bradpattison.com

You know, I really try and stay positive and focused on potential but yesterday was a rough day. Yesterday I beat myself up good and almost had a cry.

Moving is hard. Trying to figure out who to connect with out here is hard. Finding good places to walk Ella is hard. There are almost no fenced yards and almost everyone walks their dogs off-leash everywhere in spite of leash laws which makes walking Ella hard.

I just got WAY overwhelmed yesterday. I took some crazy logging road to try and find somewhere remote to let the poor girl run loose. She has been so darned good and she needs to run and there is no where safe to let her do that but I couldn't find anywhere and then I chose a spot and there was bear scat ...

I got back to the highway and there was a mock dog house at the road across the way. There is a kennel at the end of it apparently. I almost crossed and went in to ask if they knew of any walking groups or trainers on the Coast (which I can't afford these days) but I was so close to tears I knew I'd start bawling and I didn't want to do that with a perfect stranger.

My new vet and staff didn't know of any groups and the two trainers who info they gave me are clicker/treat people and I am not going there again.

Yup. Worked myself right up.
Took her to the next town over and parked way the heck up on the hill and we did our usual umbilical walk and she was so wound up and being such a bone head it didn't start out too well until I realized I had a headache from being so wound up so I took an imaginary chill pill and then we had a very lovely and productive walk exploring the town.

There is this KILLER hill and we walked both down and then back up it. We had to stop every block to catch our breath. Ella was as winded as I was. I told her we should walk it three times a week until it gets easy and then a local told me NO one who actually lives here walks up that hill!!

The town is only 20 mins away so I think we'll do it again, but I still need to find some buddies and help out here to keep Ella and me moving in the right direction. I feel like such a wimp sometimes.

Moving is an adjustment...give it time. You and Ella will be fine! As you get to know people things will fall into place...for now, stick to your 20min drive, like you said. The more you get out, the more you'll meet people.
Good luck!

Hi Agree with Michelle B -moving is hard. I was like you- it was hard to adjust and takes time.
I moved from the city to a small town. I was lonely-still ran back to city for everything. And yes lol-I did things no one else in town ever did. Like climb giant hills and such. I was sooo lost without the noise and busy doing nothing of the city.
I didn't know about things in the country-like cover your septic tank with straw-I just wondered why people had bales in their yards and thought it was for their pet dogs. Our tank line froze up!
People were friendly but it was hard to connect. I hope even 1 buddy comes along for you!

What happened to your co-worker who suggested that he take Ella for runs?

Oh- and I'd go back to the kennel to check them out. It could turn out to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

You will be okay.. Take it from us military folk.. It will get easier but you have to find fun in yourself and not but shy about it..

I’m in a similar boat, hun, so can relate! It’ll be 2 weeks tomorrow since we moved here. I was so overwhelmed the day we moved – movers asking where stuff should go, my sister-in-law asking me where stuff should go, Jessie going wild on umbilical, pulling everywhere, etc. – I had to excuse myself to go bawl in the basement for a few minutes lol..

I was off work for a week after the move so spent some time researching, etc., and still continue to. I went into a few pet stores - Global, PetSmart, etc., and grabbed as many business cards and as much info as I could on local vets, daycares, parks, etc. The more isolated a locale you’re in, however, it’s of course more difficult. It just means that you may have to drive a bit further to get to where you want to go. Or, invite people to where you are - have a house warming dog party.

I’m surprised the vet office was clueless – normally they’re the ones with their ‘doggy ears to the ground’ lol...

Don’t worry hun - getting into a comfortable groove in a new environment takes time.. and you’ll be there before you know it.

OI! Thanks guys.

I've been here three weeks and I guess it all hit this week too that I'm not just on holidays. I really did this to myself and this is home now.

I braved a park today with a million off-leash dogs and she passed two okay and went nuts on three. I so badly just want to drop the leash all together and take a chance on her off-leash too, but there is that nagging question in the back of my mind about if she'll hurt another dog.

The other dogs sense her tenseness and hostility. The old lab she passed first, we passed right at the end of the loop again and I was talking to his mom for a minute and Ella went rigid I guess because we stopped and that gave her too much time to look at him. He woofed once and loud, like I"M ON TO YOU! Give it up!!

And she started to go for him so I just pulled her away and left.

I'll keep searching. Like you said. There has to be someone.

My co-worker doesn't actually run that much. I think he likes to think he'll run. He's one of those guys who can go out and run a half marathon with no training - BARF!
And he is planning to move within the next four months too.

Things will work themselves out...don't fret! Your dog probably feels your stress and is affected by the move as well. A dog park with a lot of off-leash dogs might be too overwhelming for him/her and is showing aggression because of that. Just recalling a few of brad's recent episodes where the dog was aggressive towards other dogs because of a lack of socialization. Not sure if that's your issue, but maybe try putting an ad in the local paper/vet message board, etc. looking for a playmate or walking buddy for you and your dog. Introducing your dog gradually to other dogs might get more of a friendly response than an aggressive one. Our neighbour has 2 large dogs that stay in the yard literally all day by themselves and don't get to socialize with other dogs. When I asked her if she wanted to come to the local dog park with me, she declined, saying that her dogs are aggressive towards other dogs and need to be walked in more remote areas so they don't get in a fight. Not saying you're in that category, but I thought it was very sad to think that the neighbour can't let her dogs be social and meet other dogs. I really hope you are able to meet some new doggie people and start enjoying your life in your new town. Are you in Sechelt now, or did you move from there? Beautiful place...I loved it there when we did some travelling on the Sunshine Coast. Good luck and chin up!

Don't give up I have also a dog who is very difficult I have problem with her when I take her for a walk she always want to fight with others but I know with patience and taking course to be a better owner. she make progress but I need to stay focus and have a lot of determination.

Godd luck

If you need to let out a good cry, go for it - it'll do you some good.

We are moving in about 6 weeks so you are describing all the things I worry about, but I try not to.

I do have a suggestion for you. Search on http://www.meetup.com for a dog group, any dog group - your dog's breed, a walking group, a hiking group (for dogs). Join and see how it goes. I've been involved in a Meetup group for 4 years now and it's done us and other members wonders. I've already started a Meetup group where we are moving to, and we aren't even there yet, lmao!

Bad days are the best days to pick yourself up and move forward, so go for it!

Bonnie