The Courage of Dogs

We've seen the video of the dog in Alaska who, when asked by his fire-ravaged owner to get help, raced down snow- and ice-covered roads in the backcountry to find and lead a state trooper to his master's side. Buddy the shepherd was honored for his role saving his owner.

I think dogs in general, some in particular, display an abundance of courage in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I think about my good friend Deb, and her Belgian Tervuran, Hokey, as the two traversed a cavern of canine cancer. Hokey is now in remission. I think about my neighbor's mixed-breed, who despite being tethered in the front yard almost daily (for hours, and no, animal control has taken no steps despite my repeated calls), maintains her calm, sweet, disposition. She's courageous because while she is neglected, she has not lashed out. I remember my dear first Labrador Retriever, the late great Sam, the dog who taught me patience in the face of great change in my personal and professional life.

Sam also served as my inspiration while I wrote my first book, "DogLife: Labrador Retriever." I wrote every page of that manuscript with Sam's photos on every wall of my office. His framed rally and obedience titles are daily reminders of the courage he displayed, the trust he placed in me while my shaking hand led him around the rings. The ribbons and rosettes -- green and red and blue and yellow and white -- that Sam earned during his senior years, prod me to learn new things and play new games with the Mudpuppy pack.

Gracie's titles and ribbons, and young Story's recently earned title certificates and accompanying ribbons, are displayed on other walls.

There will only be one Novice A dog in any competitor's life, and for me, that was my Sam.

There will only be one first book in any writer's life, and for me, that is "DogLife: Labrador Retriever."

I could not have written without courage, and I learned it from Sam. Now, I have to push way out of my comfort zone and actually promote the book. Here is my not-so-subtle reminder:

"DogLife: Labrador Retriever" is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. If you have a Lab, if you think you might want a Lab, or if you've been lucky enough to spend some part of your life with a Lab, I think you'll enjoy this book.

There, that's all the courage I can sustain. I need to go pet my dogs.

Story's Success

While I wait for the release of my first book, "DogLife: Labrador Retriever," due in August, I've been training my young Labrador retriever, Story.

This is the dog that has made me a better trainer. For example, when I was pulling my hair out because I could not get her to pay attention to my commands, I took her collar and leash off, took her into the bathroom, and sat with her, just a clicker and a handful of treats on the counter. Every time she looked at me rather than looking at the closed door, I'd click/treat. We continued this routine for about 10 minutes daily for a week. Then we progressed to the hallway. Then into the den, with the added distraction of my older Lab, Gracie, who pretty much gets to be where she wants to be and do what she wants to do on account of her age (10+).

After a month of that, Story fell into a new habit: she'd sit with me in my home office and hold her dumbbell. She'd fall into heel position as I paced the house (writers do a lot of pacing while we work). If I paced in circles in the yard, Story trotted along in perfect heel position. She doesn't always twist her head around and look up at me; instead, she learned to watch my shoulders or my feet or my knees for cues.

After about three months of this, and after my book manuscript was at the publisher, we resumed our competition classes. All of Story's hard work paid off in a huge way.

In April, she earned her ASCA CD (Australian Shepherd Club of America Companion Dog) title (this registry welcomes breeds other than Aussies at its obedience and rally trials; even mixed breeds are encouraged).

In May, Story earned her AKC CD.

I never thought I would get to this point with this dog. She has been a challenge, and a joy.

And now, while I begin to train her for the really fun stuff, the retrieving and jumping in Open classes, I'm again writing.

This next book will be about Chihuahuas. I'm certain now that Story will heel while I pace and circle and write and research and interview folks. I'm certain that the foundation skills I reworked with this Lab will pay off, and carry over into the Open ring. She has hit a stride and found her comfort zone. Meanwhile, I will test my own limits writing about a breed unfamiliar to me.

I have a good team around me, though, and we are ready.

Pet Disaster Plans

We've just had a horrible weekend in the South with the spring storms that bring tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Tragically, people died. Twelve as of today. More than 700 homes in Mississippi were damaged or obliterated. Businesses, churches, gone. Untold numbers of pets lost their homes or their lives. A twister touched down in North Georgia and damaged property. Some cities in Alabama and the Carolinas experienced similar destruction.

If you live in a storm-prone area, you should have disaster plans not just for your family, but for your pets. In hurricane or wildfire zones, plan your escape routes. During flash floods (which hit my county hard last autumn), know how you'll get away, and where your nearest shelter is located. During tornado season, determine the safe area in your home (typically the northwest corner on the lowest level) and set up sturdy crates for all your animals. Practice drills, and make sure your dogs and cats will reliable enter their crates upon command. Fill a plastic bin with at least three days' worth of pet food, clean water, and first aid supplies like flashlights, gauze, and medical tape. Include extra leashes, collars, and muzzles for your dogs (an injured dog is more likely to bite out of pain and fear, so safety for the human rescuers is an important part of your disaster plan).

And remember, a trained dog is much easier to handle than an untrained dog. This is a good time for refresher training on recalls and loose-leash walking. Don't wait until you need certain behaviors from your dog; rather, plan for the unexpected.

Here in Georgia, when disaster strikes and folks need to evacuate their homes and go to a public shelter, laws have been changed that now require human shelters to accommodate family pets. Some humane societies, boarding kennels, and veterinary offices will take in pets for the short term. Find out in advance where your pets are welcome if you need temporary housing.

My prayers are with those families to my west who lost loved ones last weekend.

Green Dog Ideas

Happy Earth Day! For dog owners who would like to make green decisions, there are several things to consider.

For example, how do you get rid of your pet's waste? While some communities require doggie doo go into double-black bags before disposal, others recognize the value of green alternatives. No, I'm not suggesting you throw your dog's poo into the creek (in many areas, that contributes to the levels of bacteria in streams and rivers).

You can, though, invest in biodegradable bags. Since you're a responsible pet owner, and you always pick up after your dog on daily walks, biodegradable bags are a good green alternative for waste disposal.

Other Earth Day suggestions: once your puppy outgrows his collar, wash it good and donate it to your local shelter or rescue organization. Ditto with crates. Invest in good stainless steel water and food bowls, rather than plastic ones (which my dogs have always managed to chew and mangle, so the stainless options last a lot longer).

You get the idea . . . you can have pets and use environmentally friendly supplies.

On another note, I'm pleased to announce that my youngest mudpuppy, my black Lab Story, earned her novice obedience title from the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) registry. I'm finally feeling connected to this challenging pup, and she is finally maturing. Labs are slow to grow up emotionally, and while I still call her my "puppy," Story will be four years old this summer. Ah, time flies.