Bruno is playing pretend that he's brave

[LizStreithorst]

Playing pretend is a good way to learn how to be it.  I know this is true from personal experience.

There have been many small steps to get my little man to where he is now.  April drove up in a golf cart to deliver a clipper that I'd loaned her and Sean to clip their Pyrenees.  God help them, they tried to do it with a clipper made for human hair.  I let them use my clipper made for sheep with dogs   My little man came out barking with his hackles up!  He wouldn't quit barking.  Anyone who knows dogs could see that he was faking it.  Apparently, either April knows dogs better than I imagined or she did exactly what I asked.  I told her that I was trying to build his confidence.  That I wanted to show him that a stranger driving up in a golf cart is not something he should be afraid of.  By the time she left he would go to her to be petted.  I could tell that it was scary for him but that it felt good and that he came out of a fearful situation stronger.

April wanted to know Bruno's story.  When I told her she said that he had hit the jackpot.  We talked a bit more and she agreed that I'd hit the jackpot with him,too..  I've had dogs all my life.  This is only the third time I've had a dog that was screwed up emotionally.  Fixing it takes a bit of dedication but the results are unbelievably rewarding.

[Mugwump]

..Bruno's in good hands....