A-Z Challenge ~ Dogs #atozchallenge

 

If any of you follow me on Facebook, you’d know how much I love my dogs, and, really, dogs in general. My love of dogs began when I was five years old and my dad brought home this full-grown Afghan. He was the best dog I’ve ever had. No one could come within five feet of me with bad intentions or he’d attack. Even when my mom wanted to spank me, he’d jump in front of me and protect me. She’s have to lock him out of the room first. Yes, we laugh about it now. Max really was a smart and wonderful dog and ever since, I’ve been a dog person.

 

 

This is my beautiful German Shepherd, Schatzi (sweetheart in German). We trained for three years, almost twenty to thirty hours a week for Schutzhund. It’s a combination of obedience, tracking, bite, and temperament training to test the dog’s line. If they pass all those tests, then they’re good enough to breed. This was the way the Germans determined which dogs were acceptable for breeding back in the day, now it’s a sport. It was a lot of fun and helped keep my high-energy baby nice and worked.

Both of my dogs, Rocco and Schatzi, were taught with German commands and are trained highly in obedience. I’ve trained quite a few dogs after working with them and find it so rewarding.

My Cane Corso, Rocco, is my fur-baby. He’s a huge dog, mean when he needs to be, but he is a crybaby. I’ve softened him with too much love. However, I’m not a bit sorry about it. But when he tore his ACL and needed knee surgery, it felt like my heart was being ripped out. He was in so much pain before we even knew what was wrong with him, and it got to the point where he couldn’t even walk.
So, I knew the surgery was for the best, I just worried so much for him. Then after the surgery, he really could not move. Now before surgery, he weighed 180 lbs. After surgery he dropped to 160 lbs. and there was no way I could just pick him up and take him outside to potty. It was a miserable two weeks after his operation. Worse than a colicky newborn. Loud cries all night long kept the whole house awake and even some neighbors. And nothing would soothe him. Nevertheless, we overcame the misery and he is still in recovery.
The operation caused a bit of nerve damage so his rehabilitation will take a little bit longer. We’re taking it one day at a time.

 

My babies bring me lots of happiness and contentment. They’re just as much a part of the family as my boys are and we all love them very much.

One of these days, I’d love to write a dog into one of my stories. I think they would bring happiness to a character as my dogs bring to me.

Do you have any pets? Tell me about them. 🙂