Visit at the shelter - were we got these 2

Just after having been called - for a picture on the same day 

We got these 2 dogs from what is now Sammie's Friends, a nearby no-kill shelter, and today was our first visit there...as volunteers. Here is how it came about:

Ever since having taken on the task of taking care of our new dog, the beautiful German Shepherd-Husky, which has been with us for 3 1/2 months now, I have been gathering information about how to best train her, find out about the best food, make time every day for training her and the other 2 dogs we have. You learn a lot - about the various ways things can be done - and you also find out what is being done out there that gets many dogs a sentence in the shelters - and often on death row.

It was a rainy day for our first trip

One of the things I'd like to do with our German Shepherd-Husky is to find ways to get her exposed to a few more things so she can relax about them. This also applies to our rat terrier. Because of this we decided  to continue with the training classes, just give to give them some more exposure on how to behave on a leash when other dogs are around. Luckily the dog trainer we had come to our house works at the shelter we got 2 of our dogs from. I talked with her and it's ok to include trips to the shelter.

Two of our dogs had found a temp-shelter home here too

We also arranged for Natalie to start volunteering there, something she has been wanting to do for a long time - and today was to be the first day her and Skye were scheduled to go there. Unexpectedly, it's a rainy day, so the outside grounds really were not gonna work too well for a first time - so we decided to just get a glimpse of the dogs inside. They get walked twice a day by volunteers. They all have their story.
Sammie's friends on facebook

A lot of pitbulls were in this shelter - some are the most gentlest of dogs, some abused and in need of rehab

Absolutely beautiful, playful 4 mo old mastif mix? - great time to adopt

This Malamute will find a home for sure - says Beverly

The gang back home

After holding still for a picture before the treat for coming when called - so good to run around again - even in rain :)

Sammie's friends website

How could you?

I found this story in German on a site with the most beautiful pictures of a certain breed of German shepherds.
I really like their philosophy.


Here is the story in English, German and Spanish.

How could you?

Copyright Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved - but free to distribute if not commercial as far as I know.


When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End

¿Cómo pudiste?

Copyright/Derechos de autor: Jim Willis 2001
tiergarten@onebox.com
[Translated from the original English by Henry Cuevas of Bogatá, Colombia]

Cuando yo era un cachorrito yo te entretenía con mis travesuras y te hacía reír. Tu me llamabas tu niño y a pesar de que te mordí un sinnúmero de zapatos y te destruí un par de almohadas, yo me convertí en tu mejor amigo. Aunque yo era "malo" tu me señalabas con tu dedo tembloroso y me preguntabas "¿Cómo pudiste?", pero luego tu cedías y me tomabas para rascarme la barriga.

Mi cuidado de la casa fue mas corto de lo que yo esperaba, debido a que tu estabas terriblemente ocupado, aunque trabajabamos juntos. Yo recuerdo aquellas noches contigo en la cama y me acariciabas la nariz, escuchándote tus confidencias y tus sueños secretos y yo creía que la vida no podía ser más perfecta.

Nosotros hacíamos largas caminatas y corríamos en el parque, montábamos en carritos y parábamos para tomar un helado (yo sólo tenía el cono), porque tu me decías "el helado es malo para los perros". Yo tomaba largas siestas bajo el sol, esperando por tu regreso a casa al finalizar al día.

Gradualmente tu empezaste a gastar más tiempo en tu trabajo y en tu carrera y más tiempo buscando un compañero humano. Yo esperaba por ti pacientemente, confortándote tu roto corazón y tus desplantes. Nunca te reprendí acerca de tus malas decisiones y celebraba con júbilo tu regreso a casa y cuando estabas enamorado.

