Just Keep the DOG

My dearest Bruce,

I've decided to write letters to you on your blog. You can't read them. But maybe others will and maybe it'll touch their hearts enough so that they won't give up on their dog when times get rough. Maybe. It is worth a shot.

When I first laid eyes on you, I felt sad. My heart was heavy with sadness. You didn't jump and bark at people like the other poor souls in their kennels did. You laid there. You, with your sad eyes. You laid there as if your heart was broken. You looked as if your soul was gray.

When the volunteer brought you out to meet me, you sat in front if me and gave me your paw. Your sadness gripped me. I know many people are enchanted with puppy eyes and sweet doggy smiles. Many people just HAVE to bring the dog that makes them swoon home. But this was different.

You looked as if your world was over. And when you gave me your paw, it was as if you had made peace with that. As if you'd already accepted that you were at the end.

I made a promise to you that day that I would give you your last home on earth. God created dogs to teach people to love. Animals are gifts. And to see such a selfless creature resign in heartache made me angry. It made me angry at your past humans. Didn't they see that the only purpose you have in this world is to love? And they crushed you. And you accepted that. Well I don't.

I was told by a couple of vets that in a few years your hips will require total replacement and that by then you will be too old to handle it. Your pain will decide your time on earth. I promise to love you enough to make up for your past. My goal is to keep you happy until your body, not your heart, decides its time for you to go.

I am sorry that your first few years of life brought you grief. I promise to do my very best to keep your tail wagging. For the rest of your life.

Love,
Your human

Kyle is in need of your advice! He and his family just took in a rescue and are facing nasty potty training problems. Can you help?

I have a problem. The chihuahua we rescued is very hard to get to go to the bathroom outside. He is six months old and has always used the bathroom outside but now he thinks that when he goes in his crate at night it is time to use the bathroom inside of it.

I take him out right before we go to bed and right when I get up in the morning. Usually in bed by 12 up by 6.

I have tried a large crate with him a medium crate with him and finally last night the small crate thinking that his natural instinct of not using the bathroom where he sleeps would kick in and man was I wrong he made a bigger mess in the small crate than in the the other ones and lord did I have to give him a bath and clean like crazy on everything around his crate.

I refuse to get rid of him especially since my kids all have fell in love with him and my other dog cooper get along so good and the funny thing is my daughters cat and him even play. I have even lined the crates with nice soft blankets and left them bare to see if that helps and learned with him not to put a blanket in the crate unless you want it shredded lol.

Any ideas or thoughts or ways that worked for anyone else would be great I am willing to try anything at this point.

Please be respectful in your comments. Also, this is a family friendly site, so please no profanity. Thanks in advance!

Don't leave a mess for others to step in or clean up.

When I walk Bruce I absolutely cannot stand stepping in poop. No one does. It's disgusting. And it reflects on the owner, not the dog. When I see poop on the ground I think of someone who is lazy or just doesn't care.

One of the biggest lessons I learned while in the military (and it's constantly drilled into our heads) is to leave the place better than you found it. This lesson pertains to everything in life.

If you have a job, perform it in a way that you've exhausted your best efforts so that you leave a good mark behind if you resign or retire. Be a mentor for others. A good one that genuinely cares about the job whether or not you like the job itself.

If you have kids, leave their kids with parents who love them and work hard to guide them so that they are independent, confident but humble, loving towards others, and valuing life itself.

Care.

Care!

In honor of all dogs and the people who love them, there will be a weekly themed blog post. Every Sunday Just Keep The Dog will highlight a dog (randomly picked) and his/her "How I Met You" story. I think this will be a beautiful way to remind each other not only why we welcomed our furry friend into our home, but also so that love will drive is to be better humans for our dog. After all, they'd do it for us. :)

Please submit your story. Others need to hear it. You don't have to be brief or cut to the chase. Tell your story the way you remember it.

1. Draft an email and address it to JustKeepTheDog@gmail.com.

2. The subject of the email should be "How I Met You"

3. Please briefly introduce yourself. (You may change your name in this section if you wish to protect your identity) In this section please include:
-- First name and first initial of your last name.
-- Where you are from or where you call home (City, state)
-- How many pets do you currently have?

4. Please introduce your dog:
--What is your dog's name?
-- Breed, age
-- Where and how did you meet? (Please tell your story here)

5. Answer the following questions:
-- What was the first thought you had the first time you saw your dog?
-- Give one memorable moment when your dog made you smile or laugh on a rough day.
-- What is your favorite feature of your dog?
-- How do others see your dog?
-- If your dog was given one chance to speak English to humans, what would he/she say?

6. Once you answer all questions above, attach a picture of your dog.

7. Hit "send."

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell your dog's story. Look out for How I Met You every Sunday on Just Keep The Dog.

Bruce scored a 108 on the Bark Busters dog behavior quiz. :-( 108 is a D. Here's what the results say:

86 - 139 = D This category of dogs has issues that can be serious if not addressed soon. Owners of these dogs are constantly being annoyed and irritated by their behavior and are beginning to think, "Something has got to be done." Fortunately, dogs can change their behavior quite easily, so these owners should seek help immediately.

Bruce's habits are annoying but they've always just been annoying. I crate him while I'm out because his separation anxiety is so bad that I've come home to him baying and pounding on the door, broken blinds, pee stains, and more. While we're home, he behaves well except for the trash digging, table and counter surfing, kids toy stealing, and a few more. All these things are frustrating but I've learned to just live with it. As someone who has had previous dogs professionally trained through Bark Busters, I know better than to ignore the need for training. I have been lazy. There is no other valid excuse. So as a responsible pet owner I make a promise to my dog and to my family that things will change.

I've decided to go with Bark Busters because I've seen first hand the changes their program installs in dogs. Unlike many other programs that use corrective devices or other negative reinforcement methods, Bark Busters teaches you the dog language, giving you the ability to be in control. Plus, they have a 24 hour hotline lol!

So for my New Year's resolution, I promise to get Bruce into training. And I pray that you will do the same for your family. No matter which program you prefer, i pray it is a program that is safe for your dog, effective for both long and short term situations, and most importantly trains YOU so that you are confident and competent enough in the dog's language that you can be his trusted leader.

Happy New Year everyone.