The Project Dog: Mars’ Story
Mars has taught me more than I can describe. He taught me patience. He taught me that even if things are scary we can work through them. He showed me trauma doesn't define who we are. Mostly, he shows me unconditional love, every single day.
The Project Dog: Sophia’s Story
While Sophia was reactive from the get go, at about 5 or 6 months old, her reactivity in a class setting was one of her biggest struggles. She had trouble being in a building with other dogs even if she couldn't see them. There was a point in time where her barking and screaming was so over the top that we would have to wait our turn for scent class outside in the parking lot.
The Project Dog: Elway’s Story
Elway came into my life in the Fall of 2020. A pandemic dog of sorts. 2020 was full of loss. My sweet Percy died in April, my grand dog Cannoli died in August, and my wonderful Daisy Mae was very old and died in November, just two months after Elway joined us. I never want to be without a dog! They're lights in my life and the heartbeats at my feet.
The Project Dog: Chief’s Story
Neither Brett nor I had ever owned a reactive dog prior to Chief. We definitely made some mistakes in the beginning but all our hard work has paid off.
The Project Dog: Milo’s Story
Milo was brought up from Georgia by Buddy’s Second Chance in August on 2018, when he was estimated to be 1.5-2 years old. I officially adopted Milo on 1/1/2019, after 140 days of being his foster mom.
The Project Dog: Julie’s Story
We rescued Julie when she was only 8 weeks old. She was labeled as a labrador/golden retriever mix. I was really looking for another agility dog. Easy to please, good drive, and social. We first noticed reactivity before she was even 16 weeks old.
The Project Dog
Project dogs may challenge us, frustrate us, and at times, make us feel like giving up. But they will also teach us more about dogs, ourselves and what it means to love, flaws and all, than we could have ever imagined. The Project Dog blog series aims to highlight the journeys of some amazing dogs and their humans.
I have been the guardian to a reactive dog (people and dogs) for the last 11 years and she has changed my life in some incredible ways, but being her person felt impossible at times. Those early years presented me with challenges that I was not prepared or equipped for. It was isolating and frustrating and I often felt judged and criticized. While time and experience has shifted my perspective a lot since then, those old feelings are still there as a memory.
Reading these stories from the guardians of Project Dogs may be healing some of those old feelings that I had buried. Their struggles, their frustrations, the love they have for their dogs, the changes they have made to better their dog's lives, the lessons they have learned along they way - they are just like mine.
These stories make me feel seen and heard through the words of other people who are sharing in these same experiences. You don't have to feel isolated or judged. There are people out there who understand you, people who understand your dog, people who understand your journey. I hope you can find some of your own comfort and support in these stories, just like I have.
And if you feel ready to share your dog's story. I would love to read it!
-Noelle, Series Editor