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Hello
Growing up in a household filled with cats, birds, fish, bunnies, and lizards, I learned from a very young age to love and respect all creatures. But it was Pal, German Shepherd/Collie mix my dad brought home for free, who truly captured my heart. He was my constant companion from the time I was 3 until I turned 12.
I owe so much to Pal. He taught me a deep love for dogs that even a scary experience couldn't shake. When I was 5, I was knocked down and bitten by a Husky and needed 14 stitches on my face—yet, because of the bond I had with Pal, I never blamed all dogs or even all Huskies. That experience taught me a profound lesson early on: dogs are individuals and that relationship, context and circumstances matter.
Then Came Luna Bean
Joe and I adopted Luna from a Vermont humane society in 2005. A one-year-old rescue from the streets of Puerto Rico, she immediately turned everything I thought I knew about dogs upside down. Her personality seemed to shift with the wind—which, ironically, she was sometimes afraid of. Baffled by behaviors I’d never seen before, our world grew smaller as Luna’s anxieties and distrust of the world took hold.
Thankfully, I found a trainer in New Hampshire whose academy and mentorship opened my eyes. Through endless lessons and deep reading, I began to understand the 'why' behind my stoic, fierce, quirky, and reactive girl. In time, she even learned to welcome Milo, a rescued bait dog, into her heart. Though she lost her sight in her final year, her love for us never wavered. I am forever grateful for the lessons she taught me.
The Other Half of My Story
Since 2003 my profession has been that of a career counselor. As an advisor I am certified in numerous personality assessments and utilize this specialized knowledge to gain insight into how one’s personality affects their career choices, satisfaction, learning style and belief system.
Through this work, I realized a profound truth: personality influences every relationship we have—including the one with our dogs!
I see so many owners struggling with "stubborn" or "difficult" dogs, only to realize the issue isn’t the dog—it is a communication gap.
By applying my expertise in human personalities and knowledge of dog behavior, I help facilitate a deeper, more intuitive connection between species.