My Happy Dogs

This is the story about my great pack of dogs. I own 3 small dogs, Kitty (6 years), Shiva (10 years, her name is pronounced as Sheevaa) and Laska (17 years). I want you to meet them, I'm sure you'll love them by their photos only. My happy dogs make me smile all the time. I hope they put a smile on your face too!

I'm so proud of them and love them dearly. They are the best dogs in the world! Even if I would be offered 10 million dollars for them I would never give them away. My dogs are my family, my big heroes! They make my day, every day, over and over again. We are a great team!

All Photo Credits in this Lens belong to the Author. All rights reserved!

On the Photo starring from left to right:

Laska, Shiva and Kitty (and that strange human with the red hair is me)

Dogs love food and treats in between. I always choose natural treats as I don't like artificial stuff at all. One of the treats I give to my dogs is Zuke's Hip Action, my doggies love them!

One of my dear colleague Lens Masters and friend, Nancy Hardin, wrote the following quote on a post I published on Facebook:

"Dog is God spelled backwards....is it coincidence? Or was it done on purpose to teach us how to love unconditionally?"

Such wise words! Dogs are pure love. Every dog owner who loves his dogs, knows this. They are loving beings, without expecting anything back. Dogs are loyal friends. My dogs are no exception. No matter what I look like, no matter how I feel, they are always there for me. Wagging their tales when they see me. They are playful, want to cuddle and hug me. And above all: they accept me the way I am! We humans often think we are better than animals, but we aren't. I know only a very few people that are able to love unconditionally, like dogs do.

I am disabled. It wasn't always like that. When I got my dogs I was healthy and a sports. We did exercise a lot together. Until l became ill and due to my illness got a drop foot and severe muscle weakness in my right leg. Nine months later My left hand became affected too. The active life I had with my dogs, was over with all of the sudden. I walk my dogs now with my walker in a very slow pace. No more running, no more fly ball, no more biking with them. That is all in the past now.

In the beginning I was so worried about my pack. They were used to a lot of activity. I was so afraid I couldn't make them happy anymore. But in a miraculous way they adjusted themselves to the new situation. When it all just happened I seriously considered re-homing them, but there was and still is no need to do that

It is amazing how well they deal with the situation. I was terrified my dogs would get depressed, bored, unhappy, frustrated, etc. but none of this happened! Instead they found a new way together with me to meet their needs. And they are still loving me. My dogs are still happy and cheerful!.

Many so called "human friends" gave up on me, but my dogs never did. We found other ways to exercise. For example I throw balls with my youngest dog, Kitty. And on a regular base we go run with my scooter. I got my scooter 10 months ago and Kitty is so happy when I take her with me for a good running session! We both enjoy it a lot! She needs this kind of exercise and I am so very happy I can give her this! You should see her when she is running together with me!

My dogs are my teachers. I learned the true meaning of unconditional love and loyalty from them. The biggest gift I ever got in my life! They helped me not to become a depressed wreckage by cheering me up all the time. Dogs have a sixth sense for our emotions! They are experts in reading our body language! My dogs notice everything and will do all within their power to regain balance and harmony! We are so happy together!

Watch this short video I produced starring my doggies of course. See how well behaved they are ;-)

Laska is the oldest dog in my household. He is 17 years now, a grandpa! I adopted him 5 years ago from a Spanish shelter through an organisation that rescues those dogs. Another dog I had, Boomer, died at age 16. I missed an older dog. So I went looking for one and through many searches on Google I found Laska. I was drawn to his photo immediately! So I contacted the volunteers and within a few weeks he arrived. I went to pick him up in my neighborhood on April fools day (no joke!). We we had our first walk together. It was great, it was love at first sight!

Laska is a Podenco Mix. He was found on the streets as a stray dog in Spain, probably dumped by his former owner(s). I know nothing about his background, but that doesn't matter. He is with me now and he'll never leave till the day he dies. I am so glad he is here! I love him dearly. And he fits perfectly with my other 2 dogs. They never fight! My two ladies are both high energy dogs. Laska is the relaxing factor in the pack. He brings balance.

