Lessons

Happy Saturday Everypawdy! I have officially been in my forever home now for 7 weeks and a tripawd for 3 months. I am quickly learning that I can do pretty much anything a dog with four legs can do (both good things and not-so-good things). People who meet me don’t always realize at first that I only have three legs. In fact, my family and I are finding out that it’s my missing toe on my front foot that is more of a hindrance than my missing leg because it was an important toe for balance and it is on the same side as my missing leg. Don’t worry…it doesn’t stop me from doing what I want to do!

Let me first start by telling you about the amazing benefit The Natural Pet Enrichment Center held for me on February 11th! My parents felt that since there were so many people that followed my story on the news, they wanted to give my “fans” an opportunity to meet me and see how well I am doing. I had such a great time! So many friends, family and beloved customers of the store came in to meet me and some of them even brought their fur friends! Chris and Mark McCoy, the store’s wonderful owners, and their staff advertised my benefit, organized a 50/50 raffle, raffled off some bags of cat and dog food and set out jars for monetary donations. Diane Weinmann, animal communicator and customer of the store generously donated her time to speak with fur friends and their families. She donated all of the proceeds to my cause, The Second Chance Fund which was set up by the Lorain County Animal Emergency Clinic where the injured me was cared for in November. The donations from the raffle and monetary donations were also added to the fund for a grand donation total of $823! This money will be used to treat the medical needs of stray animals who come into the clinic so they can be placed into rescue groups that will help them find furever homes. My foster mom Cindy and her husband Bruce also came to visit me at the benefit. Boy was I glad to show them the brand new me! My parents take me to The Natural Pet often because it is a great place for me to meet new friends and to work on my manners. I love everypawdy there so much…they are like family to me! If you want to see some pictures from my benefit (thank you Elsa!) and pictures of my visits to The Natural Pet, just visit the store’s Facebook page (just search by typing in The Natural Pet Enrichment Center) or watch my friend Dave Nethers’ news clip http://fox8.com/2017/02/11/chance-the-dog-gives-back-to-those-who-helped-save-him-from-bullet-trap-wounds/

Last week was a very big week for me because I started school! I am taking classes to be a Canine Good Citizen at Woof Wise Dog Training with Chris Lantzer. My parents went with me for a private lesson with Chris a week before school started last Tuesday. I had the opportunity to show Chris what I know before class started. She said I am smart enough to skip a beginner’s obedience class and go right to the Canine Good Citizen Class. I like to learn and my mom and dad practice my “homework” with me every single day (sometimes twice). Chris said there is a test I have to pass in March in order to be a Canine Good Citizen…I’m worried I won’t pass the test! In order to pass I have to learn how to focus on my parents, not get excited to meet new people and dog friends (and I LOVE to meet new friends), stay in one spot while my mom walks away and even be ok with a stranger when my mom or dad go out of sight! I have only been with my family for a few weeks so I am still learning that when they leave they ALWAYS come back and I get a little worried when I can’t see them. I cannot do everything the same way dogs with four legs do so we have to make some adjustments. I cannot walk in tight circles so when I “heel” I have to walk behind my handler and I get tired of sitting for long periods of time so I do most everything lying down. The most challenging obstacle for me right now is walking on a leash. I have a bad habit…I pull on the leash but I can’t help it! I get so excited whenever I think I am going somewhere! I am not very graceful when I walk and my gait is slightly different than most tripawds thanks to that dang missing toe. We are taking baby steps with the leash walking. I try my best but sometimes my nose gets carried away and takes me to places faster than my mom likes. My mom says that I cannot go to school with her until I pass the test so now I know how much pressure her students must feel about passing tests! My teacher Chris says I do a pretty good job in class and she thinks I have a lot of potential as a therapy dog. She made me feel better by saying that very few dogs pass the test the first time (there is only 4 weeks of school before the test) but I can take the class a second time to perfect my skills and then retake the test. I like to think of myself as an “A+” student so I will work really hard to pass the test the first time.

