I’ve been so bogged down lately with KPA coursework, clients and my normal nine to five that some of my favorite shelter doggies have moved to the back of my brain. It’s not that I want it that way it’s just what happens when this thing called “life” comes calling. That’s why I am always thrilled when they randomly pop back into my life.

Some of you might remember Rojo, the shelter dog my neighbors adopted about a year ago who I wrote about once or twice on this blog. He’s totally handsome and stole my heart along with many of yours after I featured him on here.

I mentioned in one of the posts that he was working on his reactivity towards other dogs. He also had some separation anxiety issues that left his family scratching their heads about what to do. They consulted their vet, worked with trainers at Your Dog’s Friend, and more – they put so much into this dog to make him (and subsequently their family) happy. The rescue coordinator at his shelter and I would often talk about how lucky he was to go with this family, because we weren’t sure many other people would have stuck with his issues like they did.

When I got an email update in my inbox, I wasn’t sure what it would say. To say I was ecstatic about this update would be an understatement. See for yourself:

“Rojo is doing great, and I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since we adopted him.  (We just re-hung the coat rack that he pulled down from the wall during his first week home, ha ha!)  While he’s still crated when we’re not home during the day, he has become a much, much calmer dog, almost like someone flipped a switch around what we think was his 2nd birthday in August.  So you can tell all those adolescent dog owners out there that there is light at the end of the tunnel!  

Are those pictures not remarkable? I can’t get over how perfect he looks with his human siblings! This update came at just the right time because I’ve been feeling a little stuck in my work with Paco. This update reminded me that sticking it out, coming up with creative ways to work with “issues” and thinking positive that our dogs can improve with us are all ways to move forward with progress.  Rojo’s family is certainly an inspiration to me, and I hope they also provide some hope for other dog owners out there who might be struggling with their own dogs.