It was a busy day for Dog Support and an intense and meaningful one.
Prudence’s owner and I talked about making a plan for the gentle rescue of Great Dane to get over her very severe fear of people.
She asked me if I would agree to speak with her once a week for a while – the first person to do that – and I said sure, we could have a special low price for her.
I got a scolding. “No way,” she said, “don’t undersell yourself; I pay $175 every time a trainer comes to the house, you are worth at least $50, and I won’t pay you less. You have to get a business head.”
I appreciated the message. I need it.
I’ve been scolded by Maria and my bookkeeper about this, and even my therapist chewed me out.
I have to try to get a business head; it’s not an easy thing for me. I am not a business person and don’t wish to be one.
But I need to charge what I charge.
We got off to a great start talking about Prudence, a passionate food eater, as many abused dogs are. That’s one path through fear. And it will work. Dogs do not starve to death when there is rich-smelling food around.
I suggested that she bring pungent food out for Prudence an hour or so after the regular morning feeding time, bring it into her kennel, put it down near her, and then retreat to the other side and sit quietly.
If Prudence cowered but didn’t take the bait, then after a while, pick up the food, take it out, and try again in half an hour. That will get her attention.
She loved that idea. We went over a half dozen, and I am looking forward to this project. I’ll stay with it as long as I’m wanted and helpful. I’m very hopeful.
I suggested friends and neighbors walk about 20 feet past the kennel once or twice a day without looking at her or asking anything of her.
Maybe they could toss some meatballs over the kennel fence once in a while. Dogs love the people who feed them. That’s always a great start to training and building trust.
We had some other ideas, too; let’s see what happens. This woman is fun to work with; she is stubborn, intelligent, and loves Prudence. I’m going to share what is working and what I’m learning.
Prudence likes to be petted; another way in; she runs and hides whenever she sees a new person. We can work with this.
I had a painful but powerful conversation with E, whose beloved border collie has terminal cancer, and she is agonizing about how to handle it.
I said the goal was to minimize her suffering and the dogs.
She doesn’t want the dog to be living on medications or suffering, and the dogs.
She is having a tough time letting go. This will take more than one conversation.
We’ll keep talking about this, I gave her some ideas that she liked, but I told her to think about them for a day or two; we’ll talk again on Thursday.
I’m working on getting organized about this and settling the money issue. I don’t want this to be all about money, but I also want to be paid fairly. I will work on it.
I’m not going to be the hardass I’m being told to be, but I’m not going to be squishy either. There is a balance, and I’m looking for it.
Dog Support is becoming an essential part of my life, and I’m sticking with it.
I’m booked through this week and much of the following week. I charge $50 for a half hour and accept Paypal and Venmo payments, a check if necessary, at least for now or until I am proved foolish.
I ask that people write me as precisely as they can about what help they seek from me and send me a photo of the dog in question. I learn a lot from looking at seeing them.
If you are interested in some Dog Support, e-mail me at [email protected], and I’ll respond. We’ll take it from there.
Considering the bc with cancer, a friend has a philosophy I like very much. When they know time is coming near, they give their dog a best day and have him/her put to sleep at the end of that good day, rather than wait until the dog is suffering and in the worst pain. We’re fortunate in our area to have vets who will come to the home where the dog is comfortable and loved. It’s a personal choice, of course, but it’s a gentle, loving one.
I totally agree Georgann. Almost a year ago my beloved Pomeranian, Pippin, who was almost 16, let me know it was his time. He was diabetic, 2x a day injections, had a myriad of other health issues through the years and even survived being attacked by another large dog at age 13. Pomeranians are known for their smiles and he had the biggest one in spite of all the difficulties he overcame in his life. Being as close as we were I knew he was telling me it was his time. I set up to have a Vet who works for Lap of Love come to the house to help him leave the world. The day before and day of we celebrated his life with him. Our family gave him a month early 16th birthday party with pizza and ice cream cake which he ate and enjoyed. I took him for a walk in the neighborhood in his dog stroller. He sat out on the lawn and took in all the smells. That is what struck me the most. He was almost blind, slightly deaf but he sure could smell and made the most of it! I was so grateful that I was able to do this for him and for me! It certainly has helped me with my grief.
getting paid for your Dog Support: Jon you are wearing two hats, a dog psychologist and a human psychologist so at $50 it’s a good deal.
It feels good, Sharon.