Pet's Age
5

Pet’s rescue story in 500 words or less
Growing up I always had dogs and a natural affinity for them. As I got older, every apartment I lived in didn’t allow dogs. So, there was always some feeling of emptiness. I began working for NYC Sanitation at the age of 21. Although it was a good job, I knew it wasn’t my dream. The job allows you to retire after 20 years of service. As that time approached, I began to stress over what do after retirement. Any ideas that I had fell through, simply because they lacked any passion. The struggle for answers continued. So did the unrelenting need to have a dog again. Over the years, I’d ask my landlord if he would allow a dog, the answer was always “No, I’m sorry”. One day, I had an overwhelming feeling to ask again and get a “YES” or move to a place that allowed dogs. This time he responded with a “yes, if it makes you happy.” Overjoyed, the next day I went to the local shelter in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, they would euthanize dogs when it got too full. I walked the dog area several times but kept going back to one kennel. Inside, a 1-year-old female pit-bull with patches of hair missing & kennel cough. She ran over, tail-wagging every time I approached. I asked an employee to take her out for a meet. As we were talking, she put her paw up on me. It melted my heart. “I’ll take her!”. I decided to name her “Ghost” and took her home that day. I setup her new bed, crate and let her settle in. Any feeling of emptiness was instantly gone. Ghost was an owner surrender, didn’t know any commands, wasn’t house-broken, chased cats and barked at anyone bouncing balls. This was going to take work, but I was ready. With a better diet, her dull, patchy coat improved to a gleaming shine. Along with love and much needed structure, I took her out every day to play with a ball which instantly got her excited. I began teaching her commands during play sessions. She was quickly progressing, and our sessions became addictive. One day it struck me. This is what I want to do! Train Dogs! Shortly after, I trained under Anthony Jerone, and later graduated his school. On a mission, I started a business and began training. Training a lot of dogs for rescues & vet offices. I then attended Robert Cabral ‘s shelter dog training program in LA. Consistently training after work and on days off, finally, after 21 years of service for NYC, I retired, moved to Florida to begin a new chapter of helping dogs and their owners. Who knew that day in the shelter, the dog that was given up on and just days from being euthanized would become my inspiration. Ghost is not only the reason my passion for training came alive, but a testament to the beauty & loyalty of dogs. Truly, Man’s Best Friend.