K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: I miss you Mimi La Rue!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I miss you Mimi La Rue!

I have a confession to make. I sometimes what really stupid stuff on the television. I call it junkfood tv. You know it isn't good for you but you just can't help consuming it. One of the shows I sometimes watch, and am not sure why, is the Tori Spelling reality show. This season I think it is called Home Sweet Hollywood. (It started off as Tori and Dean Inn Love then morphed as they added two human children to the nest and sold the Inn.)
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Well I have to admit I fell in love with her pug Mimi La Rue. I'm not sure when my obsession with old pugs started but I am now completely under their spell. There is just something about them I find totally adorable. Patricia McConnell said in her book "The other end of the leash" that humans are attracted to round faces and that it has to do with a maternal instinct. I dunno. If that were true wouldn't I have found pugs cute long before we ended up with one in our family? Or is it that my age has kicked in the grandmother urge in me? (OK I'm only in my 40's but technically that qualifies me.)

Whatever it is I am a sap for them. Check out the fabulous pics of the two old gals here at Owned By Pugs named Sol and Luna. (their boys are pretty adorable to) Now I know being owned by a famous person might not be an ideal life for some dogs (do they really want to be on the red carpet?) but it does seem like she was very well loved by Tori. They even had a memorial service for her after she passed. And I admit watching the episode about her passing with the photo Dean got Tori of her made me cry. (don't tell anyone ok?)

Tori admitted that she bought her from a pet store before she knew what that really meant and Mimi had a bunch of health issues because of it. Tori did learn from her mistake though and is now a very vocal voice for the rescue group Much Love. Her two current dogs are both rescues from there.

I have to say the show isn't nearly as interesting to me without seeing sweet Mimi on it. But really, with that face, can you blame me? I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But in my perfect world all old dogs (of any breed) would have a wonderful retirement home. It is sad to think of so many old dogs that end up in shelters. I think they have earned better than that. Consider sponsoring an old dog in a shelter or rescue today. Do it in memory of a great dog you once knew. They can use our help.

1 comment:

Lauren said...: I'm a secret Tori and Dean watcher as well! I agree that it's not the same without Mimi...; July 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

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My Story

In 1992, after serving for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, I decided to settle down in my hometown in Mid-Coast Maine. I got my first dog, (as a bona-fide adult) an akita, and joined the local kennel club. I also joined akita rescue and learned alot about the breed. In turn I began helping educate others. This taught me how important training is for ALL dogs. Thus began my (unofficial) foray into the world of dog training.

I worked for a few years at a local veterinarians office and then began working at our local humane society. While there I saw many dogs being given up for simple training issues. About that time the kennel club began looking for a new trainer to teach group obedience classes. I decided I might be able to handle that challenge once I had more official training of my own.

MY TRAINING:

I found an excellent trainer to mentor with and in October of 2001 after a year of hands on training and study I completed my apprenticeship under Lloyd Williams of Bear Brook Kennels. During that apprenticeship, in addition to learning all the basics, I got to assist in the training of police dogs in narcotics, tracking and cadaver dogs with the medical examiners office.

Not only did I learn how to be a dog trainer, more importantly, I learned how to teach owners how they could communicate more effectively with their dogs. I consider that training just the beginning in my canine education. I continue to attend seminars and keep current through reading about recent advancements in dog training methods. I am a former member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

My training was sponsored by The Humane Society of Knox County and The Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine.

MY METHODS:

I use positive reinforcement methods whenever possible during training sessions. Positive reinforcement helps make the training experience more enjoyable for both the dog and owner, producing a better learning environment. I also utilize hand signals in my training which is very useful with deaf dogs as well as hearing ones. My methods include lure/reward and marker training. (with or without a clicker depending on owner preference)

MY GOALS:

My goal in training is to help pet owners develop a better relationship with their dogs. Many times that includes teaching about canine communication and behavior. I also like to help dogs stay out of the shelters and in their homes whenever possible. Training for those unruly dogs can make that a reality for some families.

MY OTHER JOBS:

I am currently the trainer for the HSKC's K-9 Corrections program. I also work as a receptionist at a local veterinary hospital.

MY FAMILY:

I am happily married and the mother of two fabulous children.

Dog Training and Behavior Seminars Attended

11-09 Self Control and Focus Games with Dee Ganley CPDT/CABC/CDBC
6-09 Dog to Dog Aggression with Patricia McConnell PhD
7-08 Debunking the Dominance Myth in Training with Jean Donaldson
6-08 PitBull Education Seminar with Drayton Michaels
3-08 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders with Dr. Nicholas Dodman
4-07 How to Talk Dog with Sarah Kalnajs
6-06 Understanding Canine Body Language with Trish King
4-06 Aggression in Dogs 2 Day Seminar with Brenda Aloff
10-05 Play with Me and Feisty Fidos with Pia Silvani CPDT,CABC
2005 Canine Communication, Meet your Match and and Intro to "Safer" Training with Emily Weiss PhD