It wasn't really a pitbull.

I am late blogging about this, but remember the story that hit the news about the pitbull who was shot by police just outside of halifax at the beginning of May?

Pit bull killed after trapping man, son in car



Silly Media, Silly Hype. It wasn't a "pitbull" at all.

It was a Mastiff/Boxer mix.

Check it out for yourself. :)


Me and my dogs in Halifax, Nova Scotia: A leashless reactive dog paid the ultimate price yesterday

Regardless, its very unfortunate that this happened. That any dog would put anyone in this situation. But, we will never know what exactly happened or if the situation could have been controlled rather then the dog being shot. Animal control are not even properly educated on how to handle a dog like this, why would the police be?

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last - that the media doesn't investigate enough to find out the breed of dog in dog attack incidents.

Speaking of crazy pitbulls on the loose, Miss Soleil was being doggysat by family, she got out. She did some barking, and even a little chasing, but everyone is okay. :) Apparently the lady walking the weinner dog was cool as a cucumber. She meant no harm. I really wish I could have seen this happen. To observe Soleil to see what really went on. Her body language and posture. I am sooo curious.

At The End Of My Leash's Brad Pattison- Coming to Halifax

The past few years I have been trying to decide what to do with my life. How I wanted to make a living. I know I need to do something that makes me happy. Something I am passionate about. I am happiest when helping others and making a difference. My options range from social work to dog training/behaviourist.

Becoming a dog trainer seems easy in some aspects, and difficult in others. There are so many different types of trainers, so many different beliefs, and so many different methods. No wonder dogs are so screwed up. Us humans don't know what to believe ourselves.

So far I've looked into a few options of training. Apprenticing with a local dog trainer seems to be the way to go. I tried it. It didn't work. Wasn't well organized, and I didn't agree totally with her methods. I will also admit I didn’t stay around long.

I've looked into schooling with Ben Kerson in B.C www.wonderdogs.bc.ca/dog-training-program.html.

I have talked to local trainers about how to get into it as well.

In October Brad Pattison, author, dog trainer, human life coach, and star of " At The End Of My Leash" will be coming to Halifax to put on a 6 week "become a dog trainer" program. In reality, its an 18 day course and you will become a Brad Pattison certified dog trainer.

I have watched his show. I have done some research. I have read his opinions. Some techniques I watch make total sense, others just baffle my mind.

I am however, very curious about this course. Its around $6000. I am sure I would learn some and take the knowledge with me forever, but for the rest I know I would let it go in one ear and out the other. The course is just convenient. I could work my regular job during the week and do the course on the weekend. It would just give me something to start with. Some basic experience on both the good side and the bad side how a good dog trainer works.

Its a great debate as to what others think of him. My opinion isn't very high, so it is incredibly unlikely I would pursue this.

Here I are..

I know I havent blogged in awhile. When I first started this blog I wanted to keep ontop of it. I also like to feel good about what I post. I haven't felt confident in anything I wrote lately, so its been deleted. I also have to be very particular about what I can post lately, as whats on my mind isnt for me to show the public.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me wondering about the blog. I will return shortly.xx

Suicide

Suicide.

Yes, the forbidden topic.

No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to admit that they get suicidal thoughts or secret plans of how they would go through with it.

Yet, when people get brave enough to talk about it, they are usually ignored or dealt with in an inappropriate fashion that doesn’t seem to help.

Everyone is unique and their mental stability varies , as does our thought process. There are also numerous reasons some people resort to thinking about, attempting and committing suicide.

Let me be very honest. When my ocd and depression got so bad as a kid, I wanted nothing more then to be dead. Especially when my ocd focused on me being a terrible person. I was convinced that I was evil and should not exist. I felt I was a danger to society. My ocd convinced me of such. Still to this day, when my head starts racing with terrible ocd thoughts, and I’m so depressed I can’t think straight, suicidal thoughts surface. Obliviously, I have never attempted or committed suicide. Thankfully I’m still here. Fortunately, When I do have my breakdowns, I never loose my whole grasp on reality. I know deep down that suicide will not solve anything. I have to much to loose, to many people who love me, and that there is always some shrink out there that can fix me. (Even if in the moment, I feel like I have nothing, like everyone hates me, and that I’m just plain fucked).

Chemical imbalance can cloud one’s judgement and muffle decisions. Most people who attempt or commit suicide have an emotional or mental disorder. Mainly those with depression or bipolar disorder. But also those with drug or alcohol addiction and financially difficulties.

Most people who commit suicide, don’t want to die, they just want the hurt to go away.

We can’t say that those who commit suicide are cowards, because most will never know what they are going through. Imagine feeling so lost, and unable to think rationally. Nor can we justify suicide. We need to speak openly about suicide without judgment so those who need the help can feel comfortable reaching out.



Common Warning Signs of suicide

Signs of depression or feelings of hopeless
Lack of interest, or energy. Also drastic changes in energy level
Changing in eating habits, appearance or sleep patterns.
Any dramatic changes in behaviour, actions or attitude
Dropping out of hobbies, sports, jobs
Talking about death
Talking about suicide
Joking about dying and suicide.
A previous suicide attempt
Talking about or making a suicide plan
Risk taking behaviour. ( drinking excessively, driving recklessly, drug use, unsafe sex…)
Writing goodbye letters and giving away prized possessions


What to do when someone you know might commit suicide.

SPEAK UP. Pretending and hoping it won’t happen doesn’t help. Soceity lets to much stuff go unnoticed. Suicide is real. Help save a life!

When there is immediate danger, call 911.

If you can convince someone to go to the ER, get them there. Most emergency rooms deal with this fantastically. You simply tell the triage what is going on.

