True story.
In high school my grades were so bad I was put into a trade school. One year later I was back in regular school because I was terrible with any tool placed in my hand.
Fast forward a few years after high school and I took a job changing oil because I had no skills and needed cash – fast!
Couple of days later I’m under a car draining the oil and noticed that it seemed very clean. I filled the engine with new oil and jumped in the car to drive it off the lift.
The car wouldn’t go in gear. I tried harder and harder to get the stupid car in gear as the owner watched with a more and more annoyed look.
That’s when the guy I worked with figured out that I had drained the transmission fluid and not the oil.
When it happened, it felt like the worst day of my life. I was embarrassed and felt like a complete chump. Not to mention I was out of a job again.
BUT – a few days later I got another job and this time I was working with dogs, and this my friend was like introducing a duck to water.
A job I probably would have never gotten if I wasn’t a complete bonehead with a wrench in my hand.
Dogs and I were meant to be together and it started a long, satisfying career working with dogs. It eventually lead to opening a dog training business in Westport, MA.
Sometimes when it seems like life is handing you an excrement sandwich, it really does turn out to be the best thing that can happen to you.
Yesterday I talked to a very nice lady that was crushed that she had to find her dog a new home. She attended dog training classes in Westport MA but it wasn’t working out. It was very sad and I really felt for her, but I tried to explain to her that not every dog is meant for every owner and sometimes it is best for the dog and human to part ways.
I know this flies in the face of what many of the “experts” say, but I did convince her that she will find the right dog and they’ll both be happy.
I checked with the new family that her dog went to and so far so good. We’ll see, but I have a feeling that I’m right about this.
Anyway, if you’re struggling with your dog right now, keep positive and keep moving forward and remember that if I knew how to use a wrench there may have been (gasp!) no Amazing Dog Training Man.
All the best
Eric