I found something to do!

I had a 2 hour volunteer orientation at the county animal shelter. I'm one of those people that like animals more than people. Apparently I need to take a total of 5 hours worth of classes on how to train and handle does with what I want to do there. Well, one of the thing I want to do there. Anyway, here is my conundrum with this. It's not that I'm opposed to listening to what they have to say, but I know how to handle dogs. I know how to train dogs. I can train them with positive reinforcement, treat driven or properly using a pinch collar or choke chain. Before ya'll gasp, they are effective tools when used correctly. Just one quick pop, no pulling on the pinch or the choke - that doesn't do anything for you. I'm lucky enough to have a husband that works in a field where he is around dogs all the time, and his BFF is a trainer in that field. So, to say I know how to properly handle a dog and can read their behavior is a pretty correct statement. So, Friday - I get to learn how to handle dogs and if I'm lucky I can do my training for training the dogs then. I pretty well let the coordinator know that I'd be willing to learn and do anything within the shelter.

I'm a huge fan of dogs, we have 3. I have 2 chihuahua mixes (roughly 7 pounds) and I have a pure bred German Shepard. I'm going to have a hard time not bringing all the dogs home. I'm also going to have a hard time when the dogs get adopted or worse, put down. My husband has stated that if there is a behavior issue with a dog and they are going to put the dog down that he'd be okay with fostering the dog and working on the behavior issues and then trying to find a home for the dog.

The truth is, I'm a dog person. I'm not talking my preference to dogs over cats, it's a preference to dogs over people. Especially in this town, people just aren't nice or friendly. It's like everyone doesn't want you here and that they feel like you are intruding on their "space". Dogs aren't like that. They are pretty unassuming, they are always happy to see you. A kiss for you when you're sad and eyes that tell you how much they love you. My dog, Edda is my constant companion and is learning how to be my "service dog". She's learned to brace so I can use her to help get up. Next up is getting her a handle harness so I can grab here when I'm swaying in other words, lost my balance and trying to regain it. She also is always by my side a constant reminder of constant and unconditional love.

I feel like a nap..Edda is waiting! :)