Scott Taylor was just such a person.
He came into our lives a few weeks after a certain brown labrador did.
And when I say came - I mean we begged him to come to our home and tame our wild thing.
He walked into our home, as he would on more than one occasion, hat on head, long hair in a ponytail, a twinkle in his eye and more insight into dog behaviour and how to manage it than we will ever know.
Scott is a large presence physically and emotionally.
He does not beat around the bush - he tells it straight. So he sat us down - without the dog and promptly dismissed any myths we had about dogs. "This is not a Disney movie - this dog does not love you" "Your family is a pack and Spanner will be wherever in the pecking order you let him" "This dog can be a jerk if you let him - your behaviour will determine that" "Teachers and Social Workers are the worst dog owners - way too soft!"
We sat wide-eyed and wide-eared and I frantically took notes (determined to buck the teacher/social worker trend)
And then he asked to meet Spanner.
In 30 minutes he tamed that little monkey into totally obedient submission. Spanner did things we did not know any dog could do much less a mischievous puppy. All of this in the family room. And Spanner was completely exhausted from the mental gymnastics Scott had him doing.
Our jaws were on the floor.
That was the start of our relationship.
For two years Allan and David (sometimes Lindsay and I too) drove to Point Grey to do dog training classes with Scott. Scott's friend Sue had bred Spanner and she and her dog Solo came too. David would help Sue with Solo while Allan worked on Spanner. