Today enroute to civilization for the purposes of buying groceries, I came upon a Holler neighbor who I have seen many times walking his dogs, but have never met. So today I decided to stop for a quick chat that ended up lasting about 30 minutes. That is a normal-length quick chat in Holler time.
Anyhoo, I was curious about this neighbor because I noticed that he always is walking with multiple pit-bulls and I suspected he was rescuing them. My daughter rescued and fostered a 5 week old dying, abandoned, pit bull puppy named Penelope, who is now a happy sweet dog with a loving family. I have a fondness for the maligned breed and a firm disgust with people who train them to fight or be aggressive. I admire anyone who rescues animals and besides all this, I have an enquiring mind that wants to know, and as you well know, insatiable curiosity about all people and creatures that are Holler-related.
So, I chatted up Don, the man walking the dogs. He lives on a ten-acre ranch, abutting open space, a couple of hollering distances away from our Holler. It turns out he runs a dog haven specializing in behavioral rehabilitation of dogs with problem personalities. Rescue organizations and private owners send their animals to Don’s place for rehab, much like Hollywood movie stars. However Don’s clients seemed nicer, and they don’t have to return over and over like the Hollywood ones.
Don’s operation called Doggy Hydeaway is a family run operation and Don clearly loves his dogs and is skillful with them. He seems to be a genuine dog whisperer, intuitively good with dogs. The dogs I met were all perfectly behaved and happy. In fact I stopped to chat because the brindle pit-bull always smiles at me when I drive by. It turns out the brindle poochini is Don’s dog and she mentors the other dogs like the good role model she is. Don currently has 22 dogs in residence.
Here are a couple more of them:
Don fits the dogs with these backpacks because he says dogs have a strong sense of responsibility and like to feel useful. Who can argue with that? Even I occasionally feel like this!
Don and I had an interesting conversation about his philosophy of dog behavioral management. Of course it started with the premise that many dog behavioral problems are really a reflection of the environments in which they are raised. We also discussed how Don does not tolerate dominance hierarchies among his dog pack. They must all respect each other, just like Aretha says. I like Don, his philosophy, and what he is doing with his life.
To tell the truth the Holler is an interesting place to live, full of interesting people and their always fascinating animals.
Check out Don’s website if you are curious (like me!)
Reblogged this on bearspawprint.
Thank you for your support of this wonderful program and of my blog. It means a great deal to me. Cheers to you and your wonderful blog!
Thank you, and you too!
What gorgeous babies they all are! Lots of people around here train Pit Bulls with those awful spiky choke collars and/or leave them outside on a chain…makes my blood boil!! At least you have good neighbors and caring people around who know how to appreciate animals!
Pit bulls can be the biggest love bugs. Don told me that he has rehabbed this pitbull trained to breed fighting dogs. He adopted her. He said despite her brutal training she is the sweetest dog and so eager to please. Watching dogs fight for fun is like watching a car accident for fun. It’s just sick. I never really thought of it until reading your comment, but yes, it does seem there are a lot of animal people out here….Thanks for your comment & observations~
Lucky dogs. What beautiful animals! I certainly won’t disagree with Don’s philosophy. We once had to go through doggie training twice with a cocker spaniel! It wasn’t his fault. He was totally our responsibility.
Yes. Dogs really require a full time caretaker and many of us with jobs and busy lives can’t meet the requirements, yet we love and want to have dogs in our lives. I was in this position for 27 years when I worked full time and was raising a family. We really can’t expect to do it all, although we want to! You were very good to get your dog help twice. I think cockers were being overbred for awhile and developed a nipping issue, so don’t blame yourself. You strike me as very responsible. Thanks for stopping by and for your always interesting posts~
Yep! Nipping the youngest! We actually trained the second time with our youngest daughter having to stand straddling the dog. It did work. He only really needed to to learn the pecking order and became a wonderful pooch.
Oh good. Happy ending. Good example too for your daughter. Kudos to you!
Thank you for sharing this story. I love dogs and cats too. It is a new knowledge that dogs have a strong sense of responsibility. That is interesting.
Yes I had never thought of it, but it is true. Think how much dogs like to please and protect us..Working dogs love to work, guard dogs love to guard, herding dogs herd, sled dogs race, etc…..These dogs seemed happy with their backpacks and jobs to do…….
