best way” rescue groups.
On that note, I believe there is a major difference between educating on an issue versus just slamming the other side. You might be thinking right now, “Juliana, you can come off as opinionated and pushy in your beliefs right here on this blog.” First of all, sorry if I seem pushy. Second of all, yes, I have this public platform and I try to use it to spread ideas, but my intent is to do so in an educational way, not in a pushy or demanding way. I wouldn’t turn down someone trying to have a calm, intelligent discussion with me about something I write about. In fact, I welcome that because I truly believe you learn the most when you’re being open minded. Which is why I hate politics season so much. I haven’t once felt like someone was honestly just trying to educate me on either candidate, as opposed to just saying, “He’s wrong and he’s right” in so many words. The same goes for dogs and rescue work. If you disagree with something I believe or I’m doing, explain to me why you don’t like it or what a good alternative would be. Let’s have an honest conversation. Maybe we’ll both learn something.
I suppose the joke’s on me for spending a whole post ranting about politics, right? Well my point is just: try not to be a political ad, but maybe be more of a kind-hearted PSA.
Baxter in his finest USA gear. Thank you for all your well wishes on yesterday’s post. Baxter is steadily recovering, and by now should be home resting with his family. We will keep you updated as we hear more.
It seems our favorite little monkey has gotten himself into some tummy trouble for the third time. On Sunday morning Baxter went to the emergency vet and was rushed into surgery to fix an intestinal blockage. As many of you know, this is an unfortunately familiar situation for Mr. Baxter.
When I first brought Baxter home to foster – actually just about one year ago today – I was warned that he was a foreign object eater. While unsupervised at the rescue farm, he had gotten access to a leash and consumed it. He went through surgery to remove it, but while recovering at the vet’s office he ate part of a towel that he pulled into his cage, and he had to go under a second time to have it removed. He healed up from both surgeries, but has severe scarring on his intestines.
At my house we were diligent about picking up anything he could eat or leaving him in his crate if we weren’t home. Even then he still managed to find a leash, pull it off our kitchen table, and eat half of it in the five minutes we weren’t watching him. Luckily he passed that one though. We’ve never been able to figure out what causes his urge to eat these things. Our best guess was anxiety, which made sense because for the last eight months he’s been completely fine in his new home since he is always with his siblings. Until now.
His family rushed him to the vet Sunday morning after he was lethargic and couldn’t go to the bathroom. X-rays were inconclusive, so they decided on exploratory surgery and their worst fears were confirmed: they found a towel wrapped around his intestines, beginning to cut into them. It seems they caught it in the nick of time. The vet made it clear that while Baxter made it out of surgery okay, he is not out of the woods yet. Because this was the third time his intestines have had to endure this, there is severe damage and we’re not sure how he’ll heal up. They gave him the prognosis of a 75% chance of full recovery.
For now, we’re all just waiting and sending lots and lots of good vibes to his parents, who are worried sick. He hasn’t been released from the hospital yet, so every day is a waiting game to hear reports from the vet. Please keep Baxter and his family in your thoughts and prayers! He has been through so much and I’m sure he will bounce back from this too, but he needs all the positive thoughts he can get right now.
The more I’m learning about dog behavior, the more large-scale dogs events make me cringe. I can now pick up on stress signals, signs of discomfort, poor social skills, warning signs, etc. – and I’m realizing that these behaviors, as you can imagine, are widely prevalent at events with lots of dogs and people. Even though most of the dogs that attend these events are dog friendly (because they’d be kicked out in an instant if they weren’t), doesn’t mean that all the dogs present are having an easy time.
In order to keep dogs and people happy at big events, it’s important to stay in tune with your dog. I recommend reading up on dog behavior and stress signals before braving one of these big events. That will give you some tools to recognize issues as they arise, before they become a bigger problem. After watching others attend these events and going to many myself, here are some tips I think are helpful for big public outings:
Come prepared with appropriate equipment. Make sure you bring everything you need to set you and your dog up for success. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you do not take your dog to big events using retractable leashes. There is hardly any control with these leashes, and in high activity environments you need all the control you can get. For the sake of all other dogs and owners at the event, I encourage you to stick to 4′ or 6′ standard leashes. Many events, especially if run by a humane society or rescue group, have policies against using retractable leashes.
Bring lots of TREATS! I understand that shoving a bunch of treats in your dogs mouth won’t solve real problems, but it can sure help manage some when you’re out in a distracting environment. Often times when there is an overwhelming amount of stimuli, your dog will only pay attention to you if you’ve got something they want: yummy food. In new environments it is essential to be able to capture your dog’s focus. Treats will help enormously for this, especially if they are high value.
Don’t test at big events. An easy way to set your dog up for failure is bringing them into a high stress situation and having the “they can sink or swim” mentality. Socialization doesn’t come in the form of mass interactions with lots of people/dogs/things at one time. Socialization should be controlled, positive experiences. Events can be so overwhelming for dogs – to the point that instead of learning proper social skills they just shut down. It is much better to work on your dog’s reaction to new people, dogs, etc. at a threshold where they will still be able to learn and progress.
Understand that dogs are dogs. I think the worst thing we can do for our dogs is to anthropomorphize them. This leads to all sorts of unrealistic expectations: Fluffy should like all the dogs, Fluffy should behave all day because this is fun, Fluffy should listen to me when we’re here just like at home, etc. We have to be understanding that these events are so high stress and different for most dogs that they might not act like they do normally, or they might act differently than we expect or want.
