We've had "Baby" for over a year. We new when we got her, she definitely had some trust issues. It took several months to house brake her, and even longer to teach her even basic commands (sit, stay, heel, etc). In the spring we enrolled her in a basic dog obedience class. But she freaked around the other dogs, the leader of the class, and cowered terribly and wet and pooed herself. YUCK!
Understanding she was probably a victim of abuse, we've tolerated her barking, her shyness, and inability to be around other dogs and people. However, recently, when she got out of the house and wouldn't come when called or get in our van, I realized giving in to her fears was the worst thing we could do.
After an hour and a half of not getting anywhere with her, our entire family gave up. I was angry and said so many things that I wish I could take back now. One of them was, "Well, she's been with us a year. She should trust us." Another was, "Fine, get hit by a car, you deserve it." I acted like it wouldn't bother me.
But as she wandered toward the highway running circles around us, I cringed. We tried to catch her again, but to no avail. So we ran along the highway hoping she'd follow us because she loved to chase us. That's when it happened.
As fast as lightening, she shot out into that 4 lane highway. My heart sank and I let out a hellish scream that could wake the dead. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Too late!
My scream was deafened by honking horns and squealing tires as cars tried to stop. My worst nightmare flashed before my eyes as I envisioned her being thrown under the the wheels of the car. A precious 15 pounds of sweetness--gone forever!
That's when something bigger hit me. Just like Baby, I was abused most of my life too. I thought about how long it took me to really trust my third husband after being abused by the other two for so long. It was definitely more than a year. We've been together 17 years and sometimes I still have trust issues.
"God forgive me."
In a split second the greatest miracle happened right before my eyes. Baby didn't get squished by the car that hit her. Instead it ran over her left paw, the tire burned against her left jaw, and she went running across the highway, completely missing the other two cars headed straight for her.
"Thank you God," I cried as I ran after her.
She whimpered as she hobbled at a fast pace for 3 blocks and then stopped. We picked her up into our arms, carried her home, and called the vet. I thought for sure she had at least broken her leg. So we prayed, "God please heal her and don't let her have any broken bones."
By the time we got to the vet, she wasn't even limping anymore. He checked her over and said, "It's definitely a miracle that she's even alive. But what's even more amazing is that she doesn't have any broken bones."
Tears filled my eyes. I was so thankful to God, not just for healing our precious BABY, but for showing me that I should never give up on anyone or anything--because FAITH and believing heals all wounds in time!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
She's A Bully
Baby, our new min-pin, rat terrier, chiahuahua mix is definitely a handful. We call her "our bully". She's the exact opposite of our other dog, Snickers. He never has to be caged if we go away or leave the room, she always has to be caged, sometimes while we're in the room. She's chewed 3 holes in my carpet, dug up and chew at my throw rug in front of the door, gnawed through various headphones and cell phone charger cords, mp3's, you name it, if there's a cord, you might say she's plugged in!
And walking her has been a real treat, or at least trying to train her to heel on a leash. She thinks she's a Rottweiler and wants full control, until she sees a dog ready to attack her. Then she lets out this whimpy squeal and acts like a psycho dog. But I totally understand, because that's what true bullies do--they bark at other dogs unless a bigger dog comes at them.
We use her in presentations to teach kids that bullies need love too. We definitely love her, but we don't take her crap, instead we train her up and discipline her so she's not a bully and abusive to others anymore. We're not going to throw her away just because she's a little hard to handle, no, we're going to love her more and work harder at training her to be the best dog she can be.
Because really, there's nothing more precious than when this little bully cuddles up in my arms at the end of the day and gives me kisses. It makes everything I invest in her more than worth it.
So don't give up on your bullies, love them, discipline them, and help them to be the best they can be!
And walking her has been a real treat, or at least trying to train her to heel on a leash. She thinks she's a Rottweiler and wants full control, until she sees a dog ready to attack her. Then she lets out this whimpy squeal and acts like a psycho dog. But I totally understand, because that's what true bullies do--they bark at other dogs unless a bigger dog comes at them.
We use her in presentations to teach kids that bullies need love too. We definitely love her, but we don't take her crap, instead we train her up and discipline her so she's not a bully and abusive to others anymore. We're not going to throw her away just because she's a little hard to handle, no, we're going to love her more and work harder at training her to be the best dog she can be.
Because really, there's nothing more precious than when this little bully cuddles up in my arms at the end of the day and gives me kisses. It makes everything I invest in her more than worth it.
