Cinspets

Keory Klockwork

"Atlas"

Hi all, thought I would share the life of my feral boy, who is a bit of a star around my town :)

At is 5 in August 08, and what a life he has had!

I got him at 8 weeks of age, after almost not taking him because I didn't like the 'black' Bull Terrier. He was the only dog that paid attention to me, so he ended coming home!

he came into my house, when I still lived with my parents (I moved out 5 weeks later) and I also only had one cat at the time :)

We went to puppy pre school, where we got in trouble for At being too rough for all the other dogs, and we often got Time Outs for being a bully, but we did come top of the class for learning everything!

We started Obedience at the age of 5 months, he was a shit of a dog, he would not do anything I asked him to, if he was tired, or didn't feel like it, then that was it, he would drop, and not move, he would drag me back to the car, or just not pay attention. For my first dog, he was a bad choice!!

After time he finally got the hang of it, and I got the hang of him, what got him to do things, and learnt to read the signals so I could stop before he got to tired, or uninterested!! We even managed to spend 2 years in a Demo team for the club and attended 2 pet expos with him.

I started to look into things I could do with him, I tried showing, and he did pretty well, but I am just not a competitive person, and hated every second of being in the ring. I had heard about Delta, pets as therapy.

I did my research and on the 19 June 2005, he was an official Delta dog :) As far as I know he was the first Delta Bull Terrier in Australia (he got an article in the bull terrier clubs news letter, as I am not a member, I didn't get to see it.. if anyone has it, I would love to see?).

We went to a few different homes, he was VERY laid back, and was just happy to get pats, and cuddle people. I found the older people LOVED him and remember when Bull Terriers where THE dog to own when they were growing up :)

We got in the paper (one of the few articles in the local paper he has managed to get!)

Story in the local paper on the 29 Sep 05:

THERE'S A GOOD DOG:

By OLIVIA SARGENT

HE may look tough, but two-year old Atlas is just a big softie.
Atlas is a tri-colour bull terrier, and is one of the newest additions to the Delta Society Australia's Pet Partners Program visiting residents at Parkwood Hostel with his owner Terrorbull
To become a Delta Dog Atlas passed a number of temperament and obedience tests.
"I think he was bred for this kind of work," Miss TB said.
"He has got the perfect temperament and is the sweetest dog."
Miss TB said news of recent dog attacks inspired her to show what responsible owners can achieve.
"It is about how you bring them up," she said.
"I have been socialising Atlas since he was four months old at the Orange and District Kennel Obedience Club.
"He's been out and about with people and dogs since then, and has always been very placid."
In his spare time Atlas enjoys cuddling up with his friends Kaos, a six-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier, and his two feline friends Bella and Fanta, but Miss TB said he looks forward to his Saturday mornings.
"He loves a cuddle and we have so much fun visiting the residents," she said.
"They love him and it is great for us to get out to do something for the community."
Pet Partners Program central west coordinator Debi Coleman said dogs of any breed are welcome to be a Delta Dog.
"We are very happy to have Atlas and TB in our program," she said.
Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to ring Debi

He attended a few openings for different things, one was a pet expo, where we managed to get a few minutes on the news that night.. With my big tough bull terrier snuggled up to a pony!!

Sadly, due to lack of time, and reasons I wont go into here, we left Delta. Atlas missed it, but loved not having to have a bath once a week!!

Atlas also has stared in a few promotional things for obedience. He has been in two calendars, one he won a healthiest dog competition, and the other, his photo was selected to be in it (as well as Kaos, my Staffordshire bull terrier)
He has been in some Christmas cards, as well as general cards for the club as well, and ended up in the paper another 2 times because of that :)

He has been a pain of a dog, I could not count the amount of times I have had him at the vets, for eating bean bags, shoes, mirrors off my car (both of them), tables, sheets, bedding, toys, plastic, hoses and anything else he could get hold off, I even had to take him to the vet to get his pink blankie removed... it got stuck half way out.. Never been so embarrassed, walking into that vets, with my MALE BULL TERRIER, with his pink blankie sticking out of his bum...

Needless to say, I will never live that down in my life!!

At is mainly a pet dog now, I don't often take him to dog school, he doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as he used to, and rather spend him time at home snuggled up on the lounge. He now lives with 2 cats and another dog. The other dog gives him heaps, and he just takes it.

Here is a link to a You Tube video of him and her and what he puts up with! Atlas and Kaos

I am very thankful to the breeder, Keith from Keory Kennels for trusting me with one of his dogs. It was a big learning curve, but one I am very glad I took. 

I hope I can keep teaching people how wonderful these dogs are.

(While I typed this, He chewed a shoe, head butted me doing zoomies, humped Kaos and humped the garbage bin, what age do they grow up??)

List of things Atlas has eaten (Adding to this as I remember!)

• Review mirror on car X2
• Whole shoe and buckle X 3
• Bean bag
• Pink Blankie
• Dressing Gown
• Toilet Paper (whole rolls) X unknown amount
• Nemo (fridge magnet)
• Dvds
• Mail X 4 lots
• Assorted Bedding (His and mine)
• Cordless Phone
• Harry Potter, Book 5 and 7
• TV Remote
• ALL of his crate bedding
• My good boots
• 2 X GOOD jeans'
• Face Washer (he threw it back up later that night)