Bodie.

You all have seen my guy about a zillion + times, so you very much know who he is and that he is my rock, my support, and my world. However, there’s more to his story and mine that I have only touched on a few times. So, let me give you a little insight into our story and how we have gotten here.

Bodie is a (almost!) three year old, Blue Merle Mini Australian Shepherd. He is everything that an Australian Shepherd is known for, he is neurotic, OCD, extremely stubborn, but THE smartest dog I’ve ever known. I took him as my own about a year after I moved out because it was proving that both boys together was a lot of work and they fed off each others energy, each having their own anxieties and issues to overcome, they actually did better apart (but they saw each other every day still!). I got him into training shortly after he became mine full time, with SoCalK9 (linked her contact info because Megan is my saving grace, the holy grail, and our forever confidant). Little man is extremely protective, he only lets a small amount of people into his pack, he is the true meaning of a herder and doesn’t trust anyone he doesn’t know. He also doesn’t approve of any dog out there besides his brother, Sully. It came to a point where he barked and freaked out at everyone we walked by, who looked at me, or tried to come into our life. So, intro Megan. She came and met him and instantly built a plan out for his anxieties and we did basic 101 training with him and then he got into “working” which I will get into. Bodie, being the best thing that I’ve ever had became the most overwhelming thing in the world and I would cry every time we would go on a walk because it was just so much to handle. I didn’t know how to handle his anxieties or his need to protect me against the world until I met Megan. Now I know every little tick that he has, what will upset him, what his different barks mean, his body language and what each little mouth movement means. I know this dog better than I know anything else. I dove into his world and became an expert on Bodie, because it was the only way I could understand him and help him overcome it all.

I have had the most judgmental looks and nasty comments made about how bad of an owner I am, how awful my dog is, how he should get some serious help, etc. You think it, it’s probably been said. I have talked to many people about this and have cried with a few because they are going through it too and are so happy to know they weren’t doing it alone. Once I found our trainer and started the solo sessions I felt better. The group classes we’ve attended is where I found my community. People that understand what it’s like and who don’t judge, they want to help and are the most encouraging people when I have cried and almost given up. At the end of the day, he is the most rewarding thing out there and I want to encourage you, to not give up and know that you will get through it and you will have the biggest bond in the world with your pup.

We started “working” Bodie, which for a Shepherd it’s one of the things they say they need because they get bored and need to use their brain throughout the day. Sit, stay, come, heel, down, place, etc. he can learn a command in about 15 minutes so this is where he excels in class. Working is a way to get them utilizing their skills that they have and making him do tasks to tire his little brain and calm his anxiety. We also attend a group class where we are “working” the whole time and are put in situations where he might not like it but he has to really work hard and use his brain the entire time. Throughout the course of a year I have bawled my eyes out, just held him, and jumped in the air because of a small win. Let me tell you, the BIGGEST rewards come from the smallest wins when you have a guy like him. I never gave up. I never will. We have been through it all together and we have the upmost love and respect for each other that I will never doubt him and his capability again. He trusts me to put him through tough positions and I trust him enough to get through those situations. I am the proudest mom in the world with him and I will never take a small win for granted ever again. I couldn’t have done any of this without Megan and her belief in him and her belief in me. So, if you have a dog that is tough and protective and you can’t do most normal things that you’d want to do like to do, like go to a coffee shop and sit outside or walk a farmers market, just know we are a small community behind you and there are people out there who can help, people to talk to, just don’t let yourself give up on them because they will never give up on you.

Throughout our first three months of it, our next six months, and the last year I have seen him excel more than I ever thought possible. If I move or say a word he is listening so intently to get ready for his next command. Yes, we have bad days still, just like a human he has days where he’s on or he’s super off. I have learned that like me we can’t ever expect him to be a certain way that day and he needs patience and understanding just like we do. I have learned more patience and understanding with him than I ever have in my life. He pushes me to my end but he loves me with all of his being and that never fails. So, I will never fail him.

This has given me the confidence and the strength to bring another pup into my life, who has had a very hard life. She was abused in her past, is terrified of most things, and is going to take a lot of patience and understanding. Bodie and I know what that is like and are going to teach her that just like people there will be good and bad days and there will days where we fall flat and days where we overcome it all. We will teach her that it’s okay to not be on all the time and at the end of the day, we have her back and will love her.

Bodie has taught me love has no boundaries and we will get through everything together. Through training with Megan and our friends at group class we can overcome our bad days and we all cheer for him on his good days. He is a different type of pup and for that I am so extremely thankful.

Here’s to every dog momma or dad out there who struggle with this, who have dealt with this, and who get up each morning and try harder for them than they did the day before. We got this. They got this. You are one of the few strong enough to do it and brave enough to try.

Hold your pups close, spoil them, love them, and never give up on them or yourself.

Xx, HMadz