[Mackenzie’s Admin]

My continuing work with Ava is a thing that I look forward to everyday, even if some days are rougher than others.

Cesar Milan always says that "God sends you the dog that you need, not necessarily the dog that you want." I think this is certainly the reason why Ava is my priority dog at MAS. Saturday was a great day during our behavior mod session, up until the last two minutes when, after playing some fetch in the laundry room, Ava turned her wild playful self on me, and play bit me hard enough to break skin and leave some pretty nice sized bruises.

I don’t know if some people would look at this experience and decide enough is enough and decide to quit. But, in spite of my little battle scar, I realized that Ava provides me with the opportunity to learn how to be more assertive–something I always wish I was and has never some easily for me. When a headstrong black lab puppy decides that it is going to challenge your position as a pack leader, it forces you to step up,dig deep, and find out where your rock steady calmness is. After Saturday’s episode, I left more determined than ever to learn from this incident and move on. Tomorrow is a new day, and a fresh start to learn how to work with the most challenging dog I have ever met.

So, as I left for home that evening after my work day, I stopped into Ava’s run to say good bye for the night, and I caught a little glimpse of why I love her so much. She nuzzled her head into my stomach, licked my hand, and then laid down on the floor, belly up, and let me scratch her belly for a few minutes while continuing to lick my hand.

Maybe, as my husband says, I have a special love for the hard cases in life–when I was teaching, I always found myself working so hard to help the kids that no one else cared about. Sometimes I succeeded, sometimes I didn’t, but for some reason, those were always the kids that I seemed to attract, and occaisionally tear my hair out over. And maybe that is why I love Ava so much. There is a very special, intelligent, and sweet dog behind the doggie temper tantrums and the occaisional piranah mouth. It just requires the patience and willingness to find it.

[Mackenzie’s Admin]

Well it definitely sounds like you and Ava have crossed paths for a reason. It’s so neat to recognize all the blessings you are both gaining through this relationship. Ava is so lucky to have friends like you that are committed to not giving up on her, even when things get tough and bumpy along the way. She’s such a happy-go-lucky energetic Puppy but she doesn’t know her own strength, or how to expel all her energy & excitement in a well-mannered way. Ava is exceptionally smart and has SO much potential, she is a GREAT girl and will continue to develop into the best behaved companion that she truly does desire to be (that’s all she wants to is to please us!). Keep up the great work and dedication Nicole. The rewards from your hard work are making a life-changing impact in Ava’s life!

[Mackenzie’s Admin]

Dig deep, real deep and stay level headed even in the face of frustration. Eventually one will win and the sake of both of you, I hope its you.

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