Reblogged this on The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap and commented:
Another wonderful animal rescue story. Love this one.
Isn’t this terrific! Just reblogged it also. And, give your daughter a big hug from me for saving Penelope. Paulette
Aaawww. I will. She’s coming down this weekend for her wedding shower! Thank you Paulette for your kindness and appreciation. It is very appreciated~
The reblog made an international e-newsletter. It changes its story daily so if you don’t see it here today it’ll have changed. We just never know the ripple effects of acts of kindness. This beautiful man, your sharing, and on it goes to help make the world a better place.
http://paper.li/DwyerKerry/1346406260?utm_source=subscription&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=paper_sub
Congrats to your daughter. How exciting! Hugs, Paulette
Wow! Incredible!
Toss a stone into the water and who knows where the ripples go?
This publication is due to your efforts Paulette, and your support, and is due to your comittment to animals.
Toss a couple of stones into the water and the ripples apparently went across an entire ocean! How wonderful for everyone involved. And if it helps save more dogs, what could possibly be more meaningful!
Thank you Paulette. You seriously rock!
Oh, I’m so glad you saw it!
This is wonderful. I so admire people like this. Hurray for Don!
I do too! Lots of dedication and a laid back personality~
This is beautiful Cindy! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. How precious this is.
Love the back pack philosophy and the dogs look so happy!! I have goosebumps & tears. Hugs to you and Don!
It is so impressive isn’t all the good people in the world who do good things. Like you!! Thank you Judy for appreciating this. It was a nice surprise meeting Don and his doggies. I think they must love the space and quiet and nature out here. I like what he said, “let a dog be a dog,” run, explore and have responsible humans looking after them……..
If I ever move out west I will be bugging you for the exact location of such an interesting place.
Say the word and I’ll start holler-hunting for you…….imagine all the interesing posts!!!
Great guy. As I might have told you before, we’ve always had Staffords (and it looks like a black Stafford in one of those pics. Lovely dogs all of them. I’ve got no time for the misguided humans who teach them to be aggressive
Yep. As usual you and I agree. Lovely dogs that require lovely owners like you!
those dogs are beautiful, it is just something about a stocky build wide face and expressive eyes and markings that make me say awwww what a beauty. (may I share a secret? I really don’t find retreivers and labs very handsome or cute, they are kind of ugly to me tho I am sure their personalites are nice) but bully type dogs just make me go awww for some reason so do mastiff type dogs with their sad expressive eyes lots of colors and markings (I love combo colors) I also think that basset hounds are adorable with thei sad eyes and long ears, and I just love spitz type dogs like sheba uni, pomeranians, and and smaller silky furred dogs. it is really nice there are people who know how to teach them to love again and to avoid the dominance issues in a pack, like ceasar says they are all to act cordial not fighting over food or toys. nice.
Yes these wide stanced dogs, with their large broad skulls are so attractive. They were meant to be a protective comfort to us, and maybe we instinctively respond to this. When they are gentle, they are total love-bugs. There is a guy who runs a tiny market here and he has this big, grey pit-bull, bruiser-fireplug of a dog. He likes to sit on my feet to prevent me from leaving the store. The owner says lots of people are afraid of him, but you can usually tell which dogs to be wary of and which are complete hug-buddies. The shop owner and his dog are gentle sorts. The grey dog was skittish, but he was getting help and Don knew how to handle him.
many dog behavioral problems are really a reflection of the environments in which they are raised.
Sounds like our kids! The white and brown dog with a green striped blanket looks like his grinning from ear to ear. He’s so handsome although I’m a cat person.
Yes as a therapist (and mother) I immediately made that connection!! There was a similarity to what Don does with his dogs to human therapy, although the clients are different species!! LOL!
Parenting, don’t even get me started on that topic….
You know the old adage, “no good deed goes unpunished.” With parenting, it’s no good or bad deed that goes unpunished. One cannot escape parenthood without some punishment. It goes with the job description. But of course, it’s because we care about our kids so darn much.
I guess you could say this same thing about all super close human relationships.
Thanks for the perceptive comment~
How I admire people like Don, the dog whisperers of the world. It’s the people like him who create loving relationships with misunderstood animals and prove that hostility is not inherent in the breed.
