Day 26: Pass it Along · The Magic in Dogs

Day 26: Pass it Along

When prompted in the Day 26 notes to think of something my dog has given me that I can pass on to others I immediately thought of what the dogs, collectively, in my life have given me.

For many years I had four dogs of my own with client dogs and foster dogs (and kittens) also coming and going in my household (my clan also included two horses, three sheep, two cats, and a couple of busted-wing galahs who could no longer live a free, wild life). There is such a wealth of learning to be had when managing a multi-dog (and multi-species) home; knowledge and skills that can't be gleaned from 'book learning' (which I also love and which informs and educates the lived experience learnings).

The array of personalities interacting with other personalities gave me opportunities to observe, understand and influence behaviour in ways that I am so deeply grateful for, and what I've learned through living with so many dogs and other animals is what has enabled me to offer my 'Foundations for Foster Care' workshops (one for dogs in general and one specifically targeted for those fostering off-the-track greyhounds).

Through my involvement with rescue organisations I'd seen how many foster carers enter the experience of fostering with good intentions but often with insufficient knowledge or skill to make the experience go smoothly. Lots of foster carers only do it once because they feel overwhelmed by the experience and don't come back for more. I wanted to do something practical to help and so I developed my one day workshop, which I LOVE teaching. My own crew of dogs - my Fantastic Four - and all the other dogs whom we lived with gave me So Much, and I am eternally grateful for their presence in my life, and so pleased that together we have been able to Pass It On.

Pics of The Four and some of the various sojourners we had over the years.

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Day 26: Pass it Along