I would introduce myself on here since im only interested in the dog part of the forum =] Dont get me wrong i do love all animals but mainly dogs!

I'm Susan..from Edinburgh! im 21. I had a red border collie called Jasper who sadly passed away in May. I could happily talk about him all day long. He was one in a million. If you want me to tell you about his story i could post it in the next thread?? Its quite long but worth reading.

Anyway i work in a shop which is ok but my passion is to work with dogs! I've always wanted to do this but a few things are stopping me like not being able to drive and the lack of courses at college's to study things in Canine Behaviour and Pyschology.. Its all open learning which im not to keen on. But still i have hope! lol

Are any of you guys involved in working with dogs?? If so i would love to hear about it

Hi Susan and welcome to the forum. I would love to hear Jaspers story and so sorry for your loss. x

__________________
Heres my website, take a look.www.freewebs.com/shellies-shihtzu

hello =] thanks. Nothing prepared me for losing Jasper. I wrote this about him a wee while back when he was still alive. Its about his life and what he's been through. I think off all the good times we had .




I remember the first time i set eyes on my dog, Jasper, he jumped up on the kitchen door poking his cheeky face through the window to see who i was. My dad had already warned us that because he had a rough past he was a very timid dog and we had to be as quiet as possible.
My mum, my two sisters and myself had just arrived back from holiday. While we were away it turns out my dad got my dog as a suprise for us. My family has always been fond of dogs, me and my sisters would usually walk the local dogs in our area.
I think when Jasper saw all of us he was a bit shocked. He had been brought up to believe people were there to hurt him, he didnt know any different. He ran into the livingroom and sat near his bed. We knelt beside him and carefully clapped him while we discussed a name for him. Originally his name was Craigie but we decided to change it as we didnt want him to have anything to do with his old, horrible way of life. In the end we all agreed on Jasper =].
While we left him to have some time to himself and settle in my dad told us about Jaspers past.
Turns out Jasper was beaten on a daily basis with a couple who had children. Im not going to go into too much detail as its painful for me to think that people could actually do this to any animal. He has scars above his eyes and on his elbows. The neighbour that reported those scumbags for badly treating Jasper, saved his life. A week or two longer than Jasper would have died from starvation. He was found locked in a shed.
Before we got Jasper he had already been taken in by several people, lots of people were keen to have him as he is quite a rare breed (Red Border Collie). He has also been used as a stud before. Sooner or later though Jasper would end up back in the kennels because he was so timid people didnt have the patience for a dog that would hide in a corner all day.
Thats when i think we all thought the same thing – Were never going to give up on him.
I guess at first it was quite hard. The smallest thing would send Jasper hiding under the computer table and he would stay there all day, worrying. If we could ever get Jasper out the front door he would scratch his way out of his collar so he could run away home and hide, he would pull hard on his lead trying to get away. If he saw a ball being bounced or kicked by anyone he would be absolutely petrified. It reminded him of his past when the children would kick footballs at him – for fun, which has left him with not many teeth.
The only way Jasper was going to get better is if he could face his fear. So after a good few months of allowing Jasper to get used to us we would take him in the garden and tie him up to a pole on a long lead. He hated being outside, but sometimes it is cruel to be kind. What kind of a life is it for a dog to stay indoors quivering in the corner all day? We made sure we were always out there with him. I guess very slowly we introduced footballs, we would just place one on the grass. If he saw us with one though he would still, understandably, be petrified. This went on for a few years. I remember one time i raised my hand near him, I think it might have been to put on his collar, i really cant remember, but he cowered out the way and i couldnt believe he thought i would actually hit him.
We dont know Jaspers real age but the vets made a guess of him being around about 2 years old when we got him. He’s now 11. We have had him 9 years now and he is the best thing to have ever entered my life.
When i look back and remember how Jasper used to be and what he is like now, i cant believe how far he has come. With patience, care and love Jasper has learned to trust humans again. I am so proud of how brave he is. It took years but he can walk by children playing football. He always loves to greet us when we come home from somewhere and im just so happy we have given him a happy life that all dogs out there should have. He’s one happy chappy. Oh and his favourite thing in life?? Well its going for walks ofcourse

hi susan.....awww what a sad story with a lovely ending ....... sounds like jasper met his soulmates in the end

Aww that is such a shame
how could people treat a dog like that
glad he found happiness eventually

that's a lovely story. I have a blue merle border collie and the idea of anyone being cruel to him brings tears to my eyes. Lucky Jasper that he found you.

Hi

What a lovely story. Being a new dog owner myself I hope to have as many happy years with mine as you did with jasper.

aww thanks guys its the happy times with Jasper that keeps me going!

A blue merle border collie? I've never heard of that breed before. Think i will google image it lol

what a lovely story glad he found a lovely place in the end

__________________
Stryder the Utonagan


www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

http://www.nuadalseurope.co.uk/

Susan - what a moving story! I have two border collies - both blues - and the thought of anyone treating them like your poor Jasper was treated makes my blood run cold. Well done you and your family for showing him the way to happiness!