Yes I admire him also and your comment is right on the mark. I honestly could in no way manage 22 dogs with issues, but I am so grateful people like him can and do!
The back pack idea is so interesting as is Don’s philosophy. When I saw the back packs I thought maybe the dogs helped Don with his grocery shopping; carried the goods home.
He just puts a stone in them he said! The dogs probably get so excited when he takes out the packs, because they are going on a walking adventure in Hollerdom, so much to smell and see… And they have a job to do, carrying their packs…. I can just picture it and I love the image.
I asked Don about the coyote packs, and he said sometimes the dogs will go after the coyotes, but they always run back “with their back tails between their legs!”
I bet it is very good for these dogs to be here in Hollerdom! They have to accept their place in the natural order, and out here, the coyotes are king!
Cheers to you my friend~
Pit bulls are illegal and a banned breed here under the dangerous dogs act. Unscrupulous breeders still try to find ways to get put bull into the breed lines though usually selling them to clueless thug-mentality owners who use them as status dogs and weapons.
Yes, I was waiting for you to weigh in as I am aware of your expertise. We have been charged out here twice by loose, unsupervised, hostile-pitbulls. We carry marine horns now when we walk which solves the problem. Mismanagement of the breed is a serious problem. Having loose, aggressive, unsuperivised dogs is a serious problem.
People need to responsibility up with their dogs. Dogs must be supervised, properly cared for and contained. In too many cases, none of the aforementioned responsibilities are being met by the human caretakers.
I agree, the human thug-mentality creates problems with everything it comes in contact with, from school bullying, domestic abuse, gangs, violence, to thug dog-raising . Simply abhorrant…..
Marine horns!! Oh Wolf! That’s certainly one way to handle an aggressive dog
Too many people have no idea whatsoever of the responsibilites involved in dog ownership and by the time they begin to get a tiny inkling of an idea it’s far too late and the damage already done. I’ve spoken to countless numbers of people now who have been contemplating dog ownership – usually of totally the wrong breeds for their situation – eg GSD’s in little tiny flats with no gardens, and the potential owner out more than in with no time for the dog…often I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall. They just don’t get it! They know nothing about the breed they think they want and even less about how to take care of a dog. Scary.
The marine air horns are amazingly effective and cause a charging, attacking, crazed dog, to do a pirouette, tuck their tails and fly home to Mama, who is obviously not there and neglecting her dog……Safe & effective. I’ve only used it 2x’s and the 2 dogs NEVER bothered me again! Whatever you do don’t use it with cows though. The herefords got into our orchard and were Juarassic Parking our grapefruits. I used the marine to shoo them off. Nope. Did not work. They lifted up their dino heads, paused for a second, and took off at a full run right at me. I have never moved so fast in my life. Spoke to the old sheriff who owns the herd sometime later. He told me he blasts his truck horn to announce feeding time and suggested I not do that again. Laughing now…..it was in my early adjustment days to rural life. The cows do sound like dinos when they are crashing after you! LOL!!!
Oh wolf!! Dino-cows!! I was sure the dino’s were wiped out in the last catastrophic meteorite strike too lol
Oh dear! Now I’ve started I can’t stop! I’ve had 3hrs to spend on W/P tonight and I haven’t got to one single blog yet!! Doesn’t help that all the email updates I thought it would be easier to have, are all sitting in my junk folder! Very nice of hotmail
I’ve only just found them all 
Talking of loose, aggressive and unsupervised dogs I have, when I finally get it reduced down to blog size – I’m not good at short and concise lol…long and drawn out sounds more appropriate 
got a post about an interesting alternative occupation for such dogs…I will attempt to get it up over the weekend 
Miracles will never cease!
Oh yes that would be most appreciated……
This guy’s doing a great job…but I’m curious re “he doesn’t tolerate a dominance heirarchy within his dog packs…” I know some people don’t believe in packing orders and a pack leader etc and use alternative approaches…maybe that is the case here…but a pack heirarchy ranging from dominant to submissive is normal and natural to dogs same as wolves. Instinctual to submit to the Alpha. And respect for each other is a natural and necessary part of that…
I am no expert, as you and Don are, but I think he does respect the dominance hierarchy with the dogs. He just won’t let them bully each other, and the humans in his dog pack are the ultimate alphas. You could tell that his dog for example was a quietly confident leader. You would need to ask him though, as I am not any sort of canine behavior expert.
