Page 37 - DoggieRescue E-Magazine July 2015_Neat

JULY 2015 DOGGIERESCUE.COM MAGAZINE
Thanks to the support network at DR, especially Libby
Young whom I could not be more grateful to for her
advice, we persevered in developing a solid set of
management and training techniques. We walked and
swam daily and I began to figure out the type of dogs
she liked to be around. We had victories alongside the
stressful moments— like the first time my twin brother
came over to meet her. While everyone else who came
to visit received a fairly intimidating security check Snow that he made roast beef sandwiches especially for her!
adored Mat immediately like she had always known him.
Inspired by the progress Snow was making with the right
guidance and my work at DR I resolved to become a
dog trainer. Snow even learnt a complex skill to secure
my passing grade - who says an old dog can't learn new
tricks! Now equipped with new skills I ventured forth to
make Snows life even better. Having fostered her for
over 2 years now I found myself caught out talking about
my dog Snow... Not for lack of trying but Kyle wasn't
budging on our compromise.
To my dismay an adoption enquiry came for Snow, the
first from a family with the experience required to take
on a dog like her. I begged but Kyle wasn't open to
discussion - a deal is a deal - and as right as he was I
was simply devastated. However, after a few days of
anxiously awaiting confirmation of the appointment Kyle
came to me to say that after much thought he just
couldn't be the person who took Snow away from me.
“ Please, consider opening your home to a ‘golden oldie’ and you will be rewarded with their
kind, gentle presence and their everlasting gratitude and love every single day....” Jess
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Snow has been such a loving and loyal companion for
over two years and while it hasn't all been easy if I had
my time over I would definitely choose her again. The
joy she has given us through her silly, dopey antics has
been immeasurable. The pride that comes from seeing
her progress in her training is like nothing else I have
experienced. She has even accompanied Kyle to work
and wove her way into one tradie’s heart so effectively
I am so thankful to DoggieRescue for giving dogs like
Snow a second chance at a happy life. As a mature dog
Snow has readily embraced all aspects of offshore life,
and is now adept at hopping in and out of boats, enjoys
a daily bush walk and in the warm weather a swim in
Pittwater. Each day there's some measurable achieve-
ment in her training, be it social skills or party tricks!
There are many beautiful older dogs at DoggieRescue
that would thrive in a caring and compassionate home
and are overlooked in favour of a younger candidate.
Even if realistically they may not have as much time left
on the clock as an 8 week old puppy and some (but not
all) may come with a little baggage think of them as a
more refined and mature option compared to their
younger counterparts. It's hard to describe but I'm sure
there will be countless others who will agree with me
when I say you will never know how grateful and loving
a dog can be until you've cared for a mature companion.