BUCKS COUNTY WOMAN
THOUGHTS
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
After the winter we had in Bucks County, I was pleased to wake up the first morning of spring and be showered by sunshine. I opened all of my windows; the warm air was refreshing, and the daffodils and crocuses were a sight for sore eyes. I rode my bike to a friend’s house—I found her planting a vegetable garden—and I fell in love with my little river town all over again.
Main Street was bustling, and children lined up at their local Rita’s for a free Italian ice—a tradition Rita’s has honored on the first day of spring since their inception. Along the banks of the river and canals, I watched as people walked their dogs—one even went for a swim.
I have always loved dogs; I was the child that asked my mother if we could trade my brother for a puppy. She said no, of course, and as a compromise, we rescued a kitten and kept my brother. At the time, I didn’t realize that my mother’s decision wasn’t solely to keep her only son, but that she also knew the amount of time required to care for and to train a new dog.
In my opinion, a properly trained dog is not only a pet— it’s a family member. Victoria Schade, dog trainer and author of Bonding with Your Dog, would agree. When I first spoke to Victoria on the phone, she mentioned that she had a ten-year-old Boxer, Sumner, and I instantly started to tell her about the fond memories I have of my friend’s Boxer, Tyson.
Tyson was a rescue, under nourished, shaved with stitches, and about half of his proper body weight when he was brought home from the shelter. He was timid, yet clearly thankful for being saved. As he began to warm up and to fill out, he became more and more playful and one of my favorite hiking companions. He wiggled his back end so hard when he greeted me that I thought it would fall off. The bond we had was amazing, as if he were my own. Victoria would have been proud.
Tyson on a California beach.
When I finally met Victoria in person at her shop, Life on the Leash, she had a calm yet energetic spirit about her, and it was obvious that she enjoys helping others to build a relationship with their canine companions. Victoria’s curious puppy-like spirit and boundless ideas, as well as her love of dogs, has paved her path in business and led her to her passion in life: working with dogs.
On the next sunny spring day, take some time to visit Victoria; she has more four-legged friends than anyone I know, and perhaps you’ll get to meet Amos or Gunner, a couple of her shop’s regulars.
Have a Happy Mother’s Day!
Janine Carroll
12 BUCKS COUNTY WOMAN
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