Hrm has a great mobile crisis team. They are trained to deal with any mental crisis, including suicide. They will even come to you. Local :429-8167 or toll free:1 888 429 8167

Regardless how in-depth they are with you about suicide, they need to talk with someone who is trained in that area. A family dr can offer some assistance , and also refer her/him to someone who can help. However, this sometimes takes a few months.

There is also the option of finding a psychologist privately. www.apns.ca/findpsych.html


Google searches can be quite helpful. Always feel free to contact me through here, face book, or email if you have any questions that I might be able to help you with.

Why a Pitbull?

Why a PITBULL?

I get asked that question on a regular basis. My answer- “Why Not?”!
Growing up we had poodles and muts. Don’t get me wrong, they were adorable, But they weren’t my kind of dog. I didn’t know a whole lot about “pitbulls” before we decided to look at Soleil, but I certainly did my fair share of research on the breed before convincing Anthony , and purchasing Soleil.

Since Soleil came into my life, I have never felt more complete. My interest in dogs as a species, in training, in behaviour, especially in bully breeds has perked. I could read articles and books all day just to educate myself on how to help this mis-understood breed.

I don’t do drugs, I am not a drug dealer, I work for a living, I don’t steal. I don’t have a gun, I don’t live in a bad part of town, and my pants don’t hang off my knee’s. Yet, I still have a Pit-bull. Imagine that! There are tons of us out there! Unfortunately, dumb ass chicken shit’s get Pit Bull’s for the Badass status. They hurt the breed’s reputation. Along with the other idiots that leave little kids alone with dogs. Soleil is amazing with kids. She was born and played with by kids until we purchased her at 8 weeks. As soon as we got her, we had her around kids of all ages. She loves to give them kisses, eat their ice cream and just sniff them. Regardless, she is an 80lb, very powerful dog, who , when playing rough, or just walking by, could certainly damage a child. On top of that, kids aren’t usually taught the correct way to handle a dog. Numerous things could set a dog off, and its incredibly important for an Adult to know and recognize these signs. The key is to prevent accidents. Never allow for them to happen!

My goal when purchasing Soleil was to change the view most have on Pitbulls! I realised how hard that was going to be when she was sleeping in my arms at 9 weeks, while I was in a petstore purchasing a collar. A family came up, ohhing and ahhhing over her and started patting her without permission. They wanted to know what kind of dog it was, how old is waserwc where we got her. As soon as I said “ This is Soleil. She is an American Pitbull Terrier”. The jaws dropped and they jumped back knocking the shelving unit behind them over. The mother was horrified “ Does she bite”?

Yes, she is a vicious dog at 9 weeks old. Yes she bites, that’s why she attacked you when you were all patting her. I was annoyed to say the least. Being naïve, I didn’t realise that this just the beginning of my journey of defending the breed.d

American Pit Bull Terriers are incredibly easy to train if they have an educated, responsible leader. We certainly have some problems with Soleil, but we never once hesitated to ask for help from a professional.

Their strength, their body and the way they move never bores me. I could watch them play and interact for hours. Yes, they were bred for bull baiting and dog fighting, yet, they can certainly interact with each other and humans in such a gentle way. My favourite thing about them is their whole body wag and their smile. They are always so happy!

So, why a pitbull? Come meet my pooches and ask “Why not?!”

Family Matters

Some day, I will write a book about my family. It will cause tears of both sadness and joy, it will cause shock, intense interest, and most likely a roller coaster of emotions.

I am sure most families are dysfunctional. I always laugh out loud at movies and books when there is a crazy family that reminds me of mine.

As kids we would answer the phone “ Crazy House”, “Nut House” and “Funny Farm”. When there is a house full of six children, what else could you call it? There was never a quiet moment. Someone was always in trouble. Someone was always crying. Someone always hated someone. But at the end of the night from all the bedrooms you would hear someone start the yell out ritual :

“Night everyone, Love you!”

If someone didn’t respond, there would be another yell

“Goodnight Dad, Love you!” “Laura, I said goodnight, love you”

I couldn’t sleep until everyone knew that even though I yelled at them an hour ago, and told them how much I hated them, that I truly did love them.


My family is everything to me. Living away, I am not as close to them as I wish I could be. I can never wait to go home to Cape Breton, and then after a weekend or a week filled with my chaotic family, I can’t wait to get back to Halifax for some peace and quiet. However, after just 15 minutes of driving back home, I miss them already.

My family certainly isn’t boring. There is always something exciting going on. Sure, events are hectic. Usually tears, but ALWAYS laughter. Always memories and Always Love!

Handsome American Pit Bull Terrier for Adoption!

We adopted Ruffus from Ontario where "pit bulls" are banned. However, after a little over a month him and our dog are no longer compatiable. We need to rehome him.

Ruffus is an amazing boy, who deserves a loving family. It will be very hard to see him go. Ruffus is nutered, microchipped and up to date on vacinations. He knows his basic commands Sit, stay, off, paw and is really great with "come".

I will only allow Ruffus to go to someone who is dog savvy and familar with bully breeds and BSL. Ruffus could use some basic training to help him gain confidence. He is still nervous around new people, but warms up to them fairly quickly. Ruffus would be best suited as an only dog, however, he doesn't seem to mind cats at all.

Ruffus has a bit of seperation anxiety, however, since being with us we have worked on it. He has improved, but still needs to overcome it. Excerise before being left home alone and some tasty bones can do the trick.

If I could, I would keep this boy! We have tried and even brought in a dog expert. She is also willing to anwser any questions you have via email.

Serrious inquiries only please.

Call or email

amydonovan@eastlink.ca

or
902-852-2336