So Sam, my long term project, has turned into a most loyal and responsive addition to my mutts world. It hasn't always been candy and flowers but persistence pays off, sometimes.

Ongoing trust issues are centered on strangers and or non immediate family visitors. He isn't too keen on strangers within 5 or so yards, either inside or outside.

The bride took Sam for his nightly 2 mile walk, earlier. An uneventful walk through the park and around some streets out and back. But she is mindful of proximity and distractions, and the vigilance Sam practices. He is quite tuned in to stuff but not in a nervous way.

Sam is, in a few ways, my favorite dog of all time. He is a shadow, and immediately responsive to my commands. He's acutely tuned into a person's mood. He seeks to console, if that isn't too strange a concept.

Strongest dog I have ever had. He enjoys playing with logs, for example, and really likes to carry them around. Not sticks, weighty chunks of log. Fascinating to watch.

Occasionally I think about what kind of life he might have had in the two years before he found his way here. Someone took the time to train basic commands but it was and is clear he had and has trust issues.

Anyway, it has been a couple of years in the doing but Sam is finally a member of the pack and family. There were times early in his tenure here that I considered throwing in the towel but I didn't. I'm glad I didn't, and Sam didn't make it easy.

Nothing much in this epistle, other than to post something. It seems a waste to have no new posts on the forum in a few days.

And as I typed, the two males came over and went down under my legs. They get along, now, though it was not always so. An added bonus, I suppose.

And so it goes.

This is my favorite kind of post.

I remember when Sam came to you, and also some of the challenges along the way.

Persistence does pay off. Persistence and consistency.

I adopted a very reactive senior a long while back. Desensitizing that guy, and showing him that his pack leader would deal with whatever came along -- it took about eighteen months before I saw solid improvement. But it was so satisfying to watch him after he'd been here about three years. He would march past his fence-fighter enemy dog just as if he didn't exist! Everything was different. Everything was better.

I salute you (and Sam too). Think of how his interior life has changed for him to be so different now. I imagine that his sense of security has increased a hundredfold.

This is the kind of post I like to read too, Sam sounds like a great dog, who has had the best kind of chances to live a normal, happy and secure life.

Lovely post, Mike.

So happy to read that Sam has made such huge improvments. Wonderful example how we should handle a dog, never loose the courage to go on. Congrats, Mike!

 Quote: Mike Arnold

So Sam, my long term project, has turned into a most loyal and responsive addition to my mutts world. It hasn't always been candy and flowers but persistence pays off, sometimes.

Ongoing trust issues are centered on strangers and or non immediate family visitors. He isn't too keen on strangers within 5 or so yards, either inside or outside.

The bride took Sam for his nightly 2 mile walk, earlier. An uneventful walk through the park and around some streets out and back. But she is mindful of proximity and distractions, and the vigilance Sam practices. He is quite tuned in to stuff but not in a nervous way.

Sam is, in a few ways, my favorite dog of all time. He is a shadow, and immediately responsive to my commands. He's acutely tuned into a person's mood. He seeks to console, if that isn't too strange a concept.

Strongest dog I have ever had. He enjoys playing with logs, for example, and really likes to carry them around. Not sticks, weighty chunks of log. Fascinating to watch.

Occasionally I think about what kind of life he might have had in the two years before he found his way here. Someone took the time to train basic commands but it was and is clear he had and has trust issues.

Anyway, it has been a couple of years in the doing but Sam is finally a member of the pack and family. There were times early in his tenure here that I considered throwing in the towel but I didn't. I'm glad I didn't, and Sam didn't make it easy.

Nothing much in this epistle, other than to post something. It seems a waste to have no new posts on the forum in a few days.

And as I typed, the two males came over and went down under my legs. They get along, now, though it was not always so. An added bonus, I suppose.

And so it goes.

God BLESS you & the whole family, both human & canine !!! LOTS of hard work and FAITH on everyone's part is to thank for such a satisfying outcome, Mike

I was spoiled with my "best ever" dog because I got him at 6 wks but hearing about another person making that magic connection after hard work is always a joy to read.

Good morning,

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre..." William Butler Yeats
Reminds me of the flow of life...

So, in the on-going saga of Sam, the most recent chapter has his right rear leg splaying and unstable. And not getting any better. Vet has helped. Meds and alternatives. Been progressing since January.

A shame. Still fearless. Runs with his left leg doing most of the work. Doesn't whimper or complain. Still my shadow.

He has come such a distance. We have learned together. Learned to trust each other. In many ways my favorite of all the dogs I have had.

A decision looms large in the background. But not until the last possible second. Hopefully a long time in the future. Who knows? Maybe.

At my feet as I type. Occasionally nuzzling for a scratch. Reminding me he is here. A comfort. A genuine companion.

Ah well. "Turning and turning in the widening gyre..."

 Quote: Mike Arnold

Good morning,

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre..." William Butler Yeats
Reminds me of the flow of life...

So, in the on-going saga of Sam, the most recent chapter has his right rear leg splaying and unstable. And not getting any better. Vet has helped. Meds and alternatives. Been progressing since January.

A shame. Still fearless. Runs with his left leg doing most of the work. Doesn't whimper or complain. Still my shadow.

He has come such a distance. We have learned together. Learned to trust each other. In many ways my favorite of all the dogs I have had.

A decision looms large in the background. But not until the last possible second. Hopefully a long time in the future. Who knows? Maybe.

At my feet as I type. Occasionally nuzzling for a scratch. Reminding me he is here. A comfort. A genuine companion.

Ah well. "Turning and turning in the widening gyre..."

Mike, does your Vet know what's causing this? If not exactly, would you consider consulting any local specialist or a university Vet school? Meanwhile, BIG HUGS all 'round!

Mike, fingers crossed here!

I'm getting closer with Trooper who just turned 12 last month.

Last trip to the vets for his yearly checkup I had to build a set of portable steps so he could get in the back of my small, Pontiac Vibe.

Still toss his Kong a few times a day but not very far because those back legs just don't work like they used to.

I made the mistake yrs ago with one of my dogs and kept him to long just for ME.

I'll never do that again.

Fingers crossed here too, Mike.

My dogs' aging has been harder on me than my own.