I’ve “worked” with dogs my entire life starting with our first family pet – Taffy – a Terrier mutt.  She was the sweetest dog you’d ever want to meet and taught me about dogs' hearts! Yes, I mean "dogs".  When I took on the task of feeding and training her, I didn’t realize how much I needed her and how much I would learn from her.  She provided me a much-needed place to safely experience all those feelings kids and teenagers feel.  Because of this, she and I were bonded in a way that’s difficult to explain but it was definitely on a heart level! 

When I would cry, she was always there to lick away my tears and comfort me and when I was scared, she would nestle up and cuddle me to help me feel better and safe.  It was noticeably clear from the day we got her as a stray that there was something incredibly special about her – it was her heart and spirit. 
 
As I entered the difficult teenage years, my relationship with Taffy grew even stronger even though I was very busy.  She was always there to listen to my heartaches over boys, grades, and my fears of growing up. I can still remember looking into her big black eyes and feeling like we connected heart-to-heart. . .because we did.
 
Taffy lived to a ripe old age of 18!  When she died on Thanksgiving Day, I knew that that holiday would always hold a special meaning in my heart.  I would never forget her.  She opened my heart to receive the unconditional love of every dog that would ever cross my path.
 
What I’ve come to realize from that very early connection to my first furry family friend is that if anyone opens their heart and soul to what a dog is offering at no cost, they will let you into their heart and spirit in a very special way.  I can easily sum up that what I’ve learned working with dogs, starting with our first family pet to raising Guide Dog puppies to training difficult dogs and rescuing others is that all of them offer you their heart.  It’s actually hard to explain in words but if you’ve felt it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 
 
When I reflect over all my years of being blessed with a dog in my life either as a pet, a project, or in a training situation, they ALL have offered me their heart.  Each one is different in their own unique way, but they all have that unconditional acceptance and love to offer anyone who is willing to just be in their presence, in their calm and understanding existe