Ella, ahora tu esposa no es una "persona perro" todavía le doy la bienvenida a ella en nuestra casa, tratando de mostrar afecto y obedeciéndole. Yo era feliz, porque tú eras feliz. Entonces los bebés humanos llegaron y yo compartí contigo lo excitante de esto. Yo estaba fascinado con sus travesuras, con su olor y yo quería ser la madre de ellos también. Solamente ella y tu se horrorizaban de que yo pudiera hacerles daño y yo pasé mucho tiempo desterrado en otra habitación o en el guacal para perros. ¡Oh! cuánto los amaba, hasta convertirme en un prisionero de amor.

Cuando ellos comenzaron a crecer, yo me convertí en su amigo, los lamía, mientras ellos galopaban sobre mi espalda; con sus dedos urgaban mis ojos y mis orejas, dándome, además besos en mi nariz. Yo ame cada cosa de ellos, sus caricias - porque tus caricias ahora son infrecuentes - y yo hubiera defendido la vida de ellos, con mi vida si hubiera sido necesario.

Me gustaba meterme en sus camas y escuchar sus temores y sus sueños secretos y todos juntos esperábamos el sonido de tu carro en la calle. Hubo una época, cuando otros te preguntaban si tu tenías un perro, tu sacabas mi foto de la billetera y les contabas historias sobre mí; pero desde hace pocos años tu respondes sólo sí y cambias de tema. Yo había pasado de ser "tu perro" a ser sólo "un perro", y tu te quejabas de cada gasto sobre mi mantenimiento.

Ahora tu tienes una nueva oportunidad de carrera en otra ciudad y tu y ellos se estarán mudando a un apartamento donde no permiten perros. Tu has tomado la correcta decisión por "tu familia", pero hubo una época en la que yo era tu única familia.

Yo estaba excitado montado en el carro, hasta que llegamos a la perrera. Me olía a perros y a gatos. Tu llenaste el formulario de entrada y dijiste: "yo se que ustedes encontraron un buen hogar para ella"; ellos encogieron los hombros y le te hicieron un guiño. Ellos entendieron la verdadera cara de un perro de mediana edad.

Tu tuviste que separar los dedos de tu hijo abrazado a mi collar cuando él gritó "¡no papá, no permitas que ellos se queden con mi perro!". Yo quede preocupada por él, pero que lección la que tu aprendiste de tu hijo, acerca de la amistad y de la lealtad, acerca del amor y de la responsabilidad y acerca del respecto por toda forma de vida. Tu me diste un adiós, acariciando mi cabeza, mirándome a los ojos y educadamente rehusándote a tomar mi collar y trailla contigo. Tu tenías un límite de tiempo para este tiempo y ahora, yo también lo tenía.

Después de que tu me dejaste, dos lindas señoras dijeron que tu probablemente sabías que te mudarías meses atrás y no habías hecho el intento de encontrarme un buen hogar; ellas acentaron sus cabezas y se preguntaron ¿Cómo pudiste?.

Hay cierta cortesía en la perrera para nosotros, siempre y cuando los complicados horarios lo permiten. Ellos nos dan de comer por supuesto, pero yo perdí mi apetito hace días, casi siempre alguien pasa frente a mi corral, yo me precipito esperanzada de que fueras tu - que has cambiado de parecer - lo que fue un mal sueño, o yo esperaba a que fuera alguien con caridad, que pudiera salvarme.

Cuando yo me di cuenta, yo no podía competir por la atención con las travesuras de los cachorros felices. Obviamente, me desvanecí y me retraje a una esquina lejana a esperar.

Yo escuché los pasos de ella, cuando vino a recogerme al final del día y yo chapotié a través de un ala lateral después de que ella me puso en una habitación separada. Una feliz y tranquila habitación, ella me acompañó, revisó mis orejas y me dijo que no me preocupara. Mi corazón latía más rápido de lo acostumbrado, pero también había una sensación de realidad. El prisionero de amor volvió en días. Como es mi naturaleza, yo estaba inquieto acerca de ella. Descubrí la pesada carga que ella llevaba sobre sí; a pesar de que lo disimulaba con humor.

