Halia and Ginger

Halia  writes: 

I have a story about our Ginger who will be 10 years old this month.  She is very much my fur child as when she came into our lives as a puppy we found out we wouldn't have children so I carried her and sang to her like she was our only child.

For some reason Ginger was anxious around other dogs and we went through a few obedience classes before we found an instructor that really understood her.  I looked like the 'bad mommy' since she would not respond to me in class although she would comply at home.  At home she would even repeat the commands over and over again which is not a particularly Airedalean way of doing things.  The benefit of so much training is that she now sits very prettily when she wants something.

The first class we went to were the 'stubble jumpers' group who also had other events that we would never be invited to.  I was new to the prairies and having a dog again and needed some guidance.  Ginger wasn't listening as long as there were other dogs in the room and she wouldn't look at me.

At one point we were heading out the door and puppy Ginger all of a sudden slowed down for me  so I could remove a hunk of eye gunk from the corner of her eye.  I know it may sound trivial but the looks on the onlookers faces said it all.  She was my 'grrl' and we had a very close relationship.  They knew it was unusual for a puppy to allow me to invade her space so easily.

After another 'failed' class, the last class we found had a wonderful instructor that did things like wrap Ginger up like a Christmas present to help reduce her anxiety.  We were directed to attend agility instead of obedience and to my delight after not participating very much Ginger did the whole course twice (except the large climbing up and down part) to a standing ovation.  It was our last class as we were moving.

People have issues as dogs do and it takes some patience and understanding to help both.  Ginger and I do everything we can together including exploring the many food types that she got used to as a puppy on the raw food diet.  She's very vocal and now as a senior has developed an ear shattering bark to let me know her needs and wants.  

We wouldn't have it any other way.  She has taught me so much and is a wonderful substitute child albeit very furry.