[bigpawsup]

I’m a 40 year old Chicago girl, transplanted to NW Indiana. I normally go by Kitty, but do use my given name (Cathy) professionally. I have a teenage son with mild autism. I am married to my second husband, who is the love of my life and my soul mate.

We have two beautiful rescue dogs, both big black “lab” mixes – although I have not had the money to get them DNA tested yet. Gypsy is my “big girl”; she just turned 6 and weighs 115 lbs. Tazzy (Tasmania) is the “puppy”, 2 years old, 60 lbs., and full of energy.

I have spent my life around dogs. I think the longest I have ever lived without a dog is 6 months. I started working with my dad’s Brittany's when I was young. I also have always enjoyed working with dogs and owners. I have recently taken the plunge into “professional training” at the urging of family and friends – we’ll see how it goes.

I know tons of people “with dogs”, but very few “dog people”. I’m hoping to make some friends in the latter category.

I’m a very open, honest, and direct person (hubby would say blunt). These are qualities I find very important, always present in dogs – sometimes lacking in our human friends. I try to keep an open mind about most things. If you want to know something else – Just ask!

Warmest Wags!

[dogs rule]

I'm sure you'll find lots of "dog people" here.
There are also alot of open, honest and direct people here as well, with many helpful tips.
Are you already a professional dog trainer or are you just learning to be one?

Have fun here.

[bigpawsup]

I put the whole professional in quotes because everyone seems to have their own standard. I've been training friends and neighbor's dogs for years, sometimes for fun sometimes as barter and trade.

I don't have a website as I have no idea how to do one (I'm hoping to barter one out of a friend of mine who just bought a house and wants a puppy)

I started moving outside the circle for friends in June and have had my first few "paying" clients. They've all (ok 6 people) have seemed happy and the dogs were doing well. They know the basics and work with their dogs - both bonuses as far as I'm concerned.

I guess in a dream world, I could quit the j-o-b and work with dogs full time. but then the alarm goes off and . . .

[CorkyMax]

Hey! You sound like my kind of 'people!' Hope you like this forum. Bet you have a lot of 'tails' to tell.

Wow, that Gypsy is a big girl---Do you think she is mixed with a bigger breed?
Or is she overweight---My 12+ Cocker is overweight--I give up trying to get his weight down!

[bigpawsup]

Originally Posted by CorkyMax

Hey! You sound like my kind of 'people!' Hope you like this forum. Bet you have a lot of 'tails' to tell.

Wow, that Gypsy is a big girl---Do you think she is mixed with a bigger breed?
Or is she overweight---My 12+ Cocker is overweight--I give up trying to get his weight down!

Thanks for the welcome! I've been seeing some things here I really like so far and people don't seem overly judgmental. That's cool.

Gypsy is mixed with something - we have no clue. Vet wants her around 105-110. She doesn't look nearly as big as she is. The scale is always a surprise to everyone around.

[Lunareclipse]

Hello. Nice to meet another "blunt" person. Although I do get called offensive frequently. But only by those people who really shouldn't own a dog in the first place. I'm sure you will fit right in here.

[reeskujo]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Hello. Nice to meet another "blunt" person. Although I do get called offensive frequently. But only by those people who really shouldn't own a dog in the first place. I'm sure you will fit right in here.

I agree with Luna!!..You'll fit right in here...There are quite a few of us "blunt" people here..Especially when it comes to people wanting information on how to become "backyard breeders"...That's when a lot of our bluntness comes out lol..

Anyway, welcome to the family and I hope you enjoy the forum!