Introducing the newest #YEGFosterBeagle Eddie! He’s 5 yrs old, super cute and a sweetheart. We think he may be a Beagle-Corgi cross. Is that a Borgi? Resistance is futile in adopting this cute guy! #yegdogs#fosterdogs#yeg#AdoptDontShop
I was wrong about things.
It wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last, but I was wrong.
This story is about one of the most inspirational people on this platform, and that is Marla, the dog mom of @servicerotties and Chesnyy.
To start, some background.
My grandmother was a wheelchair user, and she died when I was 20.
She was literally the only disabled person I knew. I had many misconceptions about mobility and disabilities, despite a family member being a wheelchair user.
I could list some of them and it would be embarrassing.
Ok, here’s one. When we needed to get her somewhere not wheelchair accessible we literally just worked as three man team to physically lift her. My brother and my dad (and myself) are pretty fit and strong. I just assumed this was the norm to get strong dudes to move people all the time.
Stupid right?
We met Marla through twitter spaces.
Her adorable service dog Kuno caught our attention first.
However, as wonderful as Kuno is (and he is a 14/10 good boy), Marla is the real hero.
In an interview with her, she spoke about the barriers folks who are wheelchair users face.
Misconceptions and issues I was blinded too were highlighted.
It was moving to hear her speak.
Lately, Marla has been traveling around our province competing in very advanced dog agility and obedience trials.
For context, travelling with two dogs to an event of any kind is a monumental undertaking.
We took Bunsen and Beaker as special comic-con guests and we needed three people to pull it off.
Marla has travelled by herself. This involves wrangling two big dogs, treat bags, crates, and other dog stuff.
All while being in a mobility situation vastly different than mine.
How many of you just DO the thing?
You get out of your car, click up your dog and pop into a building.
What Marla has taught us is that if you are in a wheelchair, it isn’t that easy.
In fact, if a venue or location isn’t set up for accessibility it is literally closed to you.
It has made both Kris and I constantly think about accessibility everywhere we go, even without our school.
Every building I enter I think now, could Marla get into this place.
Marla competed in Red Deer and we were thrilled to speak to her again in person and meet Kuno and Chesnyy.
They are unbelievable dogs. That’s a testament to how amazing Marla is as a trainer.
If you aren’t following her, please follow @servicerotties
Her content is lighthearted and fun, but it also educates.
If you can just do the thing, think about those that can’t as easily.
Eventually, one day, due to age or injury, you won’t be able to do the thing.
Kris and I are so blessed that somehow we met @servicerotties.
Her account is one of the good ones because despite the different challenges she faces, she educates.
Thank you for inspiring us to be better.
We rarely know the ages, gender or health of a given survivor when a laboratory rescue happens. What we do know is that for obvious reasons, most people want to adopt a younger dog, but there are perks to adopting a senior or as we like to say - more mature dog. (1/3)
We took Eddie to @muttstock today at Elmwood Park Community League. Someone there mentioned he was probably named after the dog Eddie from Fraiser. I didn’t even think of that connection before. What do you think!? #yegdogs#fosterdog#adoptable#adoptdontshop
Hey fireworks time is coming.
It’s a crazy bad time for the animals in your neighbourhood.
Like REALLY bad.
Many dogs will be cowering in fear for hours from sounds they don’t understand - but it’s more than that.
Dogs HEAR better than humans. They hear all the frequencies of a firework that human ears miss. That high pitched whistle of fireworks could be shattering to a dog.
Dogs can smell the fireworks easily - and that smell will linger long after the explosion fades - ramping anxiety for hours.
Many dog owners flee neighbours that have fireworks shooting off or have to give their dog drugs to calm them down.
Some dogs have actually died of fright. Not from being so scared but from being in such terror they flee their normally safe environment and become lost or hit on highways.
Many dog owners report terrible injuries like ACL tears and ripped nails as dogs move around a home in absolute terror.
60% of dog show a marked fear of fireworks (RSPCA data).
This is a majority of all dogs.
Dogs are the best.
They are literally one of the best things on this planet.
If you love dog accounts, if you like photos and videos of them and say LOOK AT THIS DOG and and show your photo to someone, if they make you smile, if you love petting them, if they bring you joy - skip the fireworks.
Thank you.
Introducing the newest #YEGFosterBeagle Eddie! He’s 5 yrs old, super cute and a sweetheart. We think he may be a Beagle-Corgi cross. Is that a Borgi? Resistance is futile in adopting this cute guy! #yegdogs#fosterdogs#yeg#AdoptDontShop