My Dog Changed My Life

2/23/2022

My Dog Changed My Life

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Have you had that dog that changed your life? Don’t get me wrong, I love each and everyone of my dogs, but there is something about that special one that can connect with you on a level that no one can understand. My 10 1/2 year-old mastiff trigger, he’s that one. Tell me about your dog that was “the one”, because I want tell you about this amazing dog, Trigger, too. I hope this story can resonate with you, and show how and why I got into dog training, and how the bond between man and dog can be so important.

When I was 18 I moved out to Chicago to follow my dreams of playing hockey. I was actually a pretty good athlete back in the day (when I used to be in shape believe it or not) and I thought that was my life path. College athletics, and who knows after that. Unfortunately at the time, God had a different plan. I suffered some pretty bad brain injuries when I was in Chicago that ended any chance of playing hockey again, and suffered severe symptoms for a few years. These symptoms led me down a terrible path of crippling anxiety, binge eating, depression, 22 different prescription medications, and a very lost kid. After a year, and trying everything under the sun, my parents thought it would be helpful we got a puppy, with the stipulation that I learn how to train dog’s from my Uncle Andy, who trained dog’s earlier in his life. It took me all one day to become fascinated with the world of dog training, I was hooked. I would have daily, hour long conversations with my Uncle, (still do to this day) and watch my idol at the time Cesar Milan about 5 hours a day. After doing my homework on what breed I felt would be best, having a mentor to guide me, and ready to fully commit to a puppy, I picked up my boy Trigger. This saved my fucking life.

You want to know what happens when you give a human purpose? The same thing that happens when you give a dog a purpose. They thrive, they become more confident, less stressed, and that 19 year old boy started to smile again, started to make jokes again, started to enjoy life again, all because of the love of his dog. I hate writing about him sometimes, because every time I do I cry my eyes out, and now this is embarrassing because I’m crying on a plane to Miami. Trigger taught me so much about life, giving 2nd chances, what it means to truly love someone, the importance of patience and calm teaching, I could go on for weeks. What he really taught me, is that a dog is so much more than a dog. Trigger has been with me every step of my life, and watching him grow old has been an absolutely blessing. He’s the coolest old dog in the world, (I can’t stop crying again Jesus). That is what I mean when I say “the one”. A connection that cannot be explained, cannot be understood by those who have never experienced it. I’m so blessed in this life, and thankful for Trigger and everything he has helped me achieve. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. Thank you baby boy.

Tell me about the dog that changed your life.

Side note:
If you ever get the chance to catch my videos from 10 years ago of me training Trigger on my facebook page, you should watch them.

8 Comments

Jody Vrieze

2/23/2022 09:09:33 am

Amazing story. Dogs are amazing creatures.

Sabrina pasparage

2/23/2022 09:45:46 am

When I lost my first pomeranian cinnamon I was devastated and depressed. She was attacked by a large dog and died in my arms that day. She was my everything, my constant companion and my rock. I was on my way to becoming a doctor and when this happened my whole world crumbled. I lost sight of my purpose and didn't care about finishing school. I developed panic attacks and anxiety. I didn't want to leave the house.

3 years later after struggling immensely I found Bean, a chocolate pomeranian. He has the same soulful eyes that cinnamon had and followed me everywhere. We bonded instantly. I saw so much of her in him and my heart began to heal. I found that the loss of my best friend shook my world because I relied on her love so much that I was lost without her. Today, bean and I are inseparable. When I sit to watch TV he has to be touching me. When I leave for work he carries around my slipper. My heart has never felt fuller than when I spend time with him. He is my grace. Today, I am finishing my doctorate today and have only a month left of school. I still have anxiety but when he comes over for a hug that melts away. The world goes in the background and I can see a light at the end of my tunnel.

I always joke that cinnamon saved my life 13 years ago when she got help after I accidently overdosed on my medication. Today, I know she saved my life but bean has saved my life in other ways. He brought light back where there was only darkness. I am so grateful to have the experience of having a best friend and soul mate. Nothing in life can bring you down when you have that one by your side that never leaves.

Dana

2/23/2022 11:27:09 am

My first dog died in early 2018 at age 12 after her legs stopped working. I loved her but felt a dog didn’t fit in with my busy schedule.. six months later I was killing time waiting for an appointment and explored the dogs up for adoption at the local pet store. I knew I didn’t want a dog. I wasn’t looking for a dog. But one dog kept calling to my heart. Over the next three hours I went back three times and ultimately took Luna home (chocolate Lab/Pitt Mix). Luna was immediately loved.. Two months later she helped the whole family get through the suicide death of my husband. She had behavioral issues and we dedicated ourselves to helping her in return. She is an incredibly intuitive dog and you will find her cuddled up with whomever needs her the most.