Ella gentilmente colocó un torniquete alrededor de mi brazo y yo lamí su mano, de la misma forma que lo hacía para confortarte años atrás. Ella expertamente me aplicó una inyección con su aguja hipodérmica en mi vena y yo sentí un punzón y un líquido fresco corriendo a través de mi cuerpo, yo caí en sueño profundo mirando sus lindos ojos, murmurando: ¿Cómo pudiste?.

Sin embargo a que ella entendió mi hablado de perro, ella manifestó "lo siento tanto". Ella me abrazó y rápidamente me explicó que era su trabajo y que para estar segura yo iría un mejor lugar, donde yo no sería ignorada, o abusada o abandonada y no tendría que ganarme la vida por mi misma. Un lugar de amor y de luz, muy diferente a este lugar terreno. Con un último trozo de energía yo traté de expresarle a ella con la punta de mi cola que mi ¿Cómo pudiste?, no estaba dirigido a ella, era para ti. Yo creeré en ti y te esperaré por siempre.

Podría alguién en su vida continuar para mostrarle lo mucho de su lealtad.

fin

Als ich noch ein Welpe war, unterhielt ich dich mit meinen Mätzchen und brachte dich zum Lachen. Du nanntest mich "dein Kind" und trotz einer Anzahl von gekauten Schuhen und einigen Sofakissen, die ich "ermordete", wurde ich dein bester Freund. Wann immer ich "ungezogen" war, zeigtest du mir mahnend den Zeigefinger und sagtest: "Wie konntest Du?" - aber dann hattest du dich sofort erweichen lassen und rolltest mich zur Seite, um meinen Bauch zu kraulen.
Meine Aufenthalte in der Wohnung wurden während deines Studiums immer länger, aber ich riss mich zusammen. Ich erinnere mich an jene Nächte, als ich mich an dich im Bett ganze nahe anschmiegte und dir zuhörte, wie du im Schlaf gesprochen hattest und ich glaubte, dass das Leben nicht vollkommener sein könnte. Wir gingen in den Park, um dort lange spazieren zu gehen oder um herumzutollen, wir fuhren mit dem Auto irgendwohin, kauften uns ein Eis (ich erhielt nur den Rest der Waffel mit ein wenig Eis, weil, "zuviel Eiscreme ist für Hunde nicht gesund", sagtest Du), und ich hielt im Sonnenstrahl, der durch die Balkontüre ins Wohnzimmer hinein schien, ein langes Schläfchen und wartete so, bis du von der Arbeit nach Hause kamst.

Allmählich verbrachtes du mehr Zeit auf der Arbeit als zu Hause mit mir, um "Karriere" zu machen. Auch verbrachtest du nun sehr viel Zeit damit, um einen "menschlichen Partner" finden zu können. Ich wartete immer geduldig auf dich, tröstete dich bei Liebeskummer und deinen Enttäuschungen und freute mich ebenso mit dir, als du Erfolg bei einer Frau hattest. Sie, jetzt ist sie deine Ehefrau, ist kein "Hundeliebhaber", aber trotzdem begrüßte ich sie in unserem Heim, respektiere sie und zeigte ihr, dass ich sie mag. Ich war glücklich, weil du glücklich warst!

Dann kam die Zeit, in der Babys zur Welt kamen. Ich teilte die Aufregung mit dir. Ich war von der glatten Haut und vom angenehmen Geruch des Babys fasziniert, so dass auch ich sie bemuttern wollte. Aber du und deine Frau dachten nur daran, dass ich den Kindern schaden und sie verletzen könnte. Daher musste ich die meiste Zeit nun verbannt in einem anderen Raum verbringen, Oh, wie ich sie lieben wollte, aber es war mir vergönnt, denn ich war ein "Gefangener der Liebe". Während sie anfingen zu wachsen, wurde ich ihr Freund. Sie zogen an meinem Fell, griffen auf wackeligen Beinen nach mir, stießen ihre Finger in meine Augen, forschten an meinen Ohren und gaben mir Küsse auf meine Schnauze.