BTB- Now the whole family is onto your website. We are all serious admirers…..I am resending the post about working dogs to my family. Cheers to you and the wolves (and dogs) of Europa! Keep coming with the comments. They are informative and thought provoking……
Yes, I’d agree with you there – I too got the impression Don’s dog was “a quietly confident leader.” He sounds like a really cool guy – very knowledgeable and interesting. I would certainly like to get in touch with him
I think you and your family are awesome! Please say hello and a big thank you to them all for me
And I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and that it’s not as icy cold and freezing as ours is set to be! And I thought Europa was cold lol Wolfie hugs to you all 
Wish I could hug Wolfie back!!!! Stay warm & cheers~
PS-Don’t mess with the dino-cows!
What a wonderful man
I agree. Non-standard. Interesting. Doing something admirable in a low key way.
Hi, I love that first photograph with the smiley face. I have a backpack so that I can carry some water on long walks – and I’m really proud to help!
I know what good workers you GP’s are Clowie. Protective of herds and homes. We have some impudent coyote packs out here too and you could teach them some manners! I would love to have a GP like you becuase you are gentle, beautiful, giants. Loyal, brave, protective and hard working! But our summers are too hot and GP’s wouldn’t like that. I admire your human too and her friend Paulette. They do such good deeds……..Cheers Clowie and pleased to meet ya!
Those look like wonderful animals! It takes a special talent to see and bring out the good dogs inside of them.
Those who are hardest to love, need our love the most. I agree with you. Thank you~
The best neighbors are the ones just like your friendly holler neighbor. Neighbor one on my left will talk your ears off if you wish to talk, which we do each time we are at the fence, (fence to keep Breanna and his dog Bo out of the road). Neighbors on the right, fight with each other constantly and keep trying to drag me into their battles, NOT!
Interesting. Similar dynamic out here, which we stay out of. I lack sufficient energy for conflict~
Doggy Hydeaway worked for several months with my sister’s dog. My sister died in a car accident last summer, and her dog was headed for a much sadder fate until a friend of hers found Doggy Hydeaway. Kali was very dog aggressive and I live on the East Coast and could not be of any help or take her in myself. Kali is now doing wonderfully well and one of the organization’s trainers has recently adopted her himself! Read Kali’s story on their website for more info. These people are truly wonderful. Support them if you can!
Jean,
I am so terribly sorry about the death of your sister in a car accident. Unbelieveably traumatic for you and for your family. My thoughts are with you all. Sudden, enexpected death, is so doubly hard. You have my sincerest sympathy and very best wishes.
It is so admirable that despite your loss and grief you take the time to post this comment in support of Doggy Hydeaway. It says a lot about you. I am so happy to hear that Kali is doing well and was helped by the program. I know your sister would be also.
Your post has moved and impressed me more than you can possibly know.
Thank you for your kindness, for your care of Kali, and please know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Cindy
Hello everyone! Thanks to Cindy for posting a blog about us! Thanks to everyone who has made comments. We love the interest our business brings to all of the dog lovers out there. We are passionate about what we do and want to help anyone who is willing to put forth the effort and time. It’s the least we can do for our unconditional loving dogs, don’t you think?! I noticed some comments about the pack leader/alpha dog. We do follow the pack leader mentality, but in our pack, we, the humans, are the pack leaders. Of course within the pack of dogs, there are certain dogs who are respected as “leaders” in the pack, such as the two senior females (Bear and Sierra) and Murphy, the most confident dog in our pack who has been extensively trained by Nick, our behavior specialist. There is definitely a pecking order within the pack and everyone knows their place. To better understand our philosophy, click on the link: http://www.doggyhydeaway.com/Behavior_Rehab.php. Keep the comments coming! WE LOVE IT! Lori, co-owner of the Doggy Hydeaway
Lori-
Welcome! So glad you weighed in!
Please feel free to answer any of the technical questions posted here.
It is interesting that you use the term “confident” to refer to the pack leaders. I think people sometimes confuse human psyshology with canine psychology. Insecure people are not the same as an insecure dog. I once had to deal with an insecure, mastiff-pitbull mix, that would occasionally get free and charge. The dog was dangerous because he was insecure.
