Persistence Pays...

by Cat Fortier
(NW IL)

It is with a heavy heart, that I add my Son "Abel", to this page. He died this week, in my arms at 15.4 yrs old.

Abel was NOT my dream dog. In fact, he was everything in an Aussie I did not want. I went to the breeders to get a black tri female, small and show quality. What I came home with, was the biggest bluest boy, not "ideally marked" for the show ring. The girl I had picked out, wanted nothing to do with me. She wiggled and squirmed and fussed every time I picked her up, several times on several different visits. Abel, however was always in my lap, or following me. I would pick him up and put him back with the others, only to have him crawl right back. By week 7 it was obvious he had chosen me. He would not be denied. I never regretted letting him pick me. Not a single day, from the moment I understood he was serious.

He wasn't show quality. But he was one hell of an agility and obedience dog. So good in fact, our trainer liked taking him through his paces just to feel his speed. He was injured at 4 yrs old when another dog got loose from his handler and attacked him at the top of the A frame, knocking him off and onto his back, injuring his spinal cord, causing him a loss of coordination. We tried all sorts of therapy. He was officially retired from agility a year later.

From there, he was the official foster dog trainer. 13 yrs of helping me raise severely traumatized and neglected foster dogs and puppies. They pushed him hard, but he was never mean back, even a bit too easy. But all "his" puppies, took away his good nature.

Thank you Abel, You made me a better dog owner, and a better person. They say you can judge a person by their dog. But you, trained me. Thank you for going so easy on me.

You will always be "My Son".

Have Dog Training Questions?

Check out these introductory dog training videos...

I want my dog to stop being aggressive.

I want some help training my new puppy.

I want my dog to stop barking at everything.

I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash.

I want my dog to listen and come every time I call!