Ich liebte alles an ihnen, besonders ihre Berührungen, weil Deine so selten wurden. Ich war soweit, dass ich die Kinder notfalls mit meinem Leben verteidigen würde. Ich war soweit, in ihre Betten zu schleichen, um ihren Sorgen und geheimsten Träume zuzuhören. Zusammen mit ihnen das Motorengeräusch deines Autos zu erwarten, während du in die Einfahrt fuhrst.

Vor langer Zeit, als man dich fragte, ob du ein Haustier hättest, zogst du aus deiner Brieftasche ein Foto von mir und erzähltest mit vollem Stolz über mich. Die letzten Jahre antwortest du nur noch mit "Ja" und wechselst das Thema. Ich war früher "Dein Hund" und bin heute "nur ein Hund"!

Dann hattest Du eine neue Karrieregelegenheit in einer anderen Stadt, und du und deine Familie zogen in eine Wohnung, in der Haustiere nicht erlaubt waren. Du hattest für dich und deine Familie die richtige Entscheidung zu finden, obwohl es einmal eine Zeit gab, in der "ich" deine Familie war. Mann oh Mann, hatte die Autofahrt Spaß gemacht, bis ich bemerkte, wo wir angekommen waren.
Es roch nach Hunden und Katzen, nach Furcht und nach Hoffnungslosigkeit. Du fülltest Papiere aus und sagtest, dass du wissen würdest, dass man ein gutes Heim für mich finden würde. Die beiden Damen hinter der Theke zuckten mit den Achseln und zeigten dir einen geschmerzten Blick. Sie verstanden die Wirklichkeit, der ein Hund mittleren Alters gegenüberstand, ja sogar ein Hund mit "Papieren", Du hattest die Finger deines Sohnes von meinem Halsband lösen müssen, während er weinend schrie "Nein Papa, bitte lass mir meinen Hund nicht wegnehmen!" Ich wunderte mich in diesem Moment nur, wie du ihm gerade Lektionen über Freundschaft und Loyalität, über Liebe und Verantwortlichkeit beibringen konntest. Zum Abschied gabst du mir einen Klaps auf den Kopf, vermiedest dabei, mir in meine Augen zu schauen und lehntest höflich ab, mein Halsband und meine Leine mitzunehmen. Du hattest einen Termin einzuhalten, nun habe ich auch einen! Kurz nachdem du gegangen warst, sagten die zwei netten Damen, dass du vermutlich Monate voraus vom Umzug wusstest und somit auch eine Möglichkeit vorhanden gewesen sein musste, einen "guten Platz" für mich zu finden. Sie schüttelten ihre Köpfe und fragten sich ... "Wie konntest Du?"

Die beiden netten Damen widmeten uns ihre ganze Aufmerksamkeit, wann immer es ihre Zeit zuließ. Sie fütterten uns täglich und ausreichend, aber ich verlor meinen Appetit bereits vor Tagen. Anfangs, wann immer jemand an meinen Gehege vorbei ging, hetzte ich zur Frontseite und hoffte, dass du es bist, dass du deine Meinung geändert hättest und dass alles nur ein böser Traum war, oder ich hoffte, dass es zumindest jemand sein würde, der mich mögen könnte, der mich retten würde.

Aber die Wahrheit war, dass ich es nicht mit den liebenswerten, kleinen und so tolpatischen Welpen aufnehmen konnte. Weltvergessen in meinem eigenen Schicksal zog ich mich in einer weichen Ecke zurück und wartete ab.

Eines Tages, es war am Nachmittag, hörte ich Schritte. Man holte mich ab, ich ging über einen langen Korridor, bis ich an dessen Ende einen Raum betrat. Es war ein seliger, ruhiger Raum. Die Frau platzierte mich auf einen Tisch, kraulte meine Ohren und erklärt mir, dass ich mich nicht zu sorgen hätte. Mein Herz schlug in voller Erwartung auf das, was da kommen sollte.

