Dina

11/29/2024

Dina and I spend numerous hours together daily. Whether it be out in the dog yard, walking the block socializing, running on the treadmill, or just hanging out with each other, she is always a willing participant. Just saying hi to others who are her friends keeps her tail wagging and eyes batting every time. She LOVES to snuggle up close for warmth and love. Attention is nothing she shies away from. If you like to play games, chase, or test her knowledge, skills, and intellect, she’ll certainly impress you!

We spent time on the treadmill this week, learned new tricks, and her and Hailey played off leash a lot in the dog yard. She adores Hailey. A chilly but fun week…Dina’s a GEM!

When out for a walk, she will now say hi to anyone along the way and when we get there. She has such a good time when we go. It is something she looks forward to.

Nothing is keeping Dina from being adopted. I did notice when her medication is given to her late, she gets a little agitated. Every morning I give her medication and take her out to run to burn off her energy drive. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes of us playing chase with each other to relax her. Then she is just fine for the day!

11/22/2024

Hailey and Dina’s friendship is SO MUCH FUN to watch. With Hailey towering Dina in height and size, the advantage still tilts in the savvy Dina’s favor. The two play tug with anything that is available. Dina will gently grip on the other end with Hailey thinking she’s being nice; however, Dina is only baiting her for the snatch and roll out! A found frisbee just introduced to them has become their favorite toy.

Dina now jumps off my back for toys or treats! She will allow you to back her up simply by steering her direction for distance and precision. She whispers when asked to do so. She has created many friendships that she entertains daily. She has the looks, the smarts and greets with a happy smile and wagging tail. The only thing she doesn’t have is a loving home. To those who read the journals and know her or met her – share with others what you’ve seen with her please, and thank you!

Dina is to a point where she now allows me to introduce her to those strangers she growls and barks at and has never seen before or met previously. I’d say she has come very far. As long as I don’t growl at them all is well in trusting one another.

Again, her only struggle is in the morning for ½ hr – 45 min while medication takes effect. This has her agitated a little. Just taking her out to the yard to release some energy works very well. She still stays social with those she knows during this process.



11/15/2024

Dina’s ability to learn seems endless. She now hops on two legs, walks backwards with hand signals completely around tables, and will jump up, onto, and over my back when I crouch to retrieve toys or treats! That’s just a FEW of the things she knows.

Her picture doesn’t do her justice in just how beautiful her colors really are. She’s a sweetheart in giving out affection to those she knows or loves. 100% adorable and wondering why: why not her? She won’t disappoint anyone who takes the time to meet her.

She played with Hailey all week. They are BESTIES.

With being consistent every time I leave, Dina’s anxiety cry for me to be there has come almost to a halt. Every now and then a low whine is heard, but within minutes it is gone. From an every moment yelping to this is a significant milestone achieved! She trusts I’ll be back soon enough.

Dina still barks heavy at complete strangers, but I give them treats to say “Hi” and then walk away until she is more comfortable to be around them.

Sometimes she struggles in the early stage of her medication…just seems more agitated than anything – a great time for exercise or play!

11/8/2024

Dina and I spent some time getting to know the new dog in the program. Her name is Ellie Mae and she’s 10 months old and FULL of energy. With Dina and Hailey playing all the time, Ellie Mae should fit right in… trying to make it a trio of fun! The young girl just has to get used to Dina’s loud play. So with Hailey off leash and Ellie and Dina on, we are almost ready for someone new to join us.

Funny thing…during play Dina hid on the opposite side of our picnic table from Hailey. Hailey never expected what was about to happen next. Suddenly and very surprisingly, Dina ran up over the table and cujo’ed Hailey!!! Haley was stunned and we all laughed loudly. Now Hailey does it to Ellie Mae – Dina’s an excellent teacher and Hailey paid attention in class!

There are so many things that Dina has learned; it’s impressive, but how she is now is willing to meet and greet and play with other dogs or people...from where we started especially being medicated, it is a significant milestone achieved. Dina rarely struggles – only at certain times during medication, but still is easily redirected with treats.