My mom and I working on “watch me” in dog class as my dad looks on

 

Me practicing “stay” in the backyard.

 

I’ve also learned some lessons at home. First, I’ve learned that my parents ALWAYS come back to get me, wherever I am. Sometimes my mom takes Lucy and Eugene and me to my grandma and grandpa’s house to hang out with the “Golden Girls” for the day and my dad drops me off for my water therapy once a week. I hate when they leave me but I am so excited when they return and we ALWAYS come back home at the end of the day. I’ve also learned that the cats are the boss…I am not allowed to chase them and they must have the right of way at all times. They put me in my place when I get too close or act too crazy but if I am calm and quiet, they will let me get close to them. Bodie and I love our daily brushes in the mud room (he goes first of course). Last night I learned that thunderstorms are nothing to be scared of (even though Eugene thinks so) and the one lesson in the house I have to learn is that the basement is NOT as scary as it looks. I go upstairs to the bedroom just fine but the basement stairs still creep me out).

As always I’ve included some photos from this week:

WARNING: thou shalt not proceed in descending the steps when feline is present

 

Lesson: cats are friendly when you are on your best behavior

 

Even kitty beds can accommodate big dogs (but not at the same time it accommodates the kitty)

 

Practicing my therapy dog skills by helping Eugene survive the scary thunderstorm

 

Storms are NOT scary but the basement stairs ARE scary!

 

Doggy selfie (all 6 of us)

Until next time!
Hugs and kisses!

Love,
Chance

Author: goldtrap

I have recently become the owner of a tripaw. While running as a stray Chance suffered injuries resulting in losing a back leg and also a toe on his front leg. Through everything Chance has remained a happy go lucky dog who will be trained to become a therapy dog.

6 thoughts on “Lessons”

  1. Now I get it! There is more than one Golden! I was thinking that dog is missing a leg and then now he’s not. Oh, the leg is tucked under. Hmmm, not sure of the rear legs. The coat seems to have changed. And finally, a photo of your pack. All lovely. I’m sure they keep you busy but then you have the cats helping out.
    Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

    1. Kerren and Mona-Thanks for reading my blog! I live with 4 fur friends: 2 shitzus named Eugene and Lucy and two cats named Lilly and Bodie. The other two goldens are and my grandparents’ house (they are involved in rescue) but I go there once a week or so for “doggy daycare” while my parents are at work. I am missing a back leg and a toe on my front paw and I am the darkest of the goldens when we are all together.

  2. I never took the CGC but my friends Kitty and Toughie did. They did 9 weeks of class and the 10th week was the test. Just see it as a pre-test. If you pass, great but don’t stress. Yes, it is a lot to learn but think of all the kids you’ll be able to help once you pass!

    Toe amputations are hard, even if you have all 4 feet. Humans have extra toes but we don’t. Are you doing physical therapy to keep your core in shape? A strong core really helps.

    1. Thanks for commenting on my post! I am not really stressing about the test…I enjoy going to class and will probably continue to take classes for a while just for the experience. I go to physical therapy once a week. I do about 20-30 minutes on an underwater treadmill and then exercises throughout the day while I am at therapy. Once the weather gets warmer I will start swimming and I can’t wait!

  3. Manni and I loved your story Chance!! Such an uplifting tale for once!! It made me smile, and that is worth millions!! I’m sure you will pass that test the first time and make your humans proud! It’s great they took you in and it’s fantastic that your community is making such an effort. After so much suffering, Chance, you deserve what you got: a fantastic new life! Can’t wait to read more!!
    Love,
    Tina and Manni

    1. Hi Tina and Manni! Thanks so much for reading my story. My humans are so proud of me and they are amazed at the outpouring of support. I am a pretty lucky guy so I am really soaking up all the attention and hope I can continue to make others smile as well 🙂

      Love,
      Chance

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