All Dogs Are Working Dogs

Libby

When I was speaking with my sister recently about her Yorkie, Libby, who is almost two years old, she was telling me how she finds Libby’s typically fearless terrier behaviour endearing. I got a sense that she believed it was just Libby specifically who has this “attitude,” so I thought I would make her aware of the background of Yorkshire terribles terriers.

My sister looked completely shocked as I told her about the creation of the Yorkie to hunt rats in cotton barns and textile factories of Yorkshire, England. In typical older-sister fashion, she brushed off my history tutorial and refused to believe her fluffy little Libby had been meticulously designed for mass murder.

Many people fail to realize that their dog was created for a purpose—be it ratting, hunting, retrieving, herding or, in many cases, just being outright adorable. What may seem to us like a quirky behaviour or habit may actually be from the breed’s past.

Roxie, a JRT, collecting her hot dogs into a neat and tidy pile.

I grew up with a bichon frise, a dog derived from the Portuguese water dog.  Apt swimmers, PWDs would retrieve the fishing nets for fishermen out on the fishing boats. Only the ones who did the best job returning with the nets were continually bred. So heaven forbid my bichon greet me without a present! It turned into a fun game when returning home—what is he going to bring us? (Casper was a good boy and usually brought us one of his toys.)

Other than the history lesson, this information comes in handy when considering, is your dog happy?

My dog Casper, at work as a therapy dog.

As humans, we usually consider our dogs’ mental health in terms of giving them the things that they seem to like—such things as the occasional opportunity to have their head out the car window, a play date with a friend, or a favourite treat. However, is this true happiness for them? Or is it the one thing we humans habitually dread that they are longing for in those restless dreams? Do our dogs want jobs?

I am convinced that there is no happier living thing on earth than a Labrador retriever carrying a stick on a walk. These jobs do not necessarily have to be breed specific, but usually any activity that requires dogs to use their minds will make them feel most useful.

Hogan, mid-jump at agility. This photo was taken from his blog.
http://www.wordwitlox.com/dogblog/2013/01/hogans-heading-to-his-first-agility-trial/

Activities like agility are great for energetic dogs, and they don’t necessarily have to be overtly athletic. And for the social butterflies out there, I highly suggest therapy dog programs. Nothing is more therapeutic than a dog. Absolutely nothing. 

Boomer, still available for adoption. I don't know if he has any retriever in him,
but anything resembling a tennis ball gets his attention.

Why I Volunteer: Nick

And Why You Should Too.

Without a doubt, animal rescue is a morally righteous hobby. It is hard to disagree when you look at the state of animal welfare in our society, from general overpopulation, punitive training techniques, to puppy mills. But everyone finds their way into activities in different ways, and mine was purely self-serving.

I grew up with a family dog. After doing much research, my family purchased a Bichon Frise from the most reputable breeder we could find. Neither of my parents had grown up with dogs, so this was largely uncharted territory. After taking our hamster to the vet for an ankle injury, my parents finally gave in to our pleading. And so Casper joined the Iordanis family.

My two sisters and I with 2 year old Casper.

I have two older sisters, so adding another male to the bottom of the totem pole was great for me. Casper and I definitely saw each other as brothers. He slept at the foot of my bed, and we ate lunch together most days. As much as Casper and I were brothers, he absolutely loved my grandpa.

Casper, hanging out with the oldest people he could find.

When we told my grandpa we were getting a dog, he offered to build a doghouse for “it” to live outside (what he was accustomed to in our native Greece). Little did Grandpa know, in the following years when he would babysit Casper, the little dog would sleep in his bed—kicking Grandma out to the spare bedroom.

The love Casper had for my grandpa (it became mutual) got my mom to certify him as a therapy dog with St. John’s Ambulance. While he had a great time at Sick Kids’ Hospital, what he really wanted was a retirement home.  Seniors were Casper’s “speed.”

Casper on the couch with Andrea. He does kids too!

I moved away from Pickering for four years to go to university. I noticed how much I missed the companionship of a dog, but I was pretty busy trying to balance my textbooks on top of my case of beer. Casper would freak out when I came home for a weekend but then would remember, hey, you left me, and would give me the cold shoulder for a while. Unfortunately, Casper passed away at the age of 14 the summer after I graduated from university.

About a year later, I conceded that I needed—not just enjoyed but needed—a k9 in my life. However, at this point in my life I am not really in a position to own a dog. So what’s a guy to do?

Well, why not volunteer? I know there are some dogs out there who could, at the very least, tolerate my presence. So I interviewed with TAGS and haven’t looked back since. In my time at TAGS, I’ve learned a lot about dog behaviour, which is critical when volunteering in rescue.

Buttercup, a dog I helped socialize and ultimately helped get adopted.
Read my blog post about Buttercup here. 

I have found great inspiration in these rescue animals. Many of these dogs are abused and have had horrible lives, but they do not hold that against me—the next human in line holding their leash. When they first come into the program, there can sometimes be an Oh boy, this one’s going to be tough to get adopted feeling. Then we get pictures from adoptive families with their dog, and the dog doesn’t even resemble its former self.

Boomer, the TAGS dog I am helping socialize right now.
He is still available for adoption!

The best feeling in the world for me is seeing a dog at the dog park after it has been adopted. My personal favourite is when the dogs see their family start to leave, and they bolt toward the door as if to say, “I’m coming, I’m coming. Don’t forget me! I want to be in this family!”

Many people say that they would have a hard time volunteering in rescue because they would want to keep them all. To that I say you are missing the whole point. When you volunteer in rescue, you are not trying to save one dog—you are trying to save as many as you can. So while that may mean seeing some of your favourites get adopted, it also means that there is another soul out there who is down on their luck and needs some help.

Casper volunteering at a retirement home.

Saving one dog is better than none, but saving 90 dogs (amount of adoptions by TAGS in 2012) is considerably more rewarding, and that’s why you should volunteer in rescue too.

Casper, looking under a canoe.
Casper Iordanis 1994 - 2008