11/1/2024

Beautiful weather has allowed for Hailey and Dina to get many hours of play time together. At first Hailey was hesitant when they play because Dina is loud when having fun. Now she understands it’s all play ant the two’s cat and mouse games are hilarious to watch!

Dina is past most hand commands now and knows what to do with verbal asks. She has completed her level 3 obedience training 3 weeks ago and is working on different training and tricks! She is like a cat when initiating play and an elephant when comprehending and learning. All this wrapped up in one little canine. DINA BENA…so much to love about her!

10/25/2024

Hailey and Dina play daily. She teaches Hailey her ways of doing things. Their favorite is – one will grab a toy and run and hide behind the picnic table…the other will creep around slowly, and a chase will follow. Then they will alternate positions. When engaging in play Dina is a little more vocal with her rumbling voice, which seems to spook Hailey at times. It’s HILARIOUS because Dina seems to know it sometimes frightens Hailey and will grab a toy and walk it over to her, inviting her to play. It comforts Hailey and play will resume!

Dina will now hop on two legs for a little distance. It’s fun to watch! My girl is turning into a show off!

10/18/2024

Almost daily Dina and Hailey play off leash. With Hailey only being 7 months old and being so much bigger than Dina, the two still have SO much fun! Dina has showed Hailey how to play hide ‘n seek and the two take turns on doing the chasing. Dina is so savvy and uses her skills to roll the pup. Hailey gives some attitude with her beefy bark, but it’s clear she understands that respect must be given to the older lady! It’s LITERALLY a great comedy show!

I took a blanket and threw it over Dina in the yard, then called her to come to me. She is so slick – rolling head over heels to escape and coming up to her feet and runs zig-zagging at top speed looking to do it again! Juvenile at heart.

10/11/2024

Being down a few handlers and with two dogs leaving kept me busy this week and Dina is looking for some new running mates! Finally getting the opportunity to meet Phoebe helps fulfill Dina’s play drive. The two look forward to saying “Hi” now and it looks promising for some OFF LEASH play in the near future!

Right now Dina and Hailey share time together and Booker and her run the fence a lot. The rest of the week was spent hanging out and playing “hide ‘n seek” or learning new things.

10/04/2024

Due to NINE straight days of rain and the dog yard being muddy every day, most of our time this week was spent together just hanging out. The treadmill was utilized for exercise!

Dina just found out she would be losing her bestie, Callie. The two spent her final day saying their goodbyes. Now she’ll have to find a new every day running mate. Callie was a great friend to Dina and will be missed dearly!

09/27/2024

With the rain staying steady adding NOT liking to stay out in it for longer than a bathroom break, I decided to see how she does on a treadmill for exercise. Turns out this little girl is a natural at it. Putting a harness on her, setting a running speed at a comfortable 5mph, Dina will run for an easy 30 minutes without any difficulty at all! I stand over her for now while she runs, and I think she actually enjoys it.

A lot of our time was spent letting Callie and Dina, then Hailey and Dina play together. She meets them both daily with a good playful greeting. She’s getting better at socializing with new guys, but she still has a few she’s not super fond of…but she’s showing more interest.

09/20/2024

Because Dina has come so far in her socialization skills with people in just a few short weeks, we have decided to focus on doing the same with the dogs in the program. Through constant introductions and consistency she now plays off leash with Callie and Hailey. I’m pretty sure Buddy will be next and maybe even Booker in the future too. What was doubted is now a reality with my Dina Marina! She loves all people and gets along with all the dogs here. She’s a girl who just wants to be loved!

Our new game we learned is placing a basket at each end of the yard and having her take a ball from one basket and put it in the other basket. So what she does is goes to a basket, picks up the ball, carries it to the other basket and drops it in, then comes to me for a reward and then goes to get the ball again and return it to the first basket! She’s a smart girl for sure!

09/13/2024

Dina and I spent a lot of the week introducing Dina to the new dogs, Buddy and Phoebe. IT is going very well and Dina actually enjoys their company. WE worked on the recall from the fence when she’s running with Booker and the others, and she’s doing great with that too!

Dina is a very loving dog, and her comfort seems to be displaying as she is the one to initiate introductions now. I’ve seen significant behavior changes since her arrival 5 weeks ago and its all for the better! She now trusts our decisions together. She’s absolutely willing to learn new things daily as well!

