Judy Council
Sarasota, Florida
I was born in Newark, Ohio and lived there for thirteen years. Always a dog lover, I was training "Rin Tin Tin tricks" to every neighbor's dog.
We moved to Clearwater, Florida when I was a teenager. Because fleas were abundant, my parents would not let me have a dog. Each birthday, Christmas, etc., I would beg for a real dog but would receive a ceramic one! I had an extensive collection.
Three days after graduating from the University of Florida, I purchased my first purebred dog, a German shepherd. Soon my childhood dog training passion blossomed and my shepherd had her C.D. and C.D.X.. I was now teaching public school during the day and training other peoples dogs as my hobby.
When I moved to Sarasota and married Clyde (also a teacher) he wanted to change from a Brownie instamatic to a $500 Nikon camera. He told me I could have any dog I wanted if he could have that expensive camera.
I bought my first Borzoi!! I showed in obedience, conformation, and produced a few litters. I added a few Whippets to our happy show family. After fifteen years, illness forced me to give up my wonderful Borzoi.
My friends Renee and Steve Orr provided me with my first Chinese Crested. Sol-orr's Ten-A-C Walker's first litter produced AKC's first Chinese Crested litter to produce four Champions. Thus Unicorn Chinese Cresteds was begun. I have been fortunate to continue the success with quality in the litters and champions in the show ring.
After eight years teaching in the public school system, my dog training hobby became so busy that I quit teaching and began my own dog training business, "School for Dogs".
My husband recently retired from his teaching career, and has opened his own photography studio.
My advice to a friend with two small cresteds:
I am glad to hear your thoughts and that you asked for mine.
I THINK IT IS CRAZY TO GET RID OF YOUR DOGS. What ever is bothering you, is not really your dogs. I figure you were having a mid life crises. You don't ever seem happy with things the way they are.
Your last house was beautiful and worked out well for you, but as soon as you completed it, you were ready to move on. You seem to want stress or constant change in your life. I am just the opposite. I am busy, but do not want stressful things. buying-selling houses, buying-selling cars, changing jobs. You are always in constant unrest. Your DOGS have been the only stable thing in your life and here you are wanting to disrupt their life. They are happy. Of course they like you home, but that is not realistic. Most people work and their dogs stay home alone. At least they have each other. It does not matter if you work 5 or 7 days a week. They are perfectly fine as house dogs.
Some of the people you contacted asked me why you were selling your dogs. I said I thought you were having a mid life crises and making a big mistake that you would regret. I originally asked you what was wrong with them and your said they were on the porch barking and making the neighbors mad. I answered then keep them in the house when you are not home. You said I don't want to, they are used to being outside when they want; (that showed me you were not wanting to solve the problem). I said then de-bark them so you can leave them loose. You said I don't want to do that; (again it showed you really did not want to solve the problem, as you know all mine are debarked and you see that they are happy).
Then you said you have fallen over the wire room dividers 3 times. At your age and agility, that sounds like a medical or alcohol problem. So last night I gave you a way to stop that from happening by using scat mats. So you can see why I do not think the dogs are really the problem, but that what ever your problem is, you are trying to get rid of all demands on you.
When you do get rid of them, No body will need you. You think you will be free, but instead you will be lonely, because your kids are independent, they don't need you unless they want something. I THINK you need your dogs MUCH more than you think. Isn't is nice to have SOMEONE that cares that you come home, cares that you get up. Isn't is nice to have someone that is happy to see you every day. Isn't it nice to have someone that shows they love you no matter what mood you are in???????
Think about it before you may be making a huge mistake you will regret. Your dogs will adjust to a new home and learn to love someone else. But you will come home to a cold, lonely, clean, boring house. YOU will be your own source of entertainment day after day.
Thank you for asking my opinion. I wanted to say this to you long ago, but felt I was butting in unless asked.
Your Friend,
Judy
Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a
grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They
must think we're the greatest hunters on Earth!
Anne Tyler