When I was two years old, I was attacked by a Dalmatian.
My mother tells the story as us walking through the neighborhood, like always, saying hello to the neighbors, and greeting the dogs and children as they came along. The neighbor with the Dalmatians always let us say hi, and we never had an issue with said dogs. For some reason, on this day, the brown spotted Dali nipped me through the lip,
either because I got too close, or he felt uncomfortable about our greeting...but the next week was the same routine, and my comfortably with dogs didn't change. I still waved hello and goodbye, but I never forgot, after that, to ask permission to pet a dog.
I am an extreme dog person. To the point where getting bit does not change my views. After many volunteer gigs at shelters, dog sitting, visiting friends and families', and having my own, I know that deep down to the core, dogs want to please you, and any subsequent acts of violence are a communication style that you need to help them adjust to life without. I am the person that stays over at a friend's house, and takes their German Short Hair for a run at 6:45 in the morning. I am the annoying person in a group of friends that stops and asks for permission to pet your dogs. I am the person that will work from my bed all day just to snuggle with a pup.
I grew up with Beagles, which most people know as an obnoxious breed. However, I stand behind them as some of the most intelligent, athletic, and loyal animals I have ever come across. They have been a family breed for us in at least three generations; where their love has contributed greatly to my need to be around animals at all times, however challenging they may have been.
My aunts on each side of the family have stories of my obsession with dogs, ranging everywhere from tying myself on rollerblades to a young, Standard American Terrier, rolling through town at age seven, to hanging out in the kennel of my older cousin's very aggressive wolf/shepherd mix, because I thought he needed some love.
Currently, I am not in a position where I feel comfortable enough having my own dog, which is why I want to help others take care of theirs. I work from home, so the opportunity to take care of an animal while I do that is ideal. I don't have a roommate, or any other pets at the moment, so this is really a great time for me to start introducing regular animal clients to my home.
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