09/06/2024

Through a lot of introductions and reintroductions, Dina will now play peacefully at the fence with several of the dogs here!  Her recall is impeccable too!  I have seen a lot of change in her and believe she would run off leash with one of the other dogs already.  She doesn't see them as threat anymore and will lay and relax with one just a few feet away!

Our friendship has also taken a big step, as now she will give her belly up at any given time to be pet and snuggles up close for comfort on a daily basis.  She's a very lovable and loving canine!  Dina can still be nervous or anxious when meeting new people, more often men, than women. She's getting better and will take treats from strangers, but isn't too keen on letting them in the cell or being friends until she's really checked them out.

One other thing that we've been working on is her anxiety when left alone. It has definitely improved week to week, but something for her future family to know is that she might struggle with it initially when she's adopted. A lot of dogs have some form of separation anxiety but Dina's can be managed with practice, routine, and some medication. 

08/30/2024

Most of the week Dina and I worked on running through obstacle courses that I made up. You have to peek her interest with your energy level and treats to hold her attention on it, then she does very well!

Our friendship is really coming along too! Whenever I go and come back her excitement shows a lot! She’s a very beautiful dog with pretty brindle markings in her chocolate coat. Once she sees you’re interested in being her friend, you too will be showered with her excitement and love. A wiggly butt and wagging tail to match!

Dina is doing really well with her socialization with people and some of the dogs too. She can be dog selective and will bark and growl at the ones she doesn’t like, or when a dog does something she doesn’t like. She has no fear of telling Booker off, but they too are coming along quite well as we introduce them slowly and move closer, then further away. We continue to repeat these exercises and hopefully they’ll be able to be friends or at least hang out around each other soon.

08/23/2024

Dina and myself went on a walk to meet and greet others.  These would be complete strangers to her and a learning process for us both on her reactions.  I could tell she knew it was unfamiliar territory and felt a little uncomfortable; however, she allowed others to come say hi without any problems!  These were young and older guys, who have both physical and mental disabilities, along with new staff personnel.  I watched her closely to make sure she didn't get too uncomfortable.  When we left there, and went on to meet more new people, mostly female staff members, I knew there would be no problems!  She loves women...a lot.  A good experience for us both and I'm so proud of her!

As I learn more about Dina, I would say she's definitely dog-selective, as she likes little Louie and runs with Callie on the fence with no issues, but shows reactivity towards Booker and Macie.  We're working on maintaining a safe distance and redirecting her.  If she hears another dog barking, she will join in even if she has no idea what they're barking at!  We're working on this too.  All in good time!

08/16/2024

Dina and I spent the week working on her people skills, commands that she doesn't know yet, and playing some hide-n-seek, which she REALLY likes.

When we go to the dog yard and once released from her leash, Dina will run and hide on the other side of the picnic table in the yard, or run to the other side of the yard if its open and go into a stalking position waiting for my response.  I'll walk in a crouched position slowly towards her and she'll stay as low as possible and move around the table to avoid one another.  With both of us creeping, trying not to be seen by the other, occasionally eye contact is made...then I'll run after her and its "game on"!  It will continue for long periods of time, she just LOVES it and I enjoy seeing her having fun!

It is only her second week here, and while she's still adjusting, she does seem to have some separation anxiety, sometimes even when I'm still there with her.  We will continue working on it and doing whatever we can to improve it.

08/09/2024

Dina and I spent the week together just getting to know one another, working on commands, play hide and seek and tug.  She even likes to play frisbee and a good game of tug is always great fun for us.  Quite a bit of time was spent socializing with the other.  When it comes to people, she's more trusting as she approaches females, more so than men (right now).  As I sit here to write this, she is cuddled up next to me, right up against me.  I like that she has already taken a liken to me!

Dina is doing well with learning her commands.  She likes her playtime and looks forward to burning off energy during the morning and evening hours. She's still adopting to all the noises and socialization is coming along well, but I'm still cautious as she's still settling in and learning to trust us.

08/02/2024

Dina joined the HOPE Program today, so be sure to check back weekly for her updates!