Laska is very relaxed, he loves to sniff a lot during our walks. For a little dog he has very big feet, so I gave him the nickname "Laska Big Foot".

When he is inside he sleeps most of the time. That is because he is so old. He is still in a very healthy condition. You should see him when it is time to eat. Then all of the sudden my old little man stands up and runs around like a young dog, excited and happy, wow! Laska always makes me smile!

Shiva came to me about 8 years ago. She was 3 years old and her former owners had given her up for adoption. The woman was pregnant and they were afraid she was going to attack the baby. The first time I met Shiva was at their home. I will never forget my first meeting with her! She was outside in the garden and I heeled sitting close to her. Stupid mistake! I was too close and Shiva bit me in my lip, ouch! But I knew it was my fault, nobody saw it so I didn't tell. I felt attracted to this somehow "crazy dog". I was told she had a barking problem. She barked excessively at other dogs. We went for a walk and nothing really happened. That was because there were no other dogs around. At the end of the afternoon I decided I'd take her.

A few weeks later the couple brought her to my place. Soon I found out that Shiva didn't only have barking issues. She was aggressive too and pulling the leash like crazy. She attacked my other dog and outside she went furious when we met a small Maltese dog. Shiva attacked that dog too. I was desperate! But I never give up on dogs, no matter what.

My vet gave me the address of a dog trainer and that same evening I watched TV. There was an episode of the "Dog Whisperer" (Cesar Millan). I had never seen it before and watched it. What an amazing man! He was training a dog that was aggressive and I learned a lot from this episode. That same night I searched for him on Google and found his website. There was a forum too on Yahoo. I couldn't stop reading, registered to this forum immediately and asked for support.

To make a long story short: Shiva is a great dog now, very well behaved and loving. She still barks from time to time, but not in an excessive way. The nightmare dog is in the past. She has never attacked a dog anymore and is now almost 11 years old. We went to dog training school together and she was the best of the groups she attended time after time again.

I am so proud of her and love her. She is a great dog now and I learned a lot about myself and the way dogs see us. I learned it's not about the dog(s) but about the owners behavior. This is really true! When I changed my attitude towards Shiva she made positive changes too! It's that simple!

Before Kitty came into my life I never had a puppy. Until Kitty arrived I always adopted older dogs. Kitty came to me through a friend I know from dog walking. The dog of his aunt had run away to meet a pretty neighbor dog. That pretty neighbor dog became pregnant and this resulted in the birth of Kitty. The owner didn't have enough money to keep her and the aunt of my friend couldn't have her too, so they were looking for someone to give her a loving home. My friend asked me if I was interested. It was almost Christmas. His aunt was seeing him the next day at his place and I agreed to meet her and that puppy.

This is my youngest dog Kitty, she loves to run, on or off leash doesn't matter to her ;-)

Since the day we met Kitty and I are inseparable. She is almost 7 years now and was 3 months when she came to live with me. Of course I took her! I couldn't resist her, she was such a fluffy and adorable puppy! Kitty has always been very cheerful and playful. She is naughty and makes you laugh all the time. I've never seen her angry or grumpy! She is a big fan of playing ball and it is such a joy to play that game with her! She never gets tired of it. You should hear the sounds that she makes when I am throwing her balls! Kitty still acts like a puppy! She really does! And looks young forever or so!

Kitty is also great with other dogs. When she sees one she becomes enthusiastic and excited but when they come near her she shows the other dog(s) she is really submissive! She loves people too, actually she loves anyone and anything. Kitty is a very clever girl too, she learns new tricks within a minute or so and she loves learning new stuff.

I take her for a good run everyday since I have my scoot. She needed this so badly! She is a high energy doggy and needs to burn that energy. It always amazes me that she never gets tired! Our rides together are such a joy! It is hard to describe what she looks like when she is running, it is like she has a big smile on her face. And she makes such fun noises. Kitty is my "Happy maker"! When I feel a bit down or so, she always makes me feel good again Kitty makes me laugh with her funny behavior! We are a perfect team together!