Meet my pack; my best friends
My parents are not dog people. Quite why I grew up with such a love for dogs was a mystery to my folks. I hankered after a dog of my own throughout my childhood. I played at being a dog, I had loads of toy dogs, I read dog books, watched dog films & programmes and spent hours with my imaginary (dog) friend by the name of ‘Stretsy’. At the age of 15, my parents relented that I was finally old enough to take care of a dog and we went to the local police pound. That’s where I found Megan.
Megan: angel dog
Megan was my 15th birthday gift. We picked up a half-starved, frightened dog one week after she’d been found as a stray, at about one year old. I picked her because she had ‘smiled’ at me when I went to her. I knew right away it was a smile but other people took more convincing because it looked like a snarl! I later learned it was an appeasing grin; one dogs use when feeling anxious or threatened.
Megan appeared to be perfect. To our untrained eyes, apart from being a bit nervous, she seemed very well behaved and easy to look after. The cracks did show though and over the years we became aware of things about her behaviour. There were occasional fights with other dogs, taking a long time to return on walks, chewing our property and stealing food, obsessive licking of everything and, most significantly, a fear of any noises like thunder, fireworks or guns.
I once stood on a stick. It snapped and Megan set off for the car! I never knew what to do so I put up with it. I didn’t know at the time that these things could be cured; and very simply! It was only after I got my second dog, Leon (see below), with whom I did Amichien Bonding that I then also changed my behaviour towards Megan. She was 10 at the time I changed my approach and all those idiosyncrasies just stopped, one after the other. After a few years I even got pictures of Megan lying by my open fire on bonfire night; with the bangs outside and the logs crackling and spitting. I had relieved Megan of her anxieties; through Amichien Bonding.
I lost Megan when she was aged 17, due to joint problems, but I firmly believe she was thankful for the retirement from leadership I was able to give her in her last 7 years.
I know I will always have dogs in my life. They have so much to teach us and I feel I am a better person for spending time with them. They show such patience and forgiveness, love, loyalty and have so many wonderful attributes. I don’t just adore them, I really admire them as individuals and as a species; I revere the canine.
The late, great Leon
I got Leon as a ten-week old pup from a local pound. His mother had been a stray and delivered her pups in the pound. Leon was the runt of the litter but I fell instantly in love with him because he was clambering over all the others while they slept.
He very soon developed separation anxiety and we couldn’t leave him at home at all. We had to get someone in to dogsit every time I needed to go out for anything; it was awful! His symptoms were extreme: screaming and barking, chewing and urinating and defecating in the house. I tried to contain him in a crate but he simply busted his teeth to get out. I was at my wits end about how to help my little puppy cope with being left alone.
That was when I saw Jan Fennell's book advertised in a local paper. I bought it the next day. I read it in 24 hours and set about the very next day putting it all into action. Leon never had separation anxiety issues again. Well no, that’s not quite true. There was one occasion but, on reflection, I realised that I had deviated from the advice. I never deviated again and Leon became my close companion and dear friend for the next 14 years. He was as near to perfect as I can imagine a dog ever becoming. I owe everything to Leon. Without him I would not have found Jan Fennell and Amichien Bonding and would not have been able to help all those people who were tearing their hair out like me! Forever in your debt Leon, rest in peace.
When I discovered the work of Jan Fennell, I realised I am not alone in my love for these wonderful animals. That has made me feel more comfortable about my unbridled affection for these creatures. To me, they are not pets to be kept for my benefit; they are amazing sentient beings worthy of my friendship, respect and best endeavours.
I look at my life with dogs now and think not what the dog is doing for me but what I can do for my dogs; and for dogs in general. Trying to understand them better and make their lives as good as they can be is a passion of mine. I am not trying to make them human but respect and nurture their canine nature. I believe that by truly trying to understand the canine, we are better equipped to create happier, more peaceful and contented lives for them and thereby, for us.
Meet Gus
I took on Gus in 2006 when he was about one-and-a-half years old and due to be euthanised. Although he was in a “no kill” dog refuge, he was deemed too dangerous and had bitten all bar two of the staff. He had also been sent back from six attempts at re-homing: for biting. After much negotiation I was allowed to take him for one last chance. Needless to say he never went back and has been with me ever since. Gus has a home in my heart and my house for the rest of his life.
It took about three months of continual and relentless Amichien method to get Gus ready to go outside and a further year before I considered him to be dependable. People I meet now no longer believe his story because he is such a friendly chap and highly popular with everyone in my local pub where he just loves to play. Gus shows what a secure home with good leadership can achieve. Gus has no stress in his life now, I carefully ensure that. And, with nothing to worry about, his biting tendencies, I am pleased to say, no longer surface.
I like my dogs to have as much freedom as they can safely have and I create an environment for them to live as naturally as they wish. What I add to that is the comfort and security of a warm home and a good natural diet. All I ask of them is to stay with me; not because I want them to but because they choose to by free will. I try to be the leader they expect me to be, one they trust and believe in. I try to be the leader they would choose. In exchange I get contented, easygoing, quiet and friendly canine companions who are always happy to do as I ask. Ours is a home of respect all round and deeply trusting friendships of equality.
Introducing Elsa
Elsa joined the family in October 2013. She is a trailhound rescued from a life of racing. She was petrified of almost everything but most especially of people; and quite specifically, people behind her. She came to her new life covered in scars, some of which are obviously from snares and barbed wire. At first she was afraid of me and it took days for her to come to me without cowering or running away. I have introduced her to select people in the house but Elsa has little or no experience of the world and its people.
I didn’t take her out of the house for over two weeks. Even being in my house was a bit much for her to start with as I think she had only ever lived in a kennel before. Slowly, after much work in the house and garden we started to explore outside. Each day, we go into town when it is at its quietest and we also go for recall training (long line walks) in the local fields. She is improving every day and is now learning to go into shops, pubs and busier areas. You can see Elsa in some of the video clips I have taken; to demonstrate various methods I am using to help her to understand that I am her protector and she is safe with me.