My Boy Iggy
I know it’s been a while since I wrote a blog but believe it or not I really didn’t have much to say. I really don’t want to be one of these people who blogs just because they can. I rather use my blogging for a real purpose, to offer hope, inspiration and ideas on how to live with and maybe even thrive with an acquired brain injury. That being said, in this blog I want to talk about a really fun way to stay active.
I have always said that one day I would adopt either a pit bull or a boxer breed of dog as they are some of the most common breeds to get euthanized. Now that I am only be working 15 hrs per week I thought getting a dog now would be a good time as I can devote the proper time to it. So, on August 16, 2011 we adopted a pit bull/boxer cross named Iggy. And thus started a relationship that I have come to see not only (potentially) saved Iggy’s life but mine too in a round about way.
The reasons for Iggy are a little more clear, cute and easy to handle as a puppy but harder to handle as an adult. And it’s when they become an adult and they haven’t had the proper training and are harder to handle people decide to surrender the dogs. That is why so many of these breeds get surrendered and in most cases euthanized. So my goal is to train Iggy to be a well adjusted friendly loving dog and show people that with a little time and effort pit bulls and Bulldogs can be great dogs.
As for how this process can help my life, well, it keeps my brain active. It keeps me active physically so I benefit and that’s important because I have such limited activities I can now do. Training Iggy is an interaction of sorts. I don’t necessary like to be around a lot of people like I used to pre-accident. Having Iggy forces me out of my comfort zone because I have to teach him social skills. That means interacting with other dogs and their owners so it’s forcing me to be social. And of course there’s the unconditional love you get from a dog. No matter what, I can always count on Iggy to love me no matter how I feel or how I may be acting. And last but not least, there’s satisfaction as I watch Iggy grow and learn to be a well-adjusted loving dog.
Working with Iggy gives me some self worth. It’s not always easy to be home on disability, you begin to doubt your contribution to your family your friends your life in general. Having Iggy shows me I’m making a contribution. Where once I was relied on by my family they don’t rely on me the same way because they understand some of the shortcomings. Iggy relies on me all the time for almost everything and that makes me feel good. He really does help my self-esteem.
So there you have it, the joys of having a dog from the perspective of a brain injured person. If you have finally got to the place where you’re looking for self-worth, for validation I think getting a dog is a great idea. Having said that, it’s also important to note that you must also be in a place of being able to handle some responsibility. If you haven’t evolved in your rehabilitation to the place of having responsibility, being able to follow through with responsibility, than a dog is not for you at this time. Make no mistake, having a dog is a lot of work, a lot of responsibility, so so don’t take this responsibility lightly. Talk to a counselor if you have one, talk to a family member, but before you make the decision to get a dog make sure that you are in the right place in you rehab to take on the responsibility.
Until Next Time Remember,
Where there’s Hope there’s Inspiration
JustJoe
www.justjoeimage.com
glad for you Joe