Ping An Wong

Ping An’s life began auspiciously enough:  one of five puppies and the favorite of the breeder.  Being a clean slate, I wanted Ping An to start obedience training early and with the best trainer I could find.  Fortune smiled on Ping, and she began training with Nikki Litwin.

Within weeks, I knew something was not quite right with the puppy.  She slept too much; she would look through me, not at me.  Nikki noticed some peculiarities as well, especially in Ping An’s lack of eye contact and lack of focus.  Her “heels” and “stays” were pretty dreadful, but I blamed that more on the owner than the dog.  In reality Ping had a liver shunt and the toxin buildup played tricks with her body and brain.

The liver shunt surgery was not a total success, but I think it helped Ping An over the top.  Her veterinarians did not seem too optimistic about her long term survival, but she has proved them wrong. Special diet, medication and sheer tenacity has kept her alive.  Nikki worked with Ping An before surgery, post surgery and continues to work with her today. 

She has grown up to be quite a character, stubborn and willful with a penchant for chewing stiletto heels.  But then, that is just normal pug behavior and encoded in her genes.  Her cuteness is her saving grace and for that face, all is forgiven.  Helen might have launched a thousand ships, but Ping An has launched a thousand pardons.

On Nikki’s recommendation, I started Ping An in agility.  If you want a good laugh, observe a pug on an agility course.  Imagine her up against an Australian cattle dog….no matter, Ping is having a good time and this gives her exercise, focus and just plain fun. She is training again under Nikki to help her focus which should improve her agility training.  We will continue to do this as long as we can. 

Ping An is beginning to lose her vision, but as long as I don’t move the furniture, I think we are going to be okay.  If she can hear me, I will be able to guide her over the agility course (I hope).  As for obedience, lack of vision is no excuse for poor behavior and I will always expect her to be a lady.

Nikki says that there is no such thing as a perfect dog in obedience.  I could say Ping is brilliant, but she isn’t.  Ping An’s “heels” are still mediocre at best.  She does not sit squarely and the list could go on and on.  However,  Ping An is perfect.  The way she lives her life should be the envy of all living things.  She has defied the odds for life.  She is happy; she loves and is dearly loved; each day is a new day of discovery and joy.  Isn’t that perfection?

Thank you Nikki for believing and having faith in her.