... picking up with Jango's story from the MEET KIM section...
Jango's early puppyhood went smoothly and he was amazing. He had lots of friends both human and canine. He was grounded, hilarious, and he was confident. He passed his training classes, earned a trick title, represented our rescue at events, and he earned his canine good citizen.
Around 7 months old he became very ill, and he lost 10 pounds (this is BAD for a puppy who is to be gaining weight as he grows). He was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, but at this time we didn't understand the catalyst. While we kept the pancreas under control with nutrition, he was still sick often. At 20 months old, he became angry, reactive, and uncontrollable. He could not be around people or dogs any longer. Thinking it was a training issue, we went from trainer to trainer, even working through reactive dog class.
Nothing worked, and I felt like a failure. We stopped our life, and Jango rarely left our property. I continued my research, and we went back to our vet. I am grateful every day that she saw what was happening. She recognized that the catalyst was a rabies vaccine reaction. The timing fit perfectly with his injection to illness at 7 months old and his injection to personality shift at 20 months old. After his second injection, our life changed. I began to study. A lot. Nutrition and homeopathy. Training vs. partnership. Course after course after course. My mission was to fix him. I blamed myself. I blamed the vaccine, and I spent much of my days frustrated and angry at myself for "ruining my dog".
The Reflection
During this same time period, I was incredibly unwell. I had no life force and no clue how to change. I "tried everything". Focusing on fixing Jango gave me a purpose. One day while in the rabbit hole of research on how to fix my broken dog, I found a clinic to support me. DING! That feeling! It felt so right that I instantly took 2-weeks off to go to another state for treatment. This single choice and experience is a dynamic catalyst to my life and Jango's life changing in ways I never dreamed possible. Can you tell the universe is gonna step in again? This time it's a doozy!
I felt like the Grinch after I returned from the clinic. My heart opened and grew 3 sizes it seemed. Doors opened and before I knew it we were working with a dog's partnership coach to shift the relationship Jango and I had from command and obey to a mutually inclusive and respectful partnership.
A holistic approach to life with our animals became a hobby. My mind was insatiable suddenly to the world of animal behavior and relationships. The list of courses was growing by leaps and bounds including behavior, body language, and Functional Character. Then Partnership Coaching Certification, Botanical Self-Healing Certification, Reiki Healing Certification, and an animal communication mentorship. I was a sponge for more and more information and more and more courses. Hmmm, this may no longer be a hobby... I made the decision to leave my tech career in a single moment, driving the short distance from the gym back to work. I walked straight in to the boss' office and declared my intention to retire
Raidho Canine's evolution continues as I began to realize how human emotions played into our animals' emotions and behavior. This is so clear every time I communicate with the animals.
Time for more studies, LoL - Carl Jung and other human psychology, Caroline Myss' Archetypes, and human mindset. I continue to learn every day alongside my role of guiding clients and their animals as they discover a deeper and more meaningful relationship, confidence, and their own incredible inner strength.
As I have ruminated on the why of not realizing this passion sooner in my life, I now know that I was meant for two vastly different careers. I have needed each one exactly as it transpired to lead me to this moment in time.
I am thrilled today that Jango and I have an incredible relationship. He is affectionate and loving, and he chooses to spend most of his days at work with my husband receiving treats and love from his friends there. He is healthy and happy. Our life together is different than my original dreams, and it is a beautiful life. It is our life.
I welcome each of you with humble gratitude to Raidho Canine.