When we moved to Indiana five years ago, I noticed the very first week in our house that this darling old man would walk past every single day at around the same time. He wore knee-high compression socks and a sweatband. His workout clothes were clearly dated – the color blocking made me think 80s. He moved slowly but with purpose. And I saw him walk past our house every single day, rain or shine, snow or sun.
Five years later, I still see the same man every single day. He’s still in those compression socks, still with the sweatband, but he’s trimmer and he’s faster. He sort of jog-walks now.
It’s inspiring. It’s motivating. It’s tenacious.
And it got me thinking about the training process.
On Tuesday, I found myself praying that the predicted overnight thunderstorms would roll in early so Cooper and I wouldn’t have to go to agility. Our first week was a disaster. The second week was slightly better in that he didn’t bark the entire hour, but it was also much worse in that I dropped the leash for a second and he charged the trainer. He gave him his most fearful back-off tirade, but by the end of class had reined it in and even accepted cheese from the trainer.
Logically, I knew we needed to go. I knew it would be good for him. I knew it would help us progress as a team. I knew it would tire him out, and I knew it would propel us another inch forward in teaching him coping skills.
I also knew it would be an exhausting, stressful, frustrating hour for me.
But then I thought of that man. He has kept up his walking every single day in all kinds of weather, and I can clearly see his progress. It didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen in the first year even. But it happened.
Because he was tenacious. He never gave up. Heck, he’s still going.
So I pulled on my sneakers, loaded up my treat bag, grabbed my can of Easy Cheese, and off we went.
And it was better than I could have imagined.
He worked hard. (Have I mentioned that Cooper is REALLY good at agility? He’s a total natural! I’m the one who stinks.) He stayed calm for the majority of our hour. He took cheese from the trainer, did a down for the trainer, and even stayed focused when a squirrel ran around the course. He had one meltdown toward the end when a dog rushed the fence, but overall he did much better.
By the time we left, I was glowing with pride!
We only have one session left before we move, but I’m going to research options to continue our training in Louisiana.
My goal is simple: Build his confidence.
Now, thanks to a little inspiration from a total stranger, I’m going to pursue that goal tenaciously.
(BTW: Would it be totally weird to run out there one day before we move to tell him how proud I am of him? That would be weird, right?)
What about you and your pup? Any areas need a boost in tenacity? What goals are you pursuing boldly?
I am so happy for you – I’m tearing up just reading this. It’s good to remember that … just when you’re ready to give up, that’s when something great will happen. Think if you hadn’t gone to that class – you’re perspective would be totally different. Good for you!
Thanks, Amy! You’re so right… My perspective is different now, and I’m dreading our last class a tiny bit less than I was last week! 🙂
Oh, how wonderful. I’m glad your tenacious neighbor inspired you to keep going with Cooper. And yes, you will see tremendous benefits over time.
It might be a little weird to tell you unknown neighbor you’re proud of him. But he might not mind hearing that he inspired you. 🙂
Don’t know if you’ll have time to post before you move. But if not, I’ll be thinking of you all. I hope everyone copes well with all the stress and is happy to be together as a family (and with a new kitty, right?).
Yeah… I think I may try to catch him casually, like I happen to be weeding the flower bed when he passes by or something. I won’t tell him about the pic I snapped and posted to the internet, though! 🙂
I’m going to try to post a little bit next week, but we shall see! I think of all the things I’m nervous about, introducing the dogs to the cat makes me the most nervous. I’ve been doing a ton of research on making it a smooth transition, so we shall see! Fingers crossed!
Way to go you (and the good sir!) It’s pretty impressive that you’re keeping at it. I totally would go tell him he inspired me.
Thanks, Jodi! I do think I’m going to have to catch that guy and let him know. He almost makes me think I could take up running. Almost.
Go Cooper… Good to know you’re improving.
BTW, I think you should talk to the stranger. It most likely make his day to know that he has been your inspiration. I know, I would love to know that I helped someone by just being me… 😀
Aww! Such a good point! Thanks, Shraddha!
This makes me want to take up agility with my own dog that needs a confidence boost!
I bet your neighbor would love to hear that he’s an inspiration.
Good luck with the move. 🙂
Sarah, It’s incredible how much agility affects his confidence. He starts out each session with his tail firmly tucked between his legs, and he’s visibly trembling. By the end, he’s strutting his stuff across the dog walk and poised in the pause box. It’s pretty amazing to see how far he comes in just one session. If you decide to undertake an agility class, please keep me posted on your progress!!
Good for you for letting that nice man inspire you to keep at it with Cooper, and it is paying off (yes, you should tell him so, I think it will make him feel good). Not giving up is always a good way to go. Sometimes with me it is just sheer stubbornness that keeps me going when I am getting discouraged with something. Is that the same as tenacity? 🙂
As long as you do it the right way with introducing the cat and the dogs, I think it will be fine. We have both in our household and we’ve always gotten through the transition fine by just taking it slow and introducing them gradually. They may not all be best friends, but they co-exist peacefully anyway! Good luck with everything!
Thanks, Jan!! And YES that’s totally how I define tenacity! 🙂
Thanks for the words of encouragement on introducing the boys to the cat. I’ve been researching it like crazy, and I think you’re spot on: They don’t have to be besties, but they need to co-exist peacefully. If I were a betting man (which I’m not!!) I’d say Lucas will love her, Emmett will ignore her, and Cooper… well, if he treats her anything like he treats squirrels, we may have some trouble!
If it makes you feel any better, we had dogs in the past that totally loved to chase squirrels, but they never chased the cats! Our current dogs occasionally will chase the cats, but they always stop when we yell at them. One of our cats used to egg them on….she’d deliberately run just to get them in trouble, I think. The dogs never knew what to do once they caught up to her anyway….she’d just spin around and sit down!
That DOES make me feel better!! Thank you!! 🙂
Wow! Such an amazing and inspiring story! I definitely need to get crackin’ on some of Maia’s issues. This definitely gave me a push in the right direction. Thanks! 😉
Good luck working with Maia! Definitely blog your progress so we can all follow along!!
I vote for telling him (albeit casually, while you’re out gardening, as someone suggested) because how often do we get to find out we’ve made a difference for someone? I would imagine he’d be very stoked to know that he’s had such an impact on you. Now, do you tell him he’s had an impact on LOTS of people via the Internet?!? 😉
HA!!! I think I’d leave off the internet bit… So not trying to creep out my elderly neighbor! 🙂
Great post. You’ve inspired me to get going with Rita’s issues. (She’s not tooooo bad, but she does have some fear issues.) I *really* need to get off my butt and call a trainer about her. (Just not sure who to call, but think I’ve finally found someone good to try.)
I bet your neighbor would like to hear that he inspired you. I used to walk with my 3 legged dog and a random guy at the dog beach came up and shook my hand one day and said he just wanted to say how much he admired both me and my dog. (Not sure why me?? Her, I could see!) It was nice. (The funny thing is that I go to the same beach now with my regular ol’ 4-legger, and he doesn’t pay me any mind… so I guess he mostly admired her.) 🙂
What a great story, Jackie! And please blog about it if you decide to work with Rita’s “issues.” I’d love to follow along!
Way to go, Cooper! (And Maggie! And older stranger gentleman!) 😉
It’s tough to keep at it – everyone knows agility with reactive dogs is a workout for the dog, they don’t talk much about what a workout it is for the owner. Good for you for just doing it.
Good luck with your move. I do hope you find someone down in LA that you can continue to with. The benefits can be amazing.
Thanks, Leslie! You’re really the one who’s inspiring me to keep going! I started doing a little research and found a couple maybe promising options, so fingers crossed!