All my life I have had a fascination with, respect for and love of
dogs. These days driving around town there is frequently a happy
panting face or two in the back of my car, eagerly anticipating a walk
or calmly tired out. I’m Tim and walking dogs for Canine
Adventure has allowed me to turn my passion into a profession.
When growing up I would spend endless hours pouring over books about
dogs, reading about dog behavior and admiring the different
breeds. Today I am keeping company with many of the dogs I
dreamed of, from feisty Pitbulls to elegant Great
Danes. I have already discovered that each dog I walk quickly
becomes ‘my dog’ and I lavish the same affection, devotion
and rules as if they were my own. At the end of the walk it is
somewhat grudgingly that I return them to their homes but greatly
appreciative that these dogs all have that same satisfied look about
them.
Over the years I have shared the lives of eight dogs, everything from
very high energy Pointer and Shepherd mixes, to very sweet hounds and
my current pack; a Bloodhound mix and a Lab/Greyhound mix. It is
not only my dogs I have gotten to know well, we are a family of dog
lovers and our many dogs are always a topic of conversation.
The dogs that have populated our lives are giants such as an impressive
Dane/Mastiff, the Leonbergers and a Newfoundland, a Chow, there
are the ubiquitous Huskies and the equally loved Lab, Pit and various mutts that we trade stories and share information about.
Marveling
at all these canines I am tempted to ask why? The behaviorists
tell us that a dog is the only animal that can read human social
signals, they can read our gestures and our body language, but for me it
is this communication that takes them from being an object or a pet to
being a part of ourselves and our families.
We are not just one person or a family of four, we are a pack of three
or a tribe of seven and with this multiplication of social contacts and
emotional connections we delve deeper into life and live more.
When we bring a dog into our lives we take on custodial
responsibilities, we feed, provide for their health and give them
shelter. For my dogs the long walks and hikes have long been a
part of their daily regimen and it is this that I believe is
responsible for the calm well behaved dogs that I live with.
It hadn’t always been like this. There was a day when a few
blocks three times a day was all the exercise they were getting.
Those were the days of the dog jumping around on the end of the lead
like the ’cocoa puffs’ character, of chewed books and
furniture and dogs that were impossible to train. Since then I
have found a well exercised dog with a purpose is easier to train and live with. My own training skills have improved over the years, sometimes
through trial and error but mostly because my ability to read a dog's
body language has improved. Today, as I go on pack walks with
Canine Adventure and learn from watching the other dog handlers,
taking advice and encouragement on my own skills, I am mindful that I
have a lot to learn but also that I have a lot to give back to our
canine companions.
Watching my dogs when I walk, I am reminded
that exercise has more then just a behavioral benefit. Both of them, a
dog little more then a puppy and my ten year old have hip
dysplasia. The older with osteoarthritis and the younger, the vet
described as “an orthopedic mess”, with bad hips and bad
knees. Keeping them active helps to keep their weight down and
increases muscle mass. I have kept an eye out and watched as the
younger dog has gone from an awkward waddling gait and gained strength
as the months have gone by. And while I know she will never be
the whippet like runner her lithe figure suggests, I am happy to see
that she can run and when a couple months ago she began jumping over
downed logs and onto the furniture, I knew she was going to be
alright. As for the old guy, when I ask him how he is doing and
he looks into my eyes and gives me a few wags of his tail, I know he is
doing just fine also.
About Bunter...
I adopted Bunter from a shelter in May 2000 he was a parvo pup and
spent most of the first week I had him on an IV drip. Bunter is a
Greyhound Lab mix who grew into a big guy who is a well mannered and
friendly dog. He has no greater purpose in life then to be his
masters constant companion.
About Sophie...
I adopted Sophie from a rescue in April 2009, she was one of two pups
born out in rural Virginia, her sibling was killed by a car.
Sophie is part Bloodhound part Lab and who knows what else. She
is a very sweet friendly girl who likes nothing more then to curl her
forty pounds into my lap and watch movies.
