Saturday, September 24

Event Schedule: 

9:00am        Doors open

10:30am      Opening Ceremonies

11:00am      1.5 mile walk through Old Settler's Park

1:30pm        Doors close

Join the Austin Dog Alliance therapy dogs during the walk.  Registering to walk with our team is free.  Our team is set up under the name Debi Krakar.  Register for our team by clicking here.

Incredible Journey 

by Nancy McIntire  

After surviving the euthanasia list and an amputation, Libby's future is bright

Libby has no concept of "I can't" according to her new family

Earlier this year, in a rural area about 100 miles west of Waco, a young, female Shepherd mix was found by the side of the road with a severely-injured leg. A passerby spotted her and took her to the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center in Brownwood. The shelter is an "unlimited intake shelter", meaning they never turn away an animal brought to them. The Shepherd mix was given the name "Bear".

Although unlimited intake shelters accept all animals that arrive on their doorstep, they are forced to make difficult decisions when they run out of space. It wasn't long before Bear, whom no one had chosen for adoption, was put on the euthanasia list.  

The Humane Society of Williamson County (HSWC), a non-profit, no-kill shelter located in Leander, Texas, learned about Bear while reviewing shelter populations in the area and brought her into HSWC to escape the euthanasia list. Bear was given a second chance.  

Upon arrival, Bear's front leg was examined by the HSWC veterinary team. No one knew the exact cause of her injury, but they suspected she'd been hit by a car. Her injuries were so extensive the leg could not be saved. She underwent amputation of her front right leg and began the recovery process at HSWC. Despite the loss of her leg, Bear's recovery was remarkable. Ron Marullo, Executive Director of HSWC, recalls that "she was happy and affectionate, and adjusted very quickly to her disability". Bear's big heart and her resilient spirit were impossible to resist. Observing her extraordinary recovery and loving personality, Marullo called Debi Krakar at ADA, to say he'd found a special dog -- one that might even have potential as a therapy dog. He believed an animal with a disability could build a unique rapport with others, including special needs children.  

Judy McCarthy, Adoption Program Manager for ADA, has a long history of evaluating shelter dogs for foster/adoption. She visited HSWC to meet Bear. "I was amazed at how well she was doing with three legs and what a great temperament she had" Judy remembers. ADA agreed to take responsibility for the Shepherd mix. The name Bear didn't quite seem to fit, so she was renamed Trisha. Susan Windham, an ADA Trainer, volunteer, and member of the ADA Pet Therapy team with her own dog, Zoe, agreed to bring Trisha into her home as a foster.  

Susan was immediately impressed with Trisha. So impressed, that she took Trisha to an ADA K9 Kids Summer Camp she was teaching. According to Susan, "She's an amazing dog; she loves everyone and has no fear.  Usually I wouldn't even consider taking a foster dog to camp, but I knew she was special -- easy going, and a joy to be around.  I felt the kids needed to see that, even though she had only three legs, it didn't slow her down.  She did everything the other dogs did in camp, even agility.  The kids at camp fell in love with her".  

One little girl, in particular, fell in love with Trisha. 9-year-old Bailey Williams met Trisha at summer camp. Bailey's mother, Kirby, saw her daughter interacting with the three-legged Shepherd mix and could see a bond building. Kirby noticed that Trisha "was so laid back and loving.  I loved how she worked with the kids and still exhibited patience and grace at the end of class. She never acted like she was disabled -- she has no concept of "I can't". I knew she might have a lot to teach Bailey".  Kirby began to consider adopting the special dog that had bonded with her daughter.  

Libby and Bailey

To ensure they were ready to take on a special needs dog (and to gain the stamp of approval from Lucy, the family's black lab), the Williams family brought Trisha home for several trial visits. The two dogs became fast friends, Trisha proved to be an easy addition to the home, and it was settled. After deciding the name Libby was a perfect fit, it became official: Libby (formerly Trisha) is now the newest member of the Williams family.  

Recognizing that Libby has the potential for a future in community service, the family observed an ADA pet therapy training class to deepen their understanding of the requirements involved in becoming a pet therapy team. "Libby has a gift in her, and would be able to connect with so many people on so many levels," Kirby says. "I want Bailey to learn about people who are differently-abled, learn to have compassion without pity, and learn to treat everyone as if they had all of their abilities and functions." Bailey and Libby plan to begin pet therapy training after Bailey's tenth birthday.  

It's been a long road for the Shepherd mix with the injured leg. From the stranger who found her abandoned alongside the road, to the Williams family that gave Libby a forever home -- and all the volunteers and shelters in between - Libby has had an incredible journey. We have a feeling, though, the happy dog with the big heart and the indomitable spirit is just getting started. We're betting Libby's story has many more chapters ahead.  

You can be part of more success stories like Libby's. Join our Foster Program!  Visit our website to learn about the full range of ADA volunteer opportunities.

Does your dog have the "back to school blues"?  

Yep, it can happen. While you may be rejoicing that your children are back at school, Fido may be in a funk!

If your dog has been reveling in the constant companionship of the kids this summer, consider for a moment what he may be feeling now. Confusion at the very least. Where did they go? What can you do about it?

Here are some steps to lessen the "Back To School Blues."

1.  If your dog was walked in the summer months by your child, someone else in the family could begin to do this.  They may miss the child, but at least they won't be missing that walk. A good long walk in the morning may help to replace the exercise that most dogs enjoy in the summer months just by trying to keep up with the kids. Those feel-good endorphins are released and do good things for both you and your dog.  As Reese Witherspoon put it so nicely in the film Legally Blonde:   "Exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't!" - Elle Woods. Consider hiring a dog walker. Look for one with references and check them thoroughly.

2.  Find some interactive toys that your dog enjoys. The Kong Wobbler is an excellent choice. It has been designed to deliver a piece of kibble if it is knocked over, but with its weighted base it rights itself so Fido can do it again. And again. And again.

3.  If Fido and child were like Velcro this summer, start to encourage some separation and some time alone for your dog. 

4.  This may be a good time for you to start spending more time with your dog, away from the kids. Similarly, if you got a puppy during the summer months, start to take steps now to forestall any problems.  Websites such as Austin Dog Alliance and Dog Star Daily have great information and tips geared towards puppies and preparing them for separations. 

5.  Lessen the fuss you make when you leave and when you come home. Be calm and encourage your child to do the same

Be sensitive to your dog's feelings now. He may pace, paw at you, be more needy, have accidents in the house (even though he has been housebroken for some time), and begin chewing more. If your dog was a rescue or shelter dog, he may be feeling even more anxious. He may feel left behind once again. In a week or two. things will begin to settle down as he adjusts to this new schedule.

Elizabeth Deitz Smith holds a CPDT-KA certification (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed) from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed), awarded by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.  Elizabeth teaches the Barking & Growling class, as well as classes in Dog Manners, Tricks, and Rally as part of the ADA training team. 

See more of Elizabeth's articles at Today's Woof, the official blog of DogBreedStore.com. 
To schedule a private consultation, please contact her at Elizabeth@AustinDogAlliance.org .   

Save 10% on toys on your class days!

Sky on her graduation day

Our Fall Semester includes multiple sessions of our most popular classes, offered weekdays and weekends to fit the needs of your schedule.    

THANK YOU for training with ADA -- Your class fees help fund K9 Kids and pet therapy programs throughout central Texas. 

Pet Therapy 

Looking Ahead ... Future Events

                             Contact us for information about a booth for your business.  

Visit our  Events Calendar to stay up to date on Austin Dog Alliance events!