If you have been reading my blog for a while you know about my now 8 1/2 month old Blue Heeler puppy Lucy. She was a shelter adoption and my fourth rescue dog. (You can click here to see “adorable” pictures of Lucy on the “My Babies” page).

She was and remains my greatest challenge and therefore, my greatest opportunity! Since the day I adopted her she exhibited severe aggression. How a grown person could ever be afraid of an adorable little 4 pound puppy - I couldn’t have told you…until Lucy!

You might also know that I am deeply involved in personal empowerment. As a matter of fact, my primary business is as a life coach - which is why you read so much about leadership skills here at the Dog Business Daily blog.

Lucy showing up in my life was not an accident. She provided an amazing opportunity for me to practice staying in the present moment. Her addition to my life helped me grow so profoundly in the 7 1/2 months we have been together.

The growth has had ripple effects into every part of my life. I will only bore you with one story… how she has brought me to new heights in my marketing strategies.

Stay open to the possibilities in what you perceive as “problems” and this universe will take the seeming worst circumstance and turn it into a beautiful blessing.

I am about to embark on a mission to find the Worlds Greatest Dog Trainer and in the process, demonstrate some amazing interactive marketing strategies that you can use to profit your dog care business. STAY TUNED!

For those of you who don’t know about Lucy - let me take this opportunity to introduce you to my little angel and begin the story of my search for The World’s Greatest Dog Trainer.

Even if you don’t know about Lucy, you should understand from reading my blog that I have a passion for dogs. I believe they have been created to help raise the consciousness of the world.

I adopted Lucy - some would say on a whim, I call it inspiration. I visit my local Humane Society often to hug and love the dogs at the shelter. I always want to bring at least one dog home with me but usually leave with empty arms.

On my visit on November 15, 2007 I knew I was going to get a puppy. When I met Lucy, it was done! The Lee County Humane Society has a great adoption process that to my dismay would require me to return late the next afternoon for their first available adoption time slot.

I witnessed Lucy’s aggression for the first time before the adoption. Immediately filled with doubt and fear, I asked if she had been separated from her pack because of behavior issues. I was assured she had not been separated.

I later found out the entire litter exhibited aggression - Lucy was the most severe.

An 8 month long story short - Lucy’s aggression issues led me to two of the worlds best trainers found right here in my community. First, Chris Adams of Oak Bowery Kennels, Opelika, AL and Maria McCausland, D.V.M., one of my vets at Parkway Animal Hospital in Auburn, AL.
Between Chris and Maria I have developed the skills to control Lucy’s aggressive tendencies to keep her, my other three dogs, myself and others safe.

While going through these first 8 months I experienced a great deal of doubt and fear.

The first few months I was being attacked by Lucy almost daily. I doubted whether I was the right person to handle this type of dog. Part of her aggression issues are simply her breed. A Blue Heeler is in charge of herding cattle - she has to be tough.

She is bred to control her environment and if her human pack leader is not strong enough - she would control me too.

Open to the experience and opportunity for me to learn and grow I allowed the right teachers to come into my life. You know the saying, when the student is ready. I had been going to Parkway Animal Hospital for almost 9 years and hadn’t had the pleasure of working with Maria.

Maria was the vet on duty that November day when I left the humane society and drove straight to the clinic. The journey had begun.

I ultimately have gained the pack leader position and in the process an inspiration for an amazing marketing strategy.

Bookmark this site - you don’t want to miss the amazing integrative marketing lesson we will unfold over the next few months.