A partnership between two souls, joined for a reason, a season and a lifeltime
Happy Anniversary Amazing Annie, these last two years have been the best in my life, and it’s all thanks to you!!
Two years ago, on January 12th 2009, “Amazing Annie” stepped into my car and into my life. It was in that moment, that I knew we were going to be best friends forever and some amazing times were going to be shared!
Today I wanted to reflect back on those last two years and give thanks for those times we have shared. There is a video at the end of this text, a collection of some of our most treasured moments together so far and a way to say Thank-you, you are amazing and I love you just the way you are!
It was not just dear sweet Annie that needed help, I did too! We both agreed on a mutual partnership right from the very beginning.
It had been Twenty years since I had last had a dog and I felt it was now the right time I bought one into my life again.
For anyone that knows the story about my last dog, Jake, you will know why this was such a hurdle for me to climb. I felt it was time to let go of the past and embrace my future with both hands.
I didn’t want any old dog though, I wanted a dog that would help me to learn more, grow some more and to teach me new things about myself and how dogs are kept and treated in today’s society.
On my amazing journey to become The UK Dog Whisperer, I had spent many years studying and volunteering in rescue shelters around the world. It was in these rescue shelters, that I had met some of the most traumatised dogs you could possibly imagine. You will always hear me say, that whilst the written information on dog psychology I was studying, had its place and importance, it was the time I spent sitting for hours on end with these dogs that taught me the most about the canine and human species and how they are evolving in today’s world.
I can remember every single dog I have ever come into contact with in my lifetime, but more importantly, I can remember every single lesson each dog has taught me.
With the experience and skills that I had learnt over the last 8 years in dog psychology and animal communication, I knew I wanted a dog that needed help, one with psychological and health problems. I wanted to test my skills and see if I could turn a dog like this around and help it to heal, gain true balance and live life to the full.
It was on a cold January day when I wrote a letter to all the local rescue homes in the area, explaining that I was a dog psychologist and that I was looking to foster and rehabilitate problems dogs so they could find new homes.
I asked the rescues shelters to give me their “worst case”, a dog that they had in their care which was having real problems finding a home. I wanted a dog that had been in kennels for a long period of time and so desperately needed to see the outside world. I wanted to free one of these dog’s spirit, let it come out from behind the bars and reach its full potential and lead a full and happy life.
I was completely open to what the universe would send my way, I trusted with my heart that the right dog would come forward for me. I knew I would attract a dog that reflected some of my own self doubts and fears. I knew which ever dog came to me would come with lessons and teachings of its own.
I emailed the letter to all the dog’s homes that morning and felt really excited about what dog might come along.
A new dog was coming into my life and I knew my life would be about to be changed in a magical way.
I didn’t have to wait long at all, almost immediately I received a phone call from the Retired Grey Hound Trust (RGT) which was located two miles down the road from me.
A lady on the other end of the phone sounded so very excited and started to tell me about how they were only wishing this very morning that a behaviourist would come and look at one of the Ex Racing dogs called Annie. She explained how they did not know what to do with her and was running out of options. She said ” You are an answer to our prayers! “
In that moment I knew The Secret and law of attraction was at work and this was meant to be.
She begun to tell me about Annie’s background and explained how Annie was an Ex Racing Greyhound who was being retired from racing due to an ankle injury and was looking to be transferred into the RGT to prepare her to find a forever home.
She explained how they couldn’t take her into the RGT fully as she was being aggressive towards people who entered her kennel. They described her as having “dog fear based aggression” and explained it was proving to be very difficult to find Annie a home whilst she continued to display aggressive outbursts.
They asked if I would come and meet her and see what my opinion was, so I jumped in my car and headed down to her racing kennels.
My first sighting of Annie was when one of the kennel girls bought her out of her kennel to me.
This girl had been in her battles but was a survivor!
Here was this slender black dog, her head hung low and nerves quivering, her face was covered in scars, her coat was dull and flaky and her eyes were bloodshot red. I could see instantly past all of this though and could tell that she had something special about her, something wanting to come out and wanting to be expressed.
I took the lead from the girl’s hand and gentle whispered to Annie, ”Come on girl, let’s go for a walk and let’s get to know each other.”
Annie came with me, I looked at her and in that moment knew I wanted to help her. I felt a real energy about this dog and I could feel my heart opening.
Two days later I went to pick up Annie to bring her home, I remember the day well, it was a very deep snowy and cold January day. She climbed into my car nervously and we drove off the Wasley Hills for a walk and bonding session.
