#mixedpup

[tookyourphoto]

Love me some early Morning walks 💯☀️🐕💙🌳🐾 • • • • • • #DoggieWalks #PennsylvaniaParks #GratefulPup #RescueDog #MixedPup #CedarCreekPark #CedarBeachPark #AllentownParks #LehighValley #LehighValleyParks #RescueDog #AdoptDontShop (at Cedar Creek Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7ypphpKRb/?igshid=1dard2abqv4o8

[tookyourphoto]

I’ll never turn down a good Doggie Cruise 🐕😎🐾🚙 Disclaimer: Except to the Vet.🚫💉 • • • • • • • #DoggieCruise #PuppyCruise #RescueDog #MixedPup #MixedDog #AdoptDontShop #DogPortrait #InDeepThought #OrPosing https://www.instagram.com/p/B_gTPidpS0k/?igshid=14j35epvgrfh

[deejay-sanks]

Jameson’s first time at the beach 🏖 #sharpei #boerboel #mixedpup #durbanbeachfront #durban #durbantainment #deejaysanks #deejaysankssa #sadogs (at Durban, KwaZulu-Natal) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmNpCtFq57/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uu88mao7pvfr

[ochitheadventurepup-blog]

Contemplating if he should do another spastic run through the water...

[ochitheadventurepup-blog]

I’ve been hesitant to tell this story, but I think it’s important and should be told.

Ochi, initially names Smokey, was 6 months old when he and his brother were dropped off at the local open-intake shelter due to the family moving. Instantly confused and terrified, Ochi and his brother, whom I never met, became fear aggressive to the point where even a veterinarian was afraid to touch them. The first picture shown above is him the day the rescue met him, the photo speaks for itself in explaining how un-trusting he was.  They were pulled from the adoption floor, and placed in “rescue only”. The shelter tries as much as they can to work with dogs and help them adjust, but when dogs and cats flood through the front doors, less time is able to be placed on working with the dogs one-on-one. Ochi was chosen by a rescue and picked up two hours before his euthanasia time, while his brother was not so lucky. He was placed in a foster home with several other dogs while he awaited adoption.

Meanwhile, I was looking for a dog to aid me with severe anxiety and depression. I was willing to try anything to get some peace, and having grown up with animals and always gained contentment from them I became obsessed with the idea of bringing one home. Upon finding Ochi’s page on Petfinder, I instantly knew he was special. There was no information that explained his situation, but simply just looking at the picture sparked something in me that no other dog had at this point. I decided that if I couldn’t adopt this dog, I didn’t want one!

When I first met Ochi, he greeted me with the infamous Basenji scream (he’s a mix, but he didn’t miss out on those genes). Having never heard of a Basenji before, I thought that either this dog really hated me, or he was part howler monkey. So, I sat down and waited for him to come to me. He circled me closely yet just out of reach, and sniffed the air. Finally, he allowed me to pet him and a switch turned on in him it seemed. He jumped in my lap and was ALL OVER ME. He wouldn’t let me leave, or get up, and was hooked to my side for the duration of the visit. The second picture was our first time meeting. I knew at this point that I had to have him, and the foster parent agreed, saying she hadn’t seen him connect like that with anyone else.

Fast forward to the day I took him home, and I knew we had a lot of work ahead of us. Aside from the work the foster mom had the ability to do during his stay, he was unsocialized, ill-mannered, and reckless. He screamed through our entire initial visit to Petsmart, and for a split second left me thinking I had gotten in over my head. Then became the long, still unfinished process of training and socializing. Living on a college campus, EVERYONE knew him by the end of the first semester because of how social he had become.

Slowly, but surely, we overcame every hurdle that I as well as others had worried about. This fearful, noisy, wild puppy became a loving, still noisy, energetic pup who loves every second of life. I was told by many people Basenjis are “untrainable” and would never be a suitable assistance dog, however several months ago Ochi completed his Canine Good Citizen, and will start Therapy Dog school in the fall. The final picture was his graduation. He, regardless of myself, is and has always been determined to rise above his circumstances and show love and trust, even when people hadn’t given him any reason to at first.

Most importantly, Ochi has saved my life on multiple occasions. Whether it be sitting on my stomach and licking my face during a panic attack to calm me down, or just coexisting with me on a day when I couldn’t get out of bed, he has increased my quality of life, and MY ability to overcome my circumstances as well. The amazing ability of a dog to be the best friend imaginable, without ever having to share a word with you, is something we still have yet to understand and fully appreciate.

I could add so many pictures to this post of times when Ochi showed me love that I still will never deserve, but I don’t think I will ever be able to fully get the point across of how much he has done. This small, 22-pound fuzz ball, has more love, more courage, more heart, than many people will have in a lifetime. Mental health is still such an overlooked subject, and many people feel the need to hide it and bottle it up as I did. For four years, I was told that I was “just tired”, or “everyone has bad days, it’s no big deal”. I am here to tell you that you are NOT always tired, and it IS a big deal. There are many people going through something similar to you, and together we can create a network of comfort and help. I was so lucky to have Ochi during some dark times, and while not everyone can have a dog or a pet, I feel it’s important to tell you that myself, along with many others I am sure, are more than happy to be an anonymous friend to vent to, or a place of safety and understanding.

I chose Ochi’s name because of the origin of Basenjis, the Republic of Congo. Ochi, is Swahili for laughter.

[ochitheadventurepup-blog]

Post walk naps-I’m afraid to move my leg.

[tw1st3ds0ul]

Gah, I love my puppy so much ♡

[bpd-manicqueen]

#peanutbutterpuppy #Lana #lassiecollie #australianshepard #mastiff #mixedpup (at Mercer, Missouri)