Life surprised Uliana and her little mix Alexei with trauma and medical challenges. Together, they found hope for healing in Victoria's episodes of It's Me or the Dog and Positively.
I got Alexei, a Maltese-Yorkshire Terrier mix/ Morkie, as an emotional support animal a year after witnessing my brother's (age 30) tragic death in the summer of 2018. Zoey, my second last Syrian hamster died of old age that same year just days before Christmas. Up until I got Alexei in Oct of 2019, I had only had hamsters and birds as pets since the age of 12. This was because when I was really young (7) I was attacked by a dog and almost lost my right hand at the wrist.
So needless to say, growing up we were not allowed to have a dog in the house. However, I would spend much of my summers as the unofficial dog-walker and puppy-sitter at our trailer park where we vacationed in central Ontario (because apparently even the shyest and meanest dogs loved me). That and because I was an avid fan of a certain dog training TV celebrity and watched all his shows and read his books I felt that I was more than prepared for a puppy of my own... [ I was so very wrong]
I decided on a puppy because the only dogs in the shelters at the time were seniors... and though I have nothing against senior dogs (and genuinely encourage people to give them a chance <3. ) I personally didn't think my heart could take it at this particular point in my life... this is actually why I was moving away from hamsters in the first place. But I digress, I thought that I was more than prepared but I was NOT. The methods that I had read about in his books felt unethical to use on an innocent puppy that clearly didn't know any better, moreover, they were completely ineffective and entirely disproven. I began to doubt my readiness and general resolve to raise this puppy... and I seriously considered rehoming him more than once, it was a close call... In the end I turned to my strengths...research.
That is when I found it, a short video on YouTube about a Bichon Frisé named Lilly, and then the two Yorkshire Terriers Widget and Gizmo, and then also Bailey. I was hooked to the show "Its me or the Dog" because Victoria Stilwell offers the simplest answers to the most difficult questions. Answers that offered actual results; kept things light and fun for the both of us; and more importantly created a bond immeasurably strong... because it was made with a bit of patience, trust, consideration, and a lot of love.
Unfortunately during the pandemic (2020) Alexei was hit by a car. Because of my face-mask, I couldn't see exactly where he was as a car, while illegally turning, whipped though the intersection and cut off a firetruck with its sirens blaring. I tried to swing him with the leash (in his harness) behind me as fast as I could. The vet later said the vehicle must have sideswiped him. It appeared that he probably bounced off the side of the tire.
As far as I was concerned, it was a miracle that he had survived but he still had a long road ahead. Alexei had suffered two fractures on his pelvis and a broken pubic bone on the right side. As such, he spent just shy of a year in a crate. But with the knowledge I had gained from observing Victoria's methods not only was HE able to communicate HIS wants and needs too me, I was able to keep him content and busy, yet completely stationary. I continued to expose him to the world as much as I could with daily backpack walks, offered him countless activities toys, and things he could just tear apart. And I think that's about the same time he also learned to enjoy watching TV with me...
When Alexei was finally 100% physically healed, I quickly realized that his rehabilitation however was not at all finished: he feared going on walks, he preferred the backpack... and let me know it; he refused to walk in the direction where the accident took place; he would panic hysterically at any and all intersections and above all else at the sound of a fire truck (we live near the station).
So again I turned to "It's Me or the Dog" and Victoria's advice. We started sitting at intersections for long stretches of time just watching traffic go by from a safe distance while treating and petting him, I started walking him out to the farthest point of our walks in the backpack and then letting him guide me to the safety of our home with his nose. I habituated him to the sounds of sirens by exposing him to it playing softly in the background, while we did tricks-for-treats or relaxed with a cuddle like we had when he was still afraid of thunder... we are still working on fireworks, and somedays he still fears crossing intersections (particularly on days he has clearly awoken from a nightmare) some of it is still a work in progress... but I am so proud of all this little guy has over come. Moreover, I am eternally grateful for the insight Victoria has been so willing to share and teach. She provided the the skills that allowed me too over come these obstacles, and made a daunting task seem entirely possible. I would recommend her as a resource to anyone and everyone and have.
As for myself, since the pandemic I have unfortunately contracted a case of long haul Covid (in 2021) and have been unable to return to my previous line of work. These past five years, Alexei truly has been my reason to get out of bed in the morning, for one reason or another. If it wasn't for: "It's me or the Dog," Positively, and moreover, Victoria Stilwell herself, I may have re-homed the best friend this universe could have given me. And now I too wish to help... with the skills I have gained over the years learning from her and others, along with the courses available here at "Positively." I am finally starting to feel confident that there is something I too can contribute/accomplish, for the sake of Dogdom, and the people who truly need these beautiful animals in their lives.
A big thank you from me and Alexei to the Positively team for providing these courses!