As I trudged up the snowy hill in my wellies, the bitter freezing wind was biting at my face and my knee was really hurting. It was an old injury that seemed to get worse on cold days, but the pain was very intense on that day for some reason. I looked down at Annie with her pink coat on, she didn’t look to happy with the situation either, so I abandoned plans for a walk to bond with her and said “Come on let’s go sit in the nice warm car!” Annie seemed to have a spring in her step on the way back to the car but as I looked down at her, I noticed the bright pink muzzle that was attached around her face.
All racing dogs come with muzzles, it is so that if they get into a fight with each other, the trainer will not have any injured dogs that he cannot race and will ultimately lose money on. I looked down at her and thought “It’s pink, but it’s not pretty, and how on earth are you going to grow in confidence with that thing attached to your face?” I thought this animal has been caged up enough of her life and it was time to start setting her free, I wanted to begin to set her spirit free.
I gently removed the muzzle and said “You won’t need this anymore girl, you have got me now to defend and protect you!” As I took off the pink muzzle, I could feel a sense of relief come from Annie, I could feel a sense of freedom and I felt her say “Thank you!”
“It’s you and me from now on and I am going to help you get better.” I said as I put Annie into the back seat of my Black Toyota Celica. I remember thinking that Annie looked good in this car!! :0)
I turned on the warm air heater in the car and put some nice chill out tunes on the car stereo. Annie was on the back seat and we just spent time together listening to the music and getting to know each other. We started to bond and connect in that time in the car, I could feel her energy emerging into mine and we were starting to become one.
I heard Annie say “Thank-you” and in that moment my heart melted and tears strolled down my face, it had been Twenty or so years since I last was responsible for a dog. Memories of Jake flooded into my mind.
“I promise you, I will do my very best for you Annie” I said as I wiped my tears away.
They were tears of happiness, joy, sadness, and relief all rolled into one. I knew at that moment Annie was here to help me heal too. Our partnership started in that moment and has continued to grow in strength every day since. I knew this was going to be an amazing journey and I felt so thankful and so grateful that I had never given up hope or given up on my dreams.
I got to work on Annie’s fear based aggression straight away; it took a change of diet and months of consistent Dog Training and
Canine Behaviour Therapy to help Annie with her fears and nerves. It took a lot of dedication from both of us.
Annie responded well to me gently "whispering" in her ear
We worked as a team, like I said she helped me as much as I helped her. She taught me so many lessons, she introduced me to
Raw Feeding For Dogs and she helped me too see the amazing benefits of feeding your dog this way. She taught me about nervous and aggressive behaviour in dogs, and which natural treatments and methods had the best success.
As I taught Annie to show her confidence and remove her fears, so I grew in confidence and my fears melted away too. We worked hard at achieving a balanced state of mind and a balanced reaction to life but more and more people were commenting on how much of a change they could see in both Annie and myself.
Everything I gave to Annie, she reflected back at me.
The more I became calm, the more Annie did, she was like my mirror, I would only have to look deep into her eyes to see how I was really feeling. She would reflect right back what ever was going on deep in my subconscious mind, hell Annie knows me better than I know myself. She even knew a week before I found out I was pregnant and she instinctively knew when I had lost my baby and had a miscarriage too. She was my rock through those times and helped me through my tears and grief.
Annie has sure helped me through some times and in return I have helped her through some times. I have taught her many lessons about how to behave nicely in the human world and Annie has taught me many lessons about what dogs really need in today’s society. She also taught me alot about myself.
I think one of the biggest lessons Annie has taught me is about commitment in a relationship, something that had seemed to elude me before. I had been working for Ten months with Annie and up until this point had just been fostering her with the view to rehabilitate her ready to find her a forever home, somewhere where she would feel safe and loved and someone who would understand her needs. The RGT asked me what I wanted to do with Annie?
Was she ready to find a permanent home with me or with someone else?
I looked into Annie’s eyes and asked her “What do you want to do girl?” Do you want to stay or do you want to go?
Annie’s big brown eyes sparkled back at me and she replied “Look into your heart Nikki, the answer lies there!”
I knew the answer already, I wanted Annie to stay, I knew our bond was too deep and we had formed a solid friendship and trustful relationship like I had never had before. We had shared some amazing times together and I knew there were even more to come. I felt gratitude, love, joy and happiness when I was around Annie and I know that’s how she felt too.
I will never forget the day I signed Annie’s formal adoption papers, the staff at the RGT were delighted and overjoyed at the news that Annie had at last found her forever home.
The journey Annie and I have taken together has been full of amazing experiences, some that have made us laugh until our sides split, some that have made us cry, some that have pushed us to the limit and beyond and some that have moved us deeply.
Annie is my partner, she is my best friend, and I think she is beautiful, amazing and wonderful. She truly is a gift that I treasure every day and wanted to say Happy Anniversary Annie!
Annie you’re amazing just the way you are…. and I love you more than words can say.