I am so glad there are people like you folks at Doggy Hydeaway that help these insecure dogs and their humans.
I am going to your cite now to read about Kali.
Jean’s post was truly moving and quite a testament to her and to all of you.
Cheers to all of you and thank you for the good you are doing.
Hope to see you and your doggies out and about soon~
Beautiful pups. It’s the owners that need trained more than the dogs, I do my best with my two viszlas, but I could do with more training myself! What a wonderful job Don does. Respect. Thanks for sharing the pics and story of the encounter, Tracey
Yep. You hit the nail on the head. It is the humans who need to be trained! Mismanaging dogs is a big problem and results in lots of abandoned animals. It is mysterious how certain people just have a knack for knowing instinctively how to manage even aggressive dogs. It is impressive to me. I need more training too!! Thank you for the intelligent comment. Viszlas are such regal dogs.
I admire you and your neighbor for rescuing and fostering. I had liked your post but was afraid to read cos I get nightmares from graphic stories about animal mistreatment, but I came back and read it!
So glad you came back! You will never see graphic mistreatment of any living creature anywhere on my blog so feel safe. I can’t stand it either. I quit watching, reading or listening to the news on July 6, 2102 and I am so glad that I did. The good in the world outnumbers the bad and it is healthy to focus on the things that are good for a change! Cheers to you my friend and welcome!
Wow, I don’t watch the news either, only rarely, and my nice husband knows to change the station or mute it or tell me to go away if anything comes on that upsets me. My son does that too. I just can’t stand it. I wish I could save and help them all. I got rid of most cable last June and don’t really miss all that TV either. I will read you all the time now!
Visa versa for me too!!
So nice a coverage on the topic.
So nice of you to say! Thank you~
I am so glad Don is another dog whisperer:) We need more people like him:)
Yes I agree with you & thank you! And, more people like you too!!
Omg, thanks a million:)
Reblogged this on cookiedmouse's Blog and commented:
Cindy is wonderful! You should read this and follow her
You sweet cookie! Thank you. I so appreciate the kindness. Cheers to you~
My son has a pit-bull, Jilly, rescued by a friend of mine. I ran into her about 9 years ago and she asked me for Joseph’s phone number. While I knew she and her husband did a lot of animal rescue I had no idea that she had my son in mind for Jilly. Shortly after this, my son brings Jilly by the house to meet me. Despite having tons of surgery for a crushed leg, Jilly is still Joseph’s shadow and he loves dearly.
Due to being attacked more than once as a child, I do keep my distance from dogs. I would never harm one but I prefer to keep my distance. Now cats, I have rescued a number of them. My daughter currently has five cats that found her… She has worked with dogs and cats. Perhaps there is a family trend here?
Definitely is sounding like there is one.
When you raise children with compassion & empathy, they are going to be compassionate and empathetic towards others.
So it’s not a surprise that our children rescue animals.
Conversely of course, as you and I know too well, if you bully and mistreat children, they will do the same to other people and to animals.
Simple. Why can’t some people figure this out? Occams razor.
If you mistreat a dog, he will be insecure and at high risk for aggression.
Treat animals well. Treat chidren well.
Simple.
Cheers the psyche to read about animal rescue people, special souls, indeed.
Yes it does & thank you~
Great story & shots!
I replied in the wrong space…..Thank you so much. I love your blog as well. Cheers to you~
Very kind & appreciated. Thank you~
Welcome! Thank you for subscribing to follow my blog. I hope you are encouraged, inspired and enjoy the photos I take of life’s events as seen through the lens of my camera.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
I am! Love your photos! Blessings to you~
I love it! I’ve been a professional groomer for many years and just love the pups! God bless those who rescue these particularly misunderstood dogs. Pits are the best (Petey in the Little Rascals was a Pit Bull Terrier). There are no bad dogs. Only bad owners.
Thanks for sharing this story, Cindy
You of course are completely right….No bad dogs! Doggy Hideaway told me that a pitbull trained to fight was adopted by them and is a very sweet, loving and gentle dog, that gets along with all the other dogs beautifully. Thank you for stopping by and commenting & cheers to you~
Thank you for sharing! I’m glad you stopped and chatted! We all got to benefit!
XOXO
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