Monday, October 22, 2012

Uba, NW1

Five years ago I was pretty sure that all I would ever know was the plain concrete box I lived in. I was just a little pup, not even six months old, when they took me and my cousins away from the life we knew in the woods and put us in boxes. I started to forget who I was. I forgot about the woods I used to live in and that there was anything outside my box. Some of the other dogs forgot themselves before I did and believed that the box was all there was. Hector didn't forget and he would bark at the people that hosed us and our boxes and it would remind me that once I knew something other than the box.

Five years ago the kind man called Tim climbed up to my box, opened the door and asked me to come out. I was really scared because the box was me and I was the box. I couldn't remember what was outside the box.  Tim reached in and lifted me down to the ground and patted me with kind hands and that was the first day of my freedom. 

Freedom sounds wonderful, but when all you know is a box, freedom is overwhelming. My mom, Lulu, and all my friends spent a lot of time explaining to me that there is nothing to be scared of and that they would keep me safe. They called me “environmentally sensitive” and one friend who helps humans called veterans said I was like her patients who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With help I got brave at home, at pit ed class, in wild places and in a few other places, like Jonny's house. New places stayed scary.

One day we went to a new school where Audie's mom showed us a new game. I didn’t want to go inside the school or eat hot dogs. I was too scared to pay attention. We kept playing the game with the hot dogs and one day I was so interested in using my nose that I started to forget about being scared.  After lots of practice I learned to find birch oil, anise oil and clove oil instead of hot dogs and I got brave enough to look for the oils in different places. When I go to new places now I wonder if there might be a search to do and I don’t want to melt in to the ground so much.
This weekend I gave myself and my mom an early five years free present and earned my NW1 title. I got scared a few times, but I found all the oil and told my mom where it was. The judges gave me two special “Ps” which stands for pronounced and means I was extra good at working with my mom.   
Uba, NW1

32 comments:

skreidle said...

Uba, we're all so proud of you! :D

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

No words to say...

Just wanted to let you know you are read.

Glad there are folks out there to free beautiful creatures like these and give them new homes.

Thank you for the story.

Anonymous said...

Oh Uba! I love you and your stories so much. So proud of you and your accomplishments! You are awesome!

Debra@Peaceabull said...

Huge congrats to you, Uba! We are so happy for you and your Mom.

Christina Berry said...

Uba, you are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Oh my dog, starting the day with tears at work...you're so brave Uba!

Anonymous said...

Oh Uba - we love you and that nice man Tim and all that BADRAP does for you and your fellow pitties!

Merlin Wylt said...

Congrats! (and I love that framed photo of you)

c.creativity said...

Good for you, Uba! I'm so glad nose work has helped make you feel less like melting out in public places. I'm glad that nice folks like Tim helped you become more than the box and now you get to know there are good things in life, too, like your treadmill! Keep up the good work, handsome boy!

Donna said...

Thank you for this story. Needed it today! Just beautiful, and so proud of Uba!!

Donna Lorraine said...

proud and happy for you Uba and for your Mom too xx

Anonymous said...

Uba, you have come a long way thanks to some truly great and committed people who never gave up on you. The saving of the dogs from Michael Vick's dog fighting ring is truly inspirational on a daily basis and your happy endings never cease to make people smile. I hope you have a lot of fun this Saturday at the hoedown and that the victory of saving all you dogs five years later continues to inspire the people that care and continues to be cause for celebration and showing the world that the dogs in dog fighting rings are truly the victims and deserve a second chance when dog fighting rings are busted and that all dogs are individuals and should be treated as such.

Anonymous said...

We love you Uba. God bless you and your mommy! So happy you all have come so far in 5 years... We will never forget... Dawn & Nathan Ryan

Anonymous said...

Love love love you Sweet Uba!!!! You are amazing :)

cambridgeratmom said...

Uba, you have done so well and come so far. I can't imagine how frightening everything must have been for you after living in the box.

But you and your brothers and sisters in the other boxes are survivors. Congratulations to you and your mom for knowing that you could do it. And extra special thanks to all the people who believed in you and helped you get here. Kisses on your beautiful nose.

The Vicktory dogs rock!!!!!

rachel kesel said...

Way to go, Uba! I'm so happy for you and your awesome, dedicated mom. You've really come a long way, little guy. xoxox

LoriAnn0523 said...

Way to go Uba, you handsome devil! I'm so glad you are able to get out and about and hopefully experience all the love we have for you. I love the framed photo of you! <3

sp said...

you are awesome uba!

my foster dog, carlos, loves to play hide & seek with his tennis ball. he sniffs out it's hiding place EVERY single time - even when we perched it on top of a door! next time we play this game we'll think of you and your tremendous nosework success.

PoochesForPeace said...

Uba, I'm so proud of how far you've come. You are an inspiration. Keep up the good work :)

Angela said...

well done, Uba! We love you :)

Angela said...

well done, Uba! We love you :) so proud of you!

anabolio de lima said...

OU YEAH !!! You are the best Uba !!!

Brandon Hughes said...

This brought tears to my eyes reading again about your past but then a huge smile when reminded of the incredeible people who helped you and the rest of the Vick dogs recover, and your mom who's helped you go much further than anyone could have imagined initially. Bravo to you Uba!

Lisa Scarsi said...

Way to go Uba!! When I read "Lost Dogs" I just couldn't believe it happened . . . but it did. What is even more amazing is how you and so many of you pups go on to have great lives and give back to humans even though your start was soo rough. I love keeping track of what you and the other Vick dogs have done. I do what I can to help your breed with my work too. If you are ever in LA, look me up!! I'd love to meet you. info@lisascarsi.com

dog said...

ah ha, ! i am very happy for you and your Mother!

Unknown said...

Love you and your stories.

Leona said...

Just wonderful to read about Uba...bless your little heart!!! and bless all the people who cared and loved you to help you in the new adventure called freedom.

karma dla psow said...

Love dogs! Thanks for your site!

Raleigh Dog Trainer said...

Congratulations Uba! So glad you found a loving family. You deserve it!

Unknown said...

omg! my dog jagger is Uma's twin!!!

igg.me/at/jagger/x/2553399

Anonymous said...

Uba is a wonderful looking dog and so glad that a new home was found that provides love and an opportunity to be a real dog!

Thank you for rescuing him.

Tygre Mann and Princess Abbie Mann said...

Pawsome job precious creation and I am so happy for you!