The Story of Dominik – The Gentle Staffordshire Terrier

Hello, dog lovers! In this blog post, I’ll shed some light on my profession as a dog sitter. Let me introduce you to the story of one of my little friends – Dominik.

Dominik is a 12-year-old Staffordshire Terrier. His wonderful owners affectionately call him Grandpa. He has an impressive appearance, but it’s just for show. His character is gentle and calm. Due to his advanced age, he has joint problems, something like arthritis, I believe. Fortunately, his owners have found a solution to this problem and he receives a special injection every few years. If I remember correctly, the injection contains hyaluronic acid. Dominik doesn’t show any signs of having such a problem. However, there are times when he needs a little lift, like when he wants to get on the couch.

In my practice, I usually prefer to meet the dog on neutral territory before the owners leave it with me. I believe that when a dog recognizes my scent, it helps reduce stress when it’s left in my care.

This was the plan, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they had to come directly to my home. I remember it was mid-September when a happy yet slightly nervous dog entered my house. I welcomed him with a treat and an open heart. While his owners were there, Dominik was excited and curious. He wagged his tail vigorously and gave out kisses.

After his owners left, his behavior changed. This is completely normal. It seemed like that was the moment he got confirmation of what he had sensed. He lay down all day, observing my habits. Just as Dominik studied me, I studied him. I gave him the necessary time and waited for him to feel ready to come to me.

After a strawberry and a few treats later (or rather the next day), he was ready to dive into the adventure of “New Friend.” Gradually, he started feeling more comfortable being near me. At some point, he even began seeking my attention. He would often nudge me with his paw, as if to say, “Hey, would you scratch me behind the ears a bit?” For me, this was a sign that he was ready to play.

Dominik loves having a ball thrown for him, but he doesn’t like bringing it back. For him, the saying “What I catch stays with me!” applies fully. He loves chewing on his ball but has no problem letting it be taken for another throw.

Another great joy for him is the sun. For the first time, I saw a dog “meditate” (in a doggy way, of course) in the sun. When I discovered this about him, I realized he likes to spend time with himself, pondering canine existential questions like:

• What is freedom? Is it connected to the garden where I can run or to inner peace?
• Why do I love? Why do I feel this strong connection to my people?
• What will happen when I leave this world? Will I become a human? Will I still be able to eat my favorite dog treats?