Natalie

2/23/2022 11:50:39 am

I have that dog too, his name is Daniel. Daniel came into my life when I was in the deepest pits of depression. I felt utterly alone, and wanted it all to end. This beautiful puppy was given to me at exactly the right moment and brought purpose back into my life. I was only 17 and he was only a couple months old, so we had to figure out life together, and it has been an absolute honor to watch him grow into the old man he is today. I wish every single day that he would live forever. He's not perfect, and neither am I, but we have loved each other unconditionally, and he has taught me more that I could have ever imagined. Got to go because now I am also embarrassingly crying. Thanks for sharing your story and letting us share ours.

Nikki

2/23/2022 07:32:32 pm

We lost brandon in the summer of 2021. Needless to say, our kids were devastated, especially our 7year old son. His dad and him had a special connection. One I can’t explain but I imagine it’s that father/son bond. The months that followed were full of sadness, and every week a new note to god would appear from our son. The letters were stated to god to give to daddy and a letter to daddy would follow. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to read how bad my son yearned to still talk to his dad. Even more sad when he would cry that he’s not writing back. I didn’t know what I could do… or what I should do. So the story of Nunzio began. Nunzio means messenger in Italian (his fathers heritage). The so story goes that nunzio had been sent by daddy. Our kids could talk to him, tell him about their day, their fears, their worries… but more importantly their love. And nunzio would be the messenger. And daddy would send cuddles and kisses(although way more slobbery) on back through him as well. So although he’s not my “one”, I know he is to our children. The smiles and laughter he has brought back into our home are priceless. As they say, the best therapist has fur and four legs.

Megan

2/27/2022 11:45:39 am

Each dog that has been in my life has been special and brought something unique to our shared experience, but the most recent two have had a particularly powerful impact.

A male german shepherd my family had was one of the reasons why I would choose to return home on the weekends in college. College was a terrible and disorienting place for me at the time and I looked forward to coming home and seeing that GSD waiting for me. He helped me decompress and smile again. When I finally graduated and was traveling around the country for work, he was always still waiting for me to come home. He tended to favor my dad so he wasn’t ‘truly’ mine, but that didn’t matter. We bonded more heavily when he developed degenerative myelopathy at age 8. I spent the last year of his life caring for him day in and day out after quitting my job. He gave so much to me over the years when I was at some pretty gnarly lows myself, it seemed only fair to return that loyalty and compassion tenfold in his final days.

Currently, a female GSD has become part of our family, but at the hands of my brother and sister-in-law, not my parents. It has been our first female and I have been enjoying the different personality from our male dominated past. Everyday I look forward to spending time with her and working with her while I, ”figure things out for myself.” She knows my quirks and I know hers. I have bonded with her in a more profound way that took me by surprise. It’s incredible. As with the previous dogs in my life, I know our time is limited and will come to an end some day. She has taught me to be more present and to have more patience!

People are great, but I’ve always preferred the company of dogs to people. Their unconditional love and loyalty is unparalleled, and I truly feel sorry for people that will never experience it.

Lisa

2/28/2022 04:01:33 pm

I had a dog growing up, but he was "the family dog". Although I loved him, I realized later in life he wasn't truly "the one". "The one" came into my life the year before I got married. A beautiful golden retriever that I named Reina (which means "queen" in Spanish). And a queen she was. She was a special dog and everyone that met her knew it. She loved people to the point of embarrassment. But hey, dogs just show their heart without worrying how they look (that's why they are so awesome). I had a good run with Reina. She lived until she was 12 1/2 years old. We had taken her in for surgery (to remove some lumps and bumps) and found out that she had cancer and didn't have much time to live. I was devastated. I called my manager and asked for a 30 day leave of absence, which he granted. In that time, I spent every single day with my beautiful dog, taking her to all of her favorite places and just loving her all I could. Of course, I never wanted to let her go, but I knew it was time. It wasn't fair to keep her any longer. The day we let her go we had someone come to our home, we gave her a breakfast of steak, took her to her favorite spot on the patio and gave her a doggie ice cream. She enjoyed her ice cream while she slipped away from us. It was one of the hardest days of my life. She will always be with me in my heart. She was my best girl.

3/18/2022 09:21:23 pm

Hey Vinnie and everyone,
Thanks for sharing your story,
I have had so many dogs growing up, mostly boxers, until I got my Cocker Spaniel, Elliot.
This dog was my soul dog and his sudden passing still brings me to tears 6 years later.
He was the kind of dog that you could take anywhere and would just be so easy to have around, he had no behavioural issues aside from being a spaniel and his recall was on occasion average, if you got out of sight though the little bugger would come flying back. He was this way purely due to his temperament, and nothing to do with the way I treated/trained him.
All my other dogs have since lived in his shadow.
I do need to mention my current dog though. Gus my reactive, highly prey driven, Staffy Mix, who has been the catalyst to me pursuing a career in dog training. It's because of him I am in this thread and sharing this story, it's because of him I have inspired my friends and family to do more with their dogs, and expect more from them. They are following the people they suggest and are raising a generation of dogs who are just like Elliot, but better!

Thanks for all you do Vinnie, thanks to everyone who has shared their story.
Now go train your dog!!!!!
lis

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My Dog Changed My Life

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