Yep, you read the previous post right.  I am going to be a dog trainer, an animal behaviorist, a service-dog person and hopefully in the end, build a small business.  Where did this come from, you ask?  The same question I answered earlier in my screening process, along with many others.  I grew up with cats, specifically Siamese cats.  My father stated that cats were for poets and dogs were for soldiers.  I suppose he confused his kids with dogs and his job for battle.

I have been supremely blessed with knowing my best friend Cricket.  Along with her friendship came her dogs.  Her last, Nimrod, was insanely devoted to her.  I came as an extra, something to be tolerated.  He was a naughty young dog, found roaming at large, and came into his own at about seven years old.

Cricket's new dog Griffin, jumped up from his pen like Zebedee of The Magic Roundabout.  As if on a spring, this black Lab/Pitt mix bounced higher and higher each time Cricket visited.  Smart owner that she is, she knew to not take the first cute dog.  (That's how I ended up with a pride of stray cats).  Later, she was astounded that she waited so long for Griffin.  Also, the K-9 guy running the first behavior class she went to was miffed.  He'd asked the shelter to keep an eye out for him for dogs like Griffin.   Perhaps they thought he'd be better with some one like Cricket.

Mostly Black Lab with a dash of Pitt, we call him a Pittadore when he's good and a Plab when he's bad.  Cricket didn't like the K-9 guy's approach and went to a second class.  When she tore her ACL last year, I had to walk Griff, a half hour in the morning, an hour or so at five-ish and a last walk, whenever.  I quickly used the few tools I had.

I channeled Ceasar Milan, the fierce Barbara Woodhouse, my mother and Temple Grandin.  I was no longer pulled, he sat before I released for crossing, stopped reacting to skateboards, bikes,  motor-bikes and other dogs on leashes.  He was far from perfect, but he wasn't dragging me where he wanted to go.

This is a tough time now.  He is going to be the dog that I train for my school, yet he is the loony, happy, silly dog that Cricket and I love.  It's a tough line to walk and one that I hope helps us all.  But I can always call the school back.  I have many neighbours with crazy dogs.

Cricket is the most amazing person in my life.  Without her, I'd be lost, homeless, in jail, in State Hospital.  With her I am.  How could you ever repay this?  My best friend of more than twenty years, so close that people assume we are sisters, lovers.  My god, what have I done to deserve her?

Due to her, I start this school.  Due to her I may use Griffin as a "project".  Due to her I will give animals new beginnings after being kicked out.  Due to Cricket I will rehab sick animals so that they will find loving homes.  Due to Cricket I have learned many things.  But I doubt my size ten shoes will fit her size seven feet.  Small as she is, she will always be a large in my mind and heart, a woman allergic to cats, who has loved and embraced mine.  A woman who has taught me, in so many ways.