Gleichzeitig hatte ich ein Gefühl der Entlastung. Mir, dem Gefangenen der Liebe, gingen die Tage aus. Gemäß meiner Natur war ich mehr um die nette Frau besorgt, als um mich selbst. Ich erkannte, dass sie eine Belastung trägt, die tonnenschwer sein musste. Sie platzierte leicht einen Aderlass um mein Vorderbein, während eine Träne ihre Wange hinunterkullerte. Ich leckte ihre Hand in der gleichen Art und Weise, wie ich es bereits Jahre vorher tat, um dich zu trösten. Sie schob sachverständig die hypodermatische Nadel in meine Vene. Nachdem ich den Einstich und den Eintritt der kühlenden Flüssigkeit in meinen Körper verspürte, lehnte ich mich schläfrig zurück, schaute dabei in ihre freundlichen Augen und murmelte: "Wie konntest Du?". Möglicherweise verstand sie meine Hundesprache, denn sie sagte, "Es tut mir leid!". Sie umarmte mich hastig und erklärte, dass es ihr Job sei, mir einen besseren Platz zu verschaffen, wo ich nicht ignoriert, missbraucht oder verlassen würde. Einem Platz, an dem ich mich nicht verstecken müsse, einen Platz der Liebe und des Lichts, der so anders sei als auf Erden.

Mit meinem letzten Bissen von Energie wedelte ich mit meinem Schwanz und versuchte ihr so zu sagen, dass mein "Wie konntest Du?", nicht gegen sie gerichtet war. Ich dacht an dich, mein geliebtes Herrchen. Ich werde immer an dich denken und auf dich warten. Möge jeder dir in deinem Leben immer diese Loyalität zeigen.

Einige Worte des Autors:

Wenn "Wie konntest Du?" Tränen in Ihre Augen trieb, dann erging es Ihnen genauso wie mir, als ich dies schrieb. Jedermann ist es erlaubt diese Geschichte weiterzugeben, solange es einem nicht kommerziellen Zweck dient. Erklären Sie der Öffentlichkeit, dass die Entscheidung, ein Haustier in eine Familie aufzunehmen, eine wichtige für das Leben ist, dass Tiere unsere Liebe und unseren Respekt verdienen


Jim Willis.

The real German Shepherd Herding Dog

In awe of the real German Shepherd herding dog!
In my attempt to do right with our new German Shepherd/Husky dog from the shelter and after observing her around the cows the other day, I could so see the herding instincts in her. She also exhibits much independence and shows little interest in learning "tricks". I see though that she could be happy herding, which might sound like a humanizing description, but it seemed she was happy. She seems to come to live in herding and guarding though that is not going to happen in her present circumstance - which is why I went back online in search of "work" ideas for her. I myself feel such an affinity for something quite indefinable here - and then I stumbled upon these pages which describe the German Shepherd herding dog - and I am in awe.

Times have changed - and dogs are raised for different reasons now - but this is amazing.
It seems that some of the lineage is being carried on on the Nickelsberg farm.

The Training of a German Shepherd Herding dog

The link below is an interview with Manfred Heyne - and it is totally worth it to read it all, especially the descriptions on how he selects the suitable puppies, the way they work together.

Priceless - Interview with Master German Shepherd Dog Trainer and Breeder Manfred Heyne

Nikko with the flock at Schloss Eisenbach – 1990    

Shepherds and their dogs - 19th century - and still today - in Germany

Being a Shepherd(ess)

In looking for guidance on how to best train our new year old German Shepherd/Husky  which we picked up 3 months ago from the shelter, I came across a couple of sites describing a way of working with German Shepherd dogs that ring deeply true.

For a number of years I have wondered and felt that somewhere, sometime, I was a shepherd. Before observing our dog with the cattle the other day - what triggered it was this thing about liking, or rather, a deep familiarity of eating bread and cheese, not neatly done, but by hand, in a chunk,  and the love and naturalness of walking in nature with a stick.
This is a great site for herding dog info Herding Dogs - German Shepherds - a must read for German Shepherd lovers - and his story of escaping East Germany is worth a movie.

