Devoted Dog Training

When I can home from an appointment on Saturday with my sick dog on my mind, Pirate was on the bed. Because I knew her so incredibly well, I just knew our time together was ending. I knelt on the floor and took her in my arms. She nuzzled her face into my neck, and for the first time ever in her life, she didn’t try to console me. She melted into my neck and I knew she needed me to come to her rescue, not vice versa. I tried to hold in my tears and comfort her, and told her i...t’s okay. I held her for about 5 minutes, she never removed her nose from my neck and we just breathed together. She happily put her harness on as we headed to the emergency vet. My sweet loving partner, Diana didn’t need to know what I knew in my gut. Diana was trying to comfort me of course... but I knew. We went to the amazing VCA in San Leandro and they respected my thoughts... ran tests and it turned out Pirate had a fist-sized mass in her stomach, which is huge for a 51 lb. dog. Pirate would always get so stressed about going to vet appointments that she would have to be muzzled or sedated. I knew that trying to fight cancer would be too awful for Pirate. I didn't want the rest of her life to be filled with stress, sedation, surgery, and vet visits galore. I wanted this beautiful soul to go out with dignity. It would be too selfish to try to keep her around just for us. Throughout her life, Pirate was an incredibly low maintenance dog, hardly ever had to go to the vet... and that’s not how her life needed to end. Pirate was a soulmate to me. She was the first dog I had who was just mine, just me & her. Pirate literally saved my life, more than once. At a time when I was at my lowest, Pirate prevented me from taking my own life, because I had her to take care of. In our current apartment, Pirate chased off a burglar in the building, and scared off a probable mugger lurking in the dark outside our building. She was amazing, and deserved for me to do the absolute best for in her end, as she well deserved. We take these beautiful souls into our homes and lives, knowing that we will outlive them. And some losses are far harder than others. With this one, losing Pirate, my heart has has truly taken a severe hit. During her 12 years on this earth, Pirate provided so much love to everyone who crossed her path. I've had friends come over just because they just needed Pirate's love to make them feel better. When Diana's stepfather was in hospice, we brought Pirate over, and she immediately jumped up into his hospital bed and wouldn't leave his side. She did this every time we visited him. Pirate was a therapy dog for so many. Big, huge thanks to everyonefor all of your caring words, flowers, gift cards, and an amazing Pozole. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. Diana and I are extremely grateful for your friendship and kindness.

It is with deep sadness and incredible heartbreak that we share the news that our beloved Pirate has passed. The star of the Devoted logo, Pirate was also the star of our lives. Her incredible empathy, love of learning and not to mention stellar good looks were just a few of the things that made her so special. The loss of Pirate feels insurmountable. She taught us so much about unconditional love. #fuckcancer

Beware of Rover!! Read below. We've also heard that their dog walkers enter your home, move the leash to look as if the dog was walked, then leave without doing the walk.

Juniper, a 4 month old Aussie Shepherd, is working on puppy training. @ Oakland, California

We love hearing about your dog training successes!! @ Oakland, California

Gus is a 4 month old Pug who is very excited about puppy training...and TREATS!! @ Oakland, California

QE (as in Queen Elizabeth) is a 17 week old Corgi, and she’s beginning her puppy training. @ Oakland, California

Daphne is a lovely 1 year old Frenchie/AmStaff mix, working on reactivity.

Islay is an extremely shy dog whose dedicated parents are doing everything they can to help her build confidence. Here she is showing amazing progress by sitting calmly in the presence of a stranger in her home, holding up a camera. Great job, Islay!

Rosie is a 4 month old Mini Australian Shepherd, doing great with puppy training and serving cute looks for the camera! @ Oakland, California

Felix passed the Canine Good Citizen test!

This sweetie is Boone, a Terrier/Beagle mix who’s about 1.5 yrs. old. He’s working on basic obedience and recall, and he loves to learn! @ Oakland, California