Who Am I? And What am I Doing Here?

Who am I? Well that’s a loaded question. The basics? A dog trainer, business owner, almost-thirty-year-old, tree talker. Forgetful, opinionated, lover of people. I’m rusty, I haven’t written in some years; since departing college, creative writing class, and living through some life stuff. But it will come back, just let me warm up. Introductions always seem most awkward to me. Especially over the web.

What can I promise you? Honest thoughts, problems, suggestions, and concerns. The kitchen sink of dog training, animal behavior, and exploration. I will find a path soon, but for now it will be like the life I am currently running, a little of this and a little of that. Information for pet dogs, thoughts on agility training, and stories of the two souls who let me follow them around every day.

About them, I could write all day. Formal introductions to come in following weeks. Onni will be my main subject since we are “up and coming” together. He is he own type of Border Collie, fiercely loyal, hard working, silly, and perfect.  All legs and tongue. He is the one impulsive thing I’ve done that has turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I am dependent and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Stark is my husband’s dog, officially. He is a mix from the south, adopted to fill a hole overflowing with grief. He is a dog with a heart of gold, and my best business partner. He has the highly sought-after position of “neutral dog” in my business, and for that I am truly grateful. Quite frankly, I couldn’t do everything I do without him.

I have a few focuses that I am currently obsessed with. First being: enrichment for dogs. Puzzles, games, toys, searches, sniffs. It is becoming its own industry (thank God) and I can’t wait until it’s common knowledge and practice to feed pet dogs out of puzzles instead of bowls. Until then, I will write my thoughts on why you should figure out a way to help satiate your canine’s highly evolved mind.

My second obsession is consent, specifically related to reactive dogs, environmentally sensitive dogs, and average pets. In a world full of animal lovers, it’s amazing how little pet dogs actually get to consent to.  Think about it the next time you ask Fido to get in the car, does he hop in willingly? Or do you find yourself heave-ho-ing him in anyways, because after all, he loves the dog park once he gets there, right?

I am not afraid to make a mistake, none of us should be, so here I go. Head first into the land of blogs.