May our journey take us to some more amazing places and may we continue to grow, learn, love, trust and respect each other just as we are.
My video below is a collection of some of those wonderful moments in time we have spent together, please enjoy !
Nikki Brown
The UK Dog Whisperer
Comments on: "The Secret To A Strong & Lasting Relationship With Your Dog" (7)
Thank you for sharing the amazing story of you and Annie
It had me in tears too.
Thank you and your relationship inspires me to have a better relationship with Mika too.
Annie is soooo beautiful and I only realise now how tall she is.
Thank You Madenia for reading my story about Annie and glad it has inspired you to think about your relationship with Mika. We both share a story about loss last year and I know Mika would have been your rock throughout it too :0) Wishing you both love and light. Nikki xxx And Annie xxxx
Great post Nikki,
You have an incredible skill, I’ve never heard of anyone capable of tuning into a canine so comprehensively as well as you can, other than the world renowned Barbara Woodhouse.
A person once told me that when choosing a pet, the one that comes and sits on your lap is the one to choose. you have obviously taken this to a whole new level…x
Thanks David for your post, Lol I remember watching Barbara woodhouse when I was little… Thought she was nuts but she pioneered dog training on TV so fair play to her for setting the way for the future generations to come forward.
Dogs do choose you.. I completely agree with that. :0)
Wonderful post Nikki – it reminded me of my own experiences over the past 3 years when my former partner announced she was leaving for good.
I have two 5 year old Black Cocker Spaniels, Monty and Maisy, and we were then suddenly on our own, just a few days before Christmas but how would we cope? – how would I look after them properly? – I had to go out to work, sometimes long distance and the thought of leaving them in the house all day was too much. How would I manage, how would I be able to work and pay the mortgage? It was the winter of 2007 and we were to enjoy many walks over Kinver edge during the first few months of 2008. It was cold and frosty, they were enjoying the early morning frolics, but I needed to work, I needed to earn money to feed us all.
) and I was overjoyed and began planning how we would get through our challenges together.
) x
As the months passed by I began to feel more and more anxious about their welfare and that their lives perhaps would be better if I could find a loving home for them to enjoy the freedom, the excitement, the fresh air each and every day… A colleague suggested I should surf the internet where I soon found a site that allowed me to advertise for new foster parents! Within a few days, I had found a suitable match and it was time to arrange matters and a date for them to take their new permanent vacation. I was being brave, very brave; trying not to think too much about how, deep down inside these two amazing, warm, loving incredible super intelligent creatures meant to me. I was their pack leader after all, I had to be brave – So the following day, I practised my words ready for phoning back the potential new owners. I had to contain my fears, my sadness, my guilt. I was doing this for them… I had to do it for them. It was not their fault that they were in this situation. That night before I was due to call back the prospective new owners, I sat in my chair and became aware that M&M had snuggled up closer than they had ever done before. I continued to watch Newsnight and try to cover my emotions but I couldn’t and they wouldn’t let me. Suddenly, like a torrent, the emotional floodgates opened – I couldn’t do it, they didn’t want me to do it, we were going to make it through come what may! For 10 minutes I howled like a baby, my heart was pounding, hurting, deep, real deep inside. After the emotional tide had receded, I looked at them – they looked different. They had smiles on their faces.. yes, dogs DO smile…..
And together we have. We are a TEAM..
Now 3 years on, I have settled with my wonderful new partner Barbara who herself, had always feared dogs, but M&M are special, a brother and sister team like no other and so they got to work on her straight away. Result? you try and part them – they have chosen well just like their Master!
They now have a new, warm and loving home with plenty of space to exercise. Life’s great..no its fantastic, brilliant, wonderful – never a dull day with M&M around..
Looking back, I realise how we bonded that night for good and their friendship and unconditional love continues in abundance to this day.
Thanks Guys – we are inseparable..
Ahh Grahame what a lovely reply to my post, and what an amazing tale to share, I am so glad you listened to to your heart and to M&M, You all made the right choice and are living proof of that today. To have gone through the loss of your relationship with your significant other and then to have to face loosing your bond with your best friends would have been too much for you to bear. They taught you about what commitment really means and it led you onto find love again. A better and deeper love with your new partner. I feel the close bond you all have as a team and partnership, and it’s wonderful to see and read about. Dog are truly man’s best friend :0)
Love and licks to your team :0) xx
Thanks Nikki for allowing me the opportunity to tell my short story – Absolutely Mans best friend, there is no better tonic to pick you up on what may seem like a bad day starting or finishing…just grab the leads and get out there.. I don’t know how to explain it but hey once you’ve experienced it there is no going back. All you have to do is share it..
) You’re doing a great job and I wish you every success with CA. xx