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I have learned many things from the amazing animals I have trained as well as the people who love them. These teams of dog and owners develop emotional bonds that last a lifetime. The most extraordinary canine human relationships I have seen are those where together they help each other survive hardship. This was the case with Patricia and Billie.

When I first met Patricia she was in her late 50's. Billie, her female Australian Shepard, was 8 years old. All the details of how they came to have a unique bond did not become clear to me until sometime after we met and became friends.

Billie had been Patricia's husband's dog. He raised her from a puppy, doling out kicks and slaps as part of her training. His methods were effective. When Billie was told to stay back during Patricia's punishments, she did. When she was younger she tried to defend Patricia but each time she was beaten back. She learned to run away and hide. Patricia also did as she was told when it was Billie's turn; though it broke her heart she did not dare intervene. They would console each other afterwards. Patricia would tell Billie it was going to be OK. Billie would bob her head and make a noise that sounded like the word "yes." Fortunately for the both of them the marriage ended and he decided he wanted nothing to do with either of them.

Patricia was working hard to put back together the broken pieces of her life. She was moving on, but Billie was not. Though Billie had performed well for her tyrannical master, she, like Patricia, was left emotionally wounded and confused. Once she was no longer under his rule she became controlling and aggressive toward everyone except Patricia. She had to be locked away when anyone entered the house or yard for fear she would bite them. Billie had never been able to protect Patricia from harm before and now she was determined to never let anyone near her. Most people would have a dog like this destroyed. Patricia contacted three other trainers before me; and they all said the same thing, no one can help the dog. Patricia would not give up. She had not been able to stop Billie's abuse in the past and was now dedicated to helping her--two souls, one human one canine, bonded together by a common abuser. They had been forced to watch each other's suffering, waiting for the day that they could help each other. They did not know how deeply they needed each other until all they had was each other.

One of my proudest achievements was being able to help Patricia and Billie. I worked one on one with them for 22 days until we saw results. Though Billie still had to be watched in some situations, she learned for the first time to relax and play. She and Patricia would finally take long walks and entertain visitors in their home together without fear. Patricia took care of Billie and gave her a rich, comfortable life until the very end.

Four years after I met them Billie began to suffer from crippling arthritis. Patricia would ask me how she would know when it was time to end Billie's suffering. Knowing the bond between them, I could only support her by saying, "When it's time you will know." One day Billie, unable to get up, looked at Patricia the same way she had so many times in the forgotten past. It was a plea for help. This time Patricia had the courage to put a stop to Billie's suffering.

Patricia cried as Billie looked up at her before forever falling asleep. In that last look Patricia said she knew that Billie forgave her and loved her for making the last few years of her life worth living. She told Billie that it would be OK. Billie responded by bobbing her head and saying "yes." At that moment all their guilt, fear and pain ended. They had healed each other.

Pictures of Billie are around the house and on the shelf next to her other family members. Occasionally she will pause in front of Billie's pictures and lovingly reach out and touch the picture as though she is petting her. Patricia and I have stayed friends because now we also have a bond, a dog named Billie.

Keywords: dog trainer, dog stories, dog relationships

About the Author
Eleanor Scheidemann, Sacramento, CA
trainme@thedoglady.org