Puppy Training and The Things We do for LOVE!

Puppy Training and The Things We do for LOVE! Scooter is my pound puppy buddy, he keeps me active an makes me smile for his love everyday and it all started with puppy training. Scooter was a pound puppy, he was seriously abused as a puppy and eventually ended up at the pound. My husband and I were looking for a new pet. After a year of searching for our beloved cat Annabelle, who was rescued after Katrina and sent to a foster home, we realized she was not going to be found, Many of the pets rescued after Katrina especially the elderly were sent to private homes. Rescuers were sent in to find pets, but due to the devastation in our area, it was difficult for them to know where they were when they found animals.

Scooter's Story

One day in November we discovered Scooter, he was on death row, one hour from euthanasia. We were told that we probably didn't want him, he was what they called "unadoptable". We were looking for a Schnauzer and Scooter was a Schnauzer mix according to his records. We were allowed to take him outside to get to know him. He was timid and frightened and flinched every time we moved. He appeared to be friendly, but, at 6 months old he had never been groomed and was severely infested with fleas. When you looked at his face you could see a caravan of flea moving across his entire face.

The worker from the shelter told us we could take him home on a weekend trial. She said he could be rescheduled for killed on Monday when we decided not to keep him. So, we took him home and played with him all weekend. He was very under weight and had very little stamina. It was November and since Katrina we were staying in Washington State near out eldest daughter, we had no where else to go.

Monday arrived, we knew when we first met him he was a keeper. So this is where our life together begins its journey.

This is a photo of Scooter on that Monday after his first professional grooming and Frontlne Plus treatment, he has that frightened look on his face.

In this photo Scooter is looking out the window waiting for his cousin Ringo to arrive for a day of FUN!

Scooter's many travels take him to our family camp in northern Ontario for a summer of fun with his cousin Ringo. The two of them prance and play all day long. The camp is on a Island so they are allowed to freely visit with each of our family members at their camps. They never venture too far.

On any given day you can see Scooter and Ringo together searching for chipmunks or other critters to chase and bark at together. They are often seen on one of the docks walking side by side, chatting as the work their way to the end. Both dogs like to chase balls into the water and play fetch. On hot days you will find them together laying in the cool clean St. Mary's river cooling off up to their necks taking a drink without having to bend their head. They are a pair, Ringo who is older than Scooter spent many summers training him to enjoy nature.

Scooter loves to travel in the car or on a plane. He always seem to be surprised when we arrive at our destination. Here is a photo of the two of us at a rest area in New Mexico on a trip from Mississippi to Washington State in 2007. When we arrived at this rest area Scooter was more than happy to share a snack and visit with other traveling pets we met.

We keep a soft squeaky ball in the car at all time, just in case we need to stop and play. We find a nice grassy area and he and I play ball. He is a well-behaved pet and follows both verbal commands and gestures. We worked with him from the time he became a member of our family so he would listen and follow instruction. He knows to stay and will not move until instructed to go. He understands what you tell him and rarely has impulsive behavior. For example, he loves cats, if he sees one he want to sniff it and play. However, if he is told to stay he follows the command until he is told OK.

Most of the command he knows are for his safety and the safety of others. He is a very energetic little dog, as is typical of the Schnauzer breed. He has a strict schedule he insists that we follow. He likes to play ball at least 4 times a day, go for a bike ride, a 1 1/2 mile walk through our neighborhood. If he can he likes to go for car rides.

Here we are again, just as the day begin. Scooter loves blankets, he will carefully stomp, and fluff blanket to the perfect nesting position. He snuggles up close at night and makes us feel like we are one of this pack. As he has gotten older he has developed what I call a teenage attitude. If he is asked to move over or do something that is not in his plans, he sighs deeply to let us know he is put out and does what he is told.

Scooter recommends Perfect Coat Natural Oatmeal Shampoo. It keeps his coat looking shiny and clean, with a light manly fragrance. Rinses out easily with warm water.

Ahh! A nice cool drink from the river.

"I'm just touching those frog, they're doing the hopping!"

Just waiting with Ruthie at the airport, I'm bringing her back to camp with me. This is my 32nd plane ride.