Corbin's 3rd Gotcha Day

A post from the momma:

Today is a special day in our house hold. It's a day that changed our life
just 3 short years ago.

 

12/19/09

 

When I think of how many ways a life can change, I'm ever so grateful for the ways they change for the better. With all the sadness in this world and the knowledge of how quickly your life can be taken away, it's an amazing moment when something wonderful happens. This day, 3 years ago, was definitely a change for the better. It brought into my life something wonderful, something opinion changing, something that gave me a new outlook on life over these past years.

 

Summer 2011

 

Three years ago, a four legged, hyper, brown dog flew through our door, sprang off of our couch and sprinted down our hallway. They called him "Corbin." In the brief moment when I thought "Oh, dear Lord... what did I get myself into," I was honestly afraid of my Christmas tree getting knocked over, a dog going through my window or this crazy dog injuring himself slipping and sliding all over our hardwood floors.

 

Our first night.

 

However, it didn't take long for him to settle down, curl up on the couch and take a deep snooze. As he relaxed, I relaxed. He had some time to re-energize chill out before Adam came back. We went out and got some toys for him and quickly learned his love for fetch. Corbin was to be our first foster dog. We were hoping he'd be our first of many until we found the perfect dog for our home -which, by the way, in my mind was a 40lb border collie mix. Adam was smitten within 48 hours of our new found friend. He took his first trip to the mancave for the Giants football game, and quickly became the love of everyone we knew. We tried to get someone we knew to adopt him, but... he was, after all, a Pit Bull, and no one wanted to own one of those.

 

 

December 2012

 

I came into Corbin's life knowing only media based information on Pit Bulls. Not that I believed it, but it was the only thing I knew. Corbin molded my mind. After two months of fostering him, we officially adopted him, knowing he would never fit in so well with any other family. Now looking back, I don't believe he would have ever survived with any other family. Corbin has been a challenge, but one that we so very willing accepted. We have done lots of training with him, and although he's not perfect and will always have his quirks, he's perfect for us. I cringe thinking the possibility of him being adopted and returned and passed around from home to home. It would have killed his spirit, and in turn, would have most likely killed him. There was a brief window when Corbin was 10 months old, where he could have gone either way... towards the way he is now as a decently trained, friendly dog, or the other way, towards an aggressive, uncontrollable maniac. We're glad that through training, love and patience, Corbin went the friendly route. But, there's little doubt in my mind that left in the wrong hands of someone unwilling to put the time and training into him, he would have been euthanized for aggressive behavior. Hard to believe, huh? I try not to think of that... it breaks my heart thinking how often it does happen, and warms my heart that it wasn't the fate of my dear Corbin.

 

Summer 2012

 

Through him I have learned so much. I've learned the importance of rescue and fostering, and not only has it become my love and passion, but it's become a deep part of my being. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help other dogs like Corbin, and make sure their fate is the same as his. I've learned so much about dog training, a passion of patience that I enjoy exercising on Corbin and our foster dogs. I've learned about canine health and medicine - probably more than I ever would have imagined. But, the most important thing I've learned from Corbin is about love. The unconditional love that he gives me could never be put into words. He is all forgiving when I make a mistake, all trusting when he's unsure and all the comfort I need during a time of tragedy. He's taught me that no words need to be said in order to feel the comfort of another living soul. During my grief over my dad's illness and his death, there were few people I could stand to be around. My mother was the side I never wanted to leave, Adam was always a welcome site, but nothing could compare to the quiet peace of being around Corbin. Being able to sit in silence, stroke his soft fur and welcome tears that hadn't shed was the way I began processing all that had happened. He knew his job and he took it seriously. He was there for comfort when I needed comfort and he was there with his upside down silly face when he knew I needed a laugh. It's an amazing bond, that of human and canine. Things are understood that could never be spoken out loud.  Though I've had many dogs in my past, all of which I love dearly, the connection with Corbin brings owning a dog to an entire different level.  It's not an ownership... it's a partnership. 

 

My heart dog.

 

I remember reading a quote on Hound Girl's blog as she talked about her beloved Fred: "We don't get the dog we want, we get the dog we need." I'm not sure where the quote came from, but it couldn't be more true. Although Corbin wasn't the dog we set out to find, he was the dog we needed in our life, to teach us, to heal us and to guide us to being better people. We are proud to be Corbin's family, proud to share his life with people who love him, even those who don't physically know him. Corbin and I are proud to be connected through our blog to this group of amazing animal people. We're grateful for the support on both Corbin's issues and my life obstacles, for the laughs I get from reading your blogs and the tears I shed when each pet makes their trip across the bridge. It's a strange connection, this blog world... but I'm very lucky to have stumbled upon it and become a part of it.

 

In his newest Sirius Republic collar.

 

Today, although he can't have any of his favorite treats, we celebrate Corbin and the wonderful dog that we have been lucky enough to have in our lives.  Thanks, buddy... you truly make this life a wonderful place.