So don't give up on your bullies, love them, discipline them, and help them to be the best they can be!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Dogs Stole The Show--Press Release in Newspaper
The Dogs Stole The Show
On Christmas Eve, the Pet Therapy Team of Owosso, put on two trick presentations for local patients. Lisa Freeman and her two dogs, Snickers and Baby Ruth put a short program they called, Twas The Day Before Christmas. The first skit was held at Memorial Healthcare for patients in the extended care unit. And the second presentation took place at Pleasant View Medical Care Facility for the elderly.
Lisa talked about various forms of abuse and violence through poetry, stories, and real life encounters. Baby Ruth even came out dressed in her black and white prisoner costume. “I use her to demonstrate a bully or abuser,” Lisa says. “She’s truly the bully of our house.” A few minutes later, Lisa holds up a picture of Baby in a pretty pink princess costume. “But I explain that even though she’s bad sometimes and acts mean, that in my eyes she’s a princess, and I still love her and will work even harder to train her.”
Later, Baby and Snickers came out in their Santa suits. “As I explain how to get safe in a violent or abusive situation, the dogs put on a variety of tricks.” All the patients cheered and clapped as the pooches performed. On command Snickers gave “five”, sat, crawled, spoke, laid down, sat pretty, rolled over, and even jumped through a hoop. While Baby is still learning, she ended off with a cute little dance routine. “The dogs definitely stole the show,” Lisa says. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The team ended off by doing what they do best—Pet Therapy. While Lisa passed out Christmas cards, candy canes, and a warm hug to patients, Snickers and Baby gave kisses and let everyone pet them.
“So many people came up and thanked us,” Lisa said. “But I explained that we’re the ones who are truly blessed, because we get to give a smile to so many people who may be lonely, sick, or sad.” See actual article with pictures @ www.abusebites.com.
Lisa and Snickers feel sad sometimes too, because there aren’t enough people in the community doing Pet Therapy. “Sometimes we’re so busy doing workshops,” Lisa says, “I can’t always get to the hospital or nursing home.” That’s why in January they are offering a Pet Therapy Class to anyone over the age of 12 who’s interested. Students will learn the tricks to getting their dog certified. “There are definitely some tricks you must know,” Lisa says. “Snickers passed the test after working with him for only 10 days. But there were other dogs there that were being professionally trained for months that didn’t even pass.”
Email Classes will begin in February 2008. For more information, please contact Lisa Freeman @ lisafreeman1@charter.net.
On Christmas Eve, the Pet Therapy Team of Owosso, put on two trick presentations for local patients. Lisa Freeman and her two dogs, Snickers and Baby Ruth put a short program they called, Twas The Day Before Christmas. The first skit was held at Memorial Healthcare for patients in the extended care unit. And the second presentation took place at Pleasant View Medical Care Facility for the elderly.
Lisa talked about various forms of abuse and violence through poetry, stories, and real life encounters. Baby Ruth even came out dressed in her black and white prisoner costume. “I use her to demonstrate a bully or abuser,” Lisa says. “She’s truly the bully of our house.” A few minutes later, Lisa holds up a picture of Baby in a pretty pink princess costume. “But I explain that even though she’s bad sometimes and acts mean, that in my eyes she’s a princess, and I still love her and will work even harder to train her.”
Later, Baby and Snickers came out in their Santa suits. “As I explain how to get safe in a violent or abusive situation, the dogs put on a variety of tricks.” All the patients cheered and clapped as the pooches performed. On command Snickers gave “five”, sat, crawled, spoke, laid down, sat pretty, rolled over, and even jumped through a hoop. While Baby is still learning, she ended off with a cute little dance routine. “The dogs definitely stole the show,” Lisa says. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The team ended off by doing what they do best—Pet Therapy. While Lisa passed out Christmas cards, candy canes, and a warm hug to patients, Snickers and Baby gave kisses and let everyone pet them.
“So many people came up and thanked us,” Lisa said. “But I explained that we’re the ones who are truly blessed, because we get to give a smile to so many people who may be lonely, sick, or sad.” See actual article with pictures @ www.abusebites.com.
Lisa and Snickers feel sad sometimes too, because there aren’t enough people in the community doing Pet Therapy. “Sometimes we’re so busy doing workshops,” Lisa says, “I can’t always get to the hospital or nursing home.” That’s why in January they are offering a Pet Therapy Class to anyone over the age of 12 who’s interested. Students will learn the tricks to getting their dog certified. “There are definitely some tricks you must know,” Lisa says. “Snickers passed the test after working with him for only 10 days. But there were other dogs there that were being professionally trained for months that didn’t even pass.”
Email Classes will begin in February 2008. For more information, please contact Lisa Freeman @ lisafreeman1@charter.net.
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