Know your/their limits. It does not help anyone to overdo it with your dog. Dogs are extremely sensitive and can go from being fine to absolutely not fine in a matter of minutes. It is essential that you stay in tune to how your dog is reacting to other dogs or people, and the minute things start getting hairy, you skedaddle (like I mentioned – don’t use these big, unstructured events as tests or “learn to deal with it” situations!). Your dog might not necessarily need to leave all together, but a time out away from all the hubbub can really help a dog’s mentality. Baxter behaved perfectly for over an hour at the Nationals game, and we listened to him when he told us he’d had enough. We distanced ourselves from the crowd and hung out together at a separate table. We knew that was the best way for Baxter to finish the afternoon off successfully, so we made it happen. We didn’t push him, and we ended the afternoon on a great note.
There are the lucky few out there who have dogs that are game for anything and everything. But there are also a large number of dog owners who don’t realize what they’re putting their dogs through when they bring them to these tough situations. I’m not saying your dog will never be able to attend these sort of dog friendly events, I just want dog owners to be aware of how their dogs are handling situations. That makes for a happier and safer environment for everyone, and who doesn’t want that?
Instead of these large scale events, I am always a supporter of smaller ones that are more controlled, like B-More Dog’s walks where the dogs aren’t allowed to meet each other, and Pittie Trails where we work specifically on skills around other people and dogs. I like to live a life of always setting my dogs up for success!
Some might say the perfect day would consist of a ball game, a beer, and your favorite dog. Last Saturday, I got the chance to live that perfect day. Every year the Washington Humane Society teams up with the Washington Nationals for a ‘Pups in the Park‘ event where people can bring their dogs to the baseball game. Yes, you read that correctly. People are actually allowed to bring their dogs inside the stadium to watch the game! Each dog needs a ticket (at a reasonable $8) and all the proceeds from the dog seats go to WHS! How cool is that!? And would you guess who I went with.
I was able to go with Baxter’s whole family! Big Bruno, Baxter’s long time buddy who first helped him in the shelter, and I met up with Bax and company at the game and spent the afternoon there together. Since the last time I visited Bax, his family has added a new furry member! Meet Didi, a “pit bull” dog that seems to be mostly jack russell terrier judging by her spring board jumping abilities and her need to smell absolutely everything.
It was a good thing there were four of us, because these three pups are quite the pack together. They were all on their best behavior for the game though – I was very impressed.
There were a ton of people and dogs there, especially since the Nationals have been having such a great season. Baxter, Didi, and Piggy all pretty much minded their own business when it came to other dogs, but the people were another story. The pups were making smiles every where they went – especially with kids!
It was a great afternoon, with the icing on the cake being the big win by the Nats. Can’t wait to bring my own foster dog next time around!
I had an awesome weekend going to two different events that involved LOTS of dogs! Take a look at these two preview pictures and see if you can guess what I did (and who I did it with!). There are key clues in both photos.
There’s MUCH more where these came from. . . stay tuned!
Today is FosterDad’s birthday! Unfortunately we can’t spend it together because I am here at AFF and he is out of the country for work, so I wanted to do a little celebration on the blog. Happy Birthday to the man who is supportive of my fostering endeavors, often stuck behind the camera, usually picking up after me and my dog, understanding of (and joins me on) my crazy dog schedule, and happy to help me in whatever way he can. I couldn’t do this without you – so happy to be on this journey with my best friend!
In case you hadn’t noticed: I’m a sucker for memories. When I part ways with something I love – whether it’s a human, a dog, a place – I like to have items around that remind me of the happiness that person, dog, or place once brought me.
For example, I got this charm for my Pandora bracelet when Baxter got adopted. To me, it signifies all of the hearts that went into his rehabilitation. So many people were a part of his rescue, and that is what made his case so special – so that’s what I like to remember. I wear this bracelet every day and I’m constantly reminded of my little Bax.
Next up is something a little larger than a charm bracelet. A few weeks ago I made over my childhood bedroom. Now that I am living here as an adult some things really needed to go. The room hadn’t been painted in 30+ years and it was time for a new look. After a weekend of painting and remodeling, I had fresh blank walls with nothing to put on them. Remember how I mentioned my occasional issue with following through on projects for myself, and how my boyfriend is often the remedy? Well this one DIY wall decoration task was no different. I wanted a way to show off my fosters in my new room, but couldn’t figure out the best way to do that.
Mark ended up constructing a diagram of picture frames to put on one wall in a sort of collage design. It would take about a dozen picture frames of assorted sizes, mixed in with three canvases he got me online. I picked out the photos I wanted and spent hours measuring, leveling, and applying adhesive to get it all up. The end result? A gorgeous wall that highlights each foster through some of my favorite photos. (I also took this as an opportunity to try out my brother’s fish eye lens!)
I am in love! Now I get to wake up to their shining faces every morning. I cannot think of a more perfect way to remember these guys. The idea is to slowly swap out pictures as I get more fosters, but I don’t know which one of these I’ll be able to part with – each photo was chosen for a specific reason. It’s so fitting I got this up just around my One Year Blog-a-versary.
Last but not least, I received a package in the mail from Mark’s mom a few days after Otis got adopted. Inside was this wooden plaque:
I often find it hard to put into words just how and why I foster (especially while my heart is broken after saying goodbye to another). This seems to sum it up better than I’ve ever been able to. Sure, it’s tough letting one go, but the next one fills that hole in your heart and then some. This was the last bit of art to go up in my room – a very fitting piece to complete the collection.
Is it just me, or does everyone do special things like this to remember their dogs? What do you all do?