When I took on the job of training our new dog, it seems to have come back, the instinct to walk, the dog just around somewhere, staff in hand. The other day I went into the other pasture to get her back from herding cows - something just felt so familiar....I even knew that is was not proceeding the "right" way - but her instincts are there - keep those big cows away from the fence and out of sight...she did this in a short time and happily returned...the cows seemed fine with it too.

The picture above looks a lot more romantic than it likely was - but the times way back then were different than today. Shepherds were poor and few had 3 dogs.

I look at the pasture and wish there was a herd of sheep to take care of, with enough  land to graze on. I'd love to walk it, with a couple of dogs doing their jobs. Our new dog is quite independent, and somewhere buried, she already knows how to do this. You'd think it would get old, being out there with a hard and simple life, alone a lot. There are moments of freedom there though, lots of them.

Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wurden in Deutschland, Holland, Belgien, Frankreich, Italien, Ungarn usw. riesige Schafherden von Hirten mit Ihren Hunden betreut. Je nach Region und Land entstanden unterschiedliche Typen von Schäfer- und Hirtenhunden: Aus diesen Vorgängern entstand in Deutschland der "Deutsche Schäferhund", in Frankreich der "Briard, Picard, Beauceron" und nahe der spanischen Grenze die Pyrenäenhunde, in Italien der Maremmano, in Ungarn der Puli, Kuvasz usw.

This here is the first certified "shepherdess" in Germany. It takes 3 years of apprenticeship. It is her dream job.

Dream - job - shepherdess Read more here - it's in German tho...

Feeding your German Shepherd Husky

What to feed your German Shepherd/Husky?

There is a lot of info out there on what is best to feed your dog. Some even go all vegan, and then there is the all raw food diet. Commercial foods have the advantage that they are already calculated to be balanced...but their ingredients are often questionable. There is a budget consideration also.
I figured to have a mix of commercial soft and kibble food, a more or less daily vitamin, a sardine and egg for the oils and biotin and other nutrients and some bones and meat - plus treats - might be a good way to go.

So ok, she is about 1 year old and weighs 59 lbs atm. (up 3 lbs from a few weeks ago)
After some experimenting and observation of her likes, dislikes and eating habits as well as sensitivities, I feed her more or less this:

- 1 to 1 1/2  cans/d of soft commercial dog food
- about 1 cup/d of lamb based kibble
- a meaty bone or a soup bone (she LOVES this) - best for her work beef neck bones.

I know  - the small bones. The loose ones I take out, and she chews well. I figure, wolves eats all kinds of bones - but then, their live span is not that long. In any case, I think dogs are basically equipped to handle raw meat and bone.

- 1 sardine/d - for the oils, and I might up that to 1-2/day.
- 1 raw egg about 3-4 times/week

- and she gets  lots of treats during training
Since she is not very food oriented - I kept having to upgrade from kibble, to hot dogs to meat cubes and now to cheese and cooked carrots and I use the sardine as a treat as well - because she LOVES it. I use it all in the course of the day...only during training.
OH she gets 2 large dog biscuit/d from someone else.

I found when I feed her more, she looks like she gains too much weight. So I adjust it week to week. She gets more when it is very cold outside (she is an outside dog).
So far she's been fed twice a day - after early morning and late afternoon/early evening training...plus the treats during other training sessions.

So far she is happy, healthy and vigorous with this and has a nice shiny coat.
These photos are from this morning playing in the sun.

Jeweled Landscape

These days I get to walk the dog (s) in the very early morning  in weather that has ranged from pouring rain to subfreezing temperatures. Yesterday morning I saw a jeweled landscape for the first time: frozen condensation and droplets on grasses hit by sunlight at an angle that broke the white light up into the prismatic colors...and everything sparkled like colored gems...really cool.
In fact, getting out that early one gets to see a beauty only available at that time of day. Here are just a couple of pictures to give you an impression. The sparkles are not quite as obvious here in the backyard, still - you can see them.

