I was at that tracking test last Sunday and there was an older woman competing with her GREAT BIG German Shepherd dog. It was sort of an odd looking match because she was tall and thin, older - maybe 70 with white hair, arthritis fingers... sort of frail looking and here she has this great big intact male dog.
I met her at lunch - Sister Sue. A nun. Oy, I haven't seen or talked to a nun since my days at all girls Catholic school with a convent ATTACHED to the school. It threw me a little. I think I stammered my name --- she had to ask me to repeat it.
At lunch I asked if I could meet her dog, Storm. She had him out to potty and I was on my knees, in his face, scritchin' his ears.
She tells me in her quiet, peaceful, reverent voice, "Oh yes, Storm is a wonderful dog. We do some agility and of course this tracking. (She smiles benevolently down at Storm) And he's trained to Schutzhund level 3*... wonderful protection dog."
Gulp. Maybe I should not be smack dab in this dog's face, so close to his mouth? He seemed very happy and stable...
Boy, ya sure wouldn't expect that from a nun would ya? Are nuns allowed to have hobbies involving attack dogs?!
Anyway - people sure are interesting aren't they?
*for those who don't know Schutzhund training is specialized training for personal protection, level 3 is the highest level... they also compete in obedience and tracking and are evaluated for temperament
6 comments:
That is awesome! Good for her! I love german sheps, just don't want the shedding. I've gotta have short haired dogs!
Ain't that the Truth!! I would have to wonder what the command was that told him to protect!?? A Nun?? Nice part about you is that you inquired enough to find out More. You just never know unless you start talking!! :)
That's awesome. Can't help, though, wishing she was wearing a Sister Wendy habit. That would have been doubly awesome.
I also wish the nuns at my elementary school had channeled all their scaryness into hobbies like that.
Happy April Fools!
I think if you are going to stick your face in a dogs face... I'd do it to a Schutzhund dog before someones purse pet!! : )
Wow... a nun! WOW!! You know I went to Catholic school for 2 years.. and even though I'm from a non-religious family, I thought about being a nun... but I thought they only got to teach or be nurses... and I wanted to work with animals.... Hummm... if only I'd known??? But then there was the giving up men issue..... HA!HA!HA!
Heather - yeah the blowing coat thing... uck! It was pretty cool!
Cheryl - HA HA HA HA!
Kelley - I hadn't thought that way but yeah, totally more stable than one of those sort I bet... but only cuz the people that do that probably don't work with their dogs so much and use them as "accessories"!
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