As good as it is to receive them, I kind of smile and dismiss compliments. Well, I don’t really dismiss it so much as I don’t address it. I don’t mean for it to be rude, I think it’s my way of showing humility, I try to only do what I think is right in any situation more than that I’m doing something deserving of compliments or pats on the back.
We were shorthanded at the shelter the other day so I started in my normal large breed building then moved up to take care of our l’il guys. We have one I walked whom I had to spend a few moments just to get him out of his kennel, he’s a nervous guy so I also had to spend some extra time on the walk with him to build his confidence. When he got scared of something and wanted to back away, I didn’t allow him to. Now, I didn’t push forward, I waited for him to realize nothing bad was going to happen & I was there for him. After a few of these momentary pauses l’il Arnold got cruisin. Confidence building comes from patience and persistence. Never retreat! If a l’il buddy wants to back away from a “scary thing”, don’t let him – that reinforces the nervousness and teaches him TO BE scared. Push forward, without being pushy, pause, as he grows comfortable that nothing bad will happen he’ll step up to you (I have had to step back to them before, but give them time to try themselves first, and don’t allow them to back up). Give them what they need, not necessarily what they are asking.
A couple regular volunteers said “wow, look at Arnold go! You are so good with them!”. Yesterday (which was now a couple days later), in a conversation with one of those volunteers she said “…you just have have a magic.” Something similar has been said a few times.
Some people might have the magic spoken of, but I don’t think it’s me. I’m an “old man” learning a new way. Which the same can be said of our shelter animals, they also are learning a new way. That can be intimidating for an animal born to follow, they need leadership plain and simple, like myself when I was young. When they don’t get that leadership, they’re different personalities act out in different ways, that’s our fault not theirs.
We are kindred spirits I guess you could say, about the animals and me. A yin-yang if you will, they need a leader and I naturally am a leader (who is like a chameleon in my ability to change my “color” from situation to situation). This is an important thing for us to work on ourselves (for their betterment as well as our own), because, again, a lot of times what they’re asking for is not what they need.
That’s what I call soul, it’s a feeling, not magic. A lot of people have it, I’m not special or unique. A lot of people have better knowledge, skills &/or experience. Sometimes it’s hard for my ego to take that – that I’m not “the best” at what I do. But I pause to remember that I didn’t get into this field to be “the best” or to do “magic”… I’m here to make it better for the animals (I’m even starting to include the human animals in my mission). I think they feel, & therefore, know that. Energy is everything!
We as “the smart breed” need to make the quick decision of what they need first, then what they are asking, then what we want or what we get out of it.
Be smart, be patient, be persistent, be consistent. Remember they only do what we teach them, the problem is us not them (more often than not), so think about what you’re teaching.
I think someone is trying to tell me something, she’s been patient (for such a youngster. She’s been going for my toes, and everything else while I’ve been writing, all teaching moments while trying to teach) …