Dog Training as Spiritual Practice

It has been 2 months now since we got Skye, our 1 year old German Shepherd/Husky, from the shelter - and with that started my new job assignment, this "quest", to stay with gaming a bit, of training a dog.

I fell in love with her, am still in love - only more so. I love to watch her move - do anything really. The beauty and elegance is amazing. Watching her play with Shakti is a pleasure. She must have grown up with other big dogs in a good way. Her general disposition towards humans is friendly (Husky), as well as aloof, needed to be won over (German Shepherd), her energy open, very playful, energetic and determined when it comes to following a scent and digging. Her energy definitely needs channeling and outlets - though at this point,  observing her getting tired much sooner than I thought and after watching some videos,  I no longer think she has a high or very high energy level, but more  moderate to medium high - but still, seems higher than mine.
After falling a few times (being pulled over describes it more accurately) and my legs looking bruised as if seriously abused and after jamming a thorn almost 8 mm into the thenar (thumb pad) of my right hand requiring antibiotics within hours - I started to get more serious about proper dog training.

Wow...a really cool journey, as well as demanding and challenging and ongoing - with no end in sight for as long as either of us lives.

As any new subject or area you're getting into, dog training is a whole world onto itself, and much the same rules apply when penetrating into a new world. I love this one, and part of it is having such a beautiful and strong animal to work with.

I started observing her patterns much more diligently, went online for training info and in the course of that, discovered the world and work of Ceasar Millan, the "dog whisperer". Amazing if I may say so -  and I started using what I learn and see there. Despite any controversy, from what I have read, seen and experienced,  he is a master in this realm. Some of the description of states he gets into in the course of his work remind me, or rather caused me to intuit what we call some high spiritual states of being.

In the course of this exploration, there's a discovery  of things  we  could have done better had we taken the time to inform  ourselves what we were getting into before getting each one of our more recently aquired dogs.  Type of dog, time, attention and training not properly considered and given when needed has to be dealt with in the form of bad habits they developed. (HINT: important work habit ideas here too). It is impossible to train one and ignoring the other 2 dogs. You can't train a dog in a vacuum. So I don't just have Skye to deal with, but also the other 2, one of which came to us as a sweet, eager to learn but already dog aggressive 4 month old puppy, only we did not recognize it at the time. The other was sweet and eager to please us, but is now deaf...which is really difficult when you try to establish  a "come when called" habit. He just does not hear you - but the other dogs don't know this and follow him...if he does not have to listen...why should I? Dogs mimic each other, learn from each other.
And I remember both of them coming in and having thought: Beautiful animals, good energy - and also: it's not my dog, I have a lot of things to do, don't have the time to "play" with them...
True remorse arises having failed the responsibility to these beings entrusted to us. They did not get what they needed. They got fed and vet care but not a lot else. Their training was left to the older dogs, which had worked in the past, - which were very well behaved - but very different breeds and temperaments. Somehow the excuse: it was not my dog...does not actually work. Not in real conscience. Somehow ignorance is not an excuse....somehow the non-willingness to help is not on par with the spiritual game.

So, if you are thinking of getting a dog, here are some things you may want to do or consider:
actually, to be more honest, I'd say: you have to do, should do and that I want you to consider!!!

- if you want to get a dog - meet with your family, the people you live with, the dog's future pack, and talk about what it will mean for everyone.
A dog is a social and pack animal. A cohesiveness and cooperation of the pack will affect how healthy, balanced and happy your new family member will be. Talk about the time and energy it will require for someone to train the dog. Assign the various tasks, like feeding and walking the dog depending on the family member's schedule. If you think you can get your emotional love needs, empty nest syndrome or security needs met by getting a large, high energy dog and not willing to train him properly...get real by getting informed!

- start with reading a couple of  Cesar Millan's books (Ceasar Millan: "Member of the family" and "Cesar's Way" are the 2 I read) and watch a few of the Dog Whisperer episodes on National Geographic.

- decide if you have the space,  financial resources and willingness to pay for all costs - vet, fence, food, toys, training and so on for your dog.

- get a dog that matches your energy level or is of a lower energy level than yours!!!!!!!! It takes a lot to do a dog justice that has a higher energy level than you do.

- get a dog that will and can do the task you intend it to do - as in: a husky does not make for a good guard dog.

- learn about what a dog, any dog, naturally does and needs to be a happy, balanced animal that can be enjoyed by all. Also learn about special characteristics and needs of the dog breed your are getting.

You are taking on a responsibility for a being - who will be happy to serve you, be your companion, teacher, protector, playmate - but it is an animal and a dog first - learn what it needs to be able to be the dog you know it can be.


Training a dog and training the animal in you.  Now this is where it gets even more interesting. I don't know if you could "get" grok the importance of the pack functioning and what that alone really means for a work group, or what it means to take on the responsibility for an animal. Some things about dog training however you will find in E.J.s books and also hear a lot during the workshops. The way I am coming to see it, it also seems to address Integral Spiritual Practice in surprising ways.

Exercise  - physical exercise is  extremely important. Your dog MUST get the physical exercise it needs for it's breed and temperament. If not, you will pay a price. For me, Skye is becoming an aid to get my own body in better functioning shape...:) - though for now it's been mostly hurting....

Mental exercise: yes, your dog needs that too - learning commands and discipline as well as boundaries will do that. For you, studying written information or taking instructions with those experience in the matter is helpful,  and necessary in most cases. You can, of course, always do it in the "do it yourself" fashion. I found reading about the way of dogs very helpful, and I am registered for dog training classes :)

Discipline and consistency. .....daily routine, training, never miss, follow through - the essence of spiritual practice - is essential in dog training and establishment of habits. In case you wondered, dogs really don't know about Christmas or vacations - no matter how many times you tell them. They are still ready to go at 600am :)

Meditation and attention - The proper way to deal with a dog is in a calm assertive state of being. Dogs read your energy - not human words and talk.
This means when interacting with your dog, you stay calm and  assertive no matter what is going on with you! or in your life!!!!
This is, I am finding, essentially a meditative state of being.
Reading your dog's mind and body language requires unfailing attention.

How's that for a challenge? Your dog will read pity, comforting, sadness, anger, frustration, overwhelm and other such human emotions as  a sign of weakness....and learn to not respect you as someone he/she needs to listen to or can trust to handle things.
If you want a well behaved, happy dog without aggression or fear problems - it is best to treat him a certain way,  each time and every time.
One observation: Often folks interpret a dog's hyper-excited state with happiness to see them and contribute to it with their own "hyperness"

Relationship - well, if it's just you and your dog, I suppose you don't have to deal too much with the "pack" members of the human family in your house. However - training your dog as a spiritual path will affect your relationships because you yourself, doing the practices required, will change.

Social conscience: You will naturally look for associates and other folks on this path and you get a heart for helping other animals in need, get the ideas of teaching and informing anyone who will listen to not contribute to the misery many animals in this country are subjected to through ignorance and non caring.

In effect, training a dog is a full spiritual practice....especially if you are training a higher energy dog, strong, independent minded and energetic with an irresistable hunting drive and your environment poses somewhat challenging conditions.

Like Ceasar Millan sometimes says: You don't get the dog you want - you get the dog you need :)

As for Skye, our beautiful Husky/German Shepherd puppy/adolescent, I really want to preserve her wonderful disposition, playfulness,  boisterous and open energy - just tamed, with good habits, trained to follow command so as  not to be scary or in any way or at any time dangerous or destructive for humans and fellow dogs alike - and including cattle!
It'll take work.

Now - chasing cats, squirrels and other rodents - that's a whole other story

:)

Quick snapper just now on the barn porch, before the hailstorm.