it's been a minute..

A LOT has happened since my last post, ups and downs but by the grace of God everything is just as it should be. I am coming up on 6 months since my accident and subsequently the last time I got to ride Clarke. We have moved Clarke to new barn and have a new trainer which is a LONG story (that I will get to) all by itself. We (mostly me) added ANOTHER dog to the family, Dirk, and I am finally done and about to seek funding for my latest project. Since so much has happened I am going to split it up into bits:

a new family member
Dirk, formerly Duke was turned into the Shelter by his owner who pretty much said everything you can say to get a dog put down. "Duke was aggressive towards, adults, children, other dogs, cats, you name it Duke would go after it" according to his owner. Luckily for Duke, before he was put down he was tested by workers from another shelter and proved not to be the beast he was made out to be. Unfortunately, like many German Shepherds, Duke was very anxious and shelter life only made his anxiety worse. Duke spent a month in the shelter before I saw him. And one look is all it took, I fell in love. When they told me we needed two people to view him I thought of Maddox (our other GSD) and how he was when I got him, CRAAAAZZZY. We got him to the yard and just like Maddox he did EVERYTHING except play with us but after some time when I whistled for him, over he came! SO, we (I) brought Duke home, changed his name to Dirk and began working with him. Dirk is a handful, he still is getting over his anxiety and aggression towards other dogs, but he is SO smart. At first Robb was a bit scared of him and would only approach Dirk cautiously with his hand outstretched speaking in hushed tones. But two months later all is going well and Robb loves him as much as I do. Although we still have to keep the big boys apart, Dirk and the puppy have become best friends and both are happy to compete at learning new tricks! So far we have mastered, sit, down, heel, shake(hands) and for Dirk, he knows his commands in both GERMAN and English!

                                                           Dirk chillin in the yard