Two Posts In One Day

I know, I know, I'm excessively wordy today, but for some reason it feels like everything's slowly beginning to fall into place today. And while this is kind of not related to my dogs, it kind of is at the same time so yes, it belongs in here.

I've found a training book site that not only is actually in Australia but has oodles of awesome books and ones I want to buy available on it. For just the seven main books I want- and need- to get, it'll be $205 not including postage, but I'm gonna say screw the cost and get them once I check out my bank account and make sure it isn't dehydrated.

I've got up Dogs- which I've been trying to find a copy of for forever- Shaping Success, The Culture Clash, The Other End Of The Leash, In Focus, Control Unleashed and The Focused Puppy.

So that's the first awesome thing.

The second is that I have a tentative idea of what I want to do once I leave school.

I've been very, very hesitant about even considering going down the path of dog training and behaviour modification because it freaks me out a bit, being responsible for the training and welfare of a dog other than my own. But the truth is that whenever I think "What the hell am I going to do with the rest of my life?" the only thing that really comes up with some degree of enthusiasm is working with dogs.

Obviously it isn't a sole job plan, especially first off, but I've been in the retail pet industry for two years and wouldn't have an issue with continuing that, or some variation of that in addition. I just find it all so fascinating, and I love learning new methods and techniques, either just for the general knowledge or to help my own dogs.

I wish I had a few more options now to work with other people's dogs, but I'll be getting a small chance at that regularly starting in a few months when I turn eighteen and can volunteer at the AWL. I'd love to also do small scale dog sitting and fostering; basically anything I can do to just start getting more exposure to different dogs.

I have no idea whether or not it's going to pan out, or how it'll all click together, but I'm feeling pretty darn positive about it all.