This blog told me to make an introduction post so that’s what this is…
If you’re here and reading this, you already know me.
I’m the dog person with about a million dog-related careers.
But a lot of people don’t know about how I got started in the dog world, so I’ll start there.
My first sport dog was named Barnabas. He was a border collie x aussie mix and about as cute as they come.
I mean seriously.
When I got him, I had some big goals. He was part border collie so that must mean he was made for agility. Him and I were going to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge and competing in agility and disc competitions. There was no question in my mind that we would be there.
I got a backyard agility kit. I visited and volunteered at the local agility trials. I talked to club members. I signed up for a class. I read literally every dog book from our library system.
We were going to compete and we were going to be unstoppable.
Until… He had other plans.
He was not from a reputable source. He was an impulsive purchase from a sneaky backyard breeder. We met him once, handed over a cheap purchase price, and went home.
His mind wasn’t built right…
And it happened almost overnight.
One by one, he attacked every member of the family. I was the last one for him to go after and I nearly lost a finger.
He was ten months old when we said goodbye. A whole life of possibility. A whole resume of tricks I had taught him. A relationship as close as I’ve ever had with any of my other dogs…
It was a decision that was never and could never be easy. Or right. I don’t believe we had a correct or incorrect decision. It was what it was and so I had to move on.
So that was my first sport dog.
He taught me everything.
He taught me how to train a dog. He was smart and made my job easy when it came to trick, agility, and disc training.
He taught me that a reputable, careful, thoughtful breeder is perhaps the most important ingredient in this recipe called dog sports.
He taught me determination. I’m still here in the dog world.
He taught me what heartache really feels like. He would have turned 10 years old last week… He should still be here.
But I think more than any of that, he showed me that the best growth happens after you’ve been broken. Without him, I wouldn’t have realized my love of studying dog behavior or my love of purebred and purpose bred dogs. Without him, I wouldn’t have Lucy who showed me my career as a groomer.
Without him, I wouldn’t have Koda. My literal world and heart and soul in a dog.
I wouldn’t be the trainer/groomer/artist/dog snob I am today without the experience Barnabas gave me.
Love ya, buddy…
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