Training is going ok. Not great, but we're only a few days in. Having both dogs together is kind of working against me so I'm trying to train them one at a time, which makes for a very long day. Both dogs are challenging but I would say Sven is the harder one of the two.
Super soft, cuddly dog, you would never know that he has some really bad habits at only five months old. He has some major counter-surfing habits and resource guarding. He has stolen loafs of bread multiple times as well as other food and has an obsession over peanut butter. He guards whatever he steals, so his owners never can get anything away from him. Instead, they do a "trade" with a treat to get whatever they want back. Of course, this has only made both the stealing and the guarding worse, although I do understand that they were trying to be safe.
While he's been with us, he has attempted to steal as well. He's constantly up on the table licking it or trying to get some food. A few times, he has been successful! We've tried hard to guard the table and the counter, spraying him in the face with a squirt gun if we happen to have it nearby. But it's a really hard habit to break. It's going to take months to truly see a change.
I've gotten him to the point where he will listen to me now but that doesn't mean he won't try to steal behind my back or with others. So it doesn't really help to much that he only listens to me. But we will keep working on it!
And then we have Watson, who I do not have a picture of yet, who is easier and harder in some ways. Watson is more high energy than Sven and so they bounce off each other all the time. It is very hard to keep these dogs at bay to the point where they don't ruin everything we have. But at least he doesn't counter surf and when he's by himself, he's a little bit better, though i don't think I've ever seen him lay down and relax yet. It's been a difficult few days.
So how does this tie in with Holy Week? Well, it doesn't, haha. I realized I have to make room for Holy Week and not let the training take it over. I decided that every day I will try to focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries. So yesterday was the Agony of the Garden, today is the Scourging at the Pillar and so on. Perhaps if I can keep this one mystery in mind all day (or as much as possible), I hope to united with Jesus in His suffering so that I can get through mine.
Today I focus on the hours that Jesus had to endure His scourging. I have no idea how long he was out there, being scourged and mocked, but I don't believe it was a five minute thing. How long did he actually stand out there? Did they give Him breaks in between? While He was being scourged, did it take His breath away? What was He thinking with every blow? Was He thinking of all the sins against purity?
Training two dogs at once is nothing compared to Jesus's sufferings. But my own test comes when I have to be patient about my sufferings. That is where I suffer most--being patient.
So I wish you all a good Holy Week and to not let your sufferings become a distraction, but instead a way to unite yourself with Jesus. I take to heart what Jesus said to St.Faustina one day:
"My daughter, know that if I allow you to feel and have a more profound knowledge of My sufferings, that is a grace from Me. But when your mind is dimmed and your sufferings are great, it is then that you take an active part in My Passion, and I am conforming you more fully to Myself. It is your task to submit yourself to My will at such times, more than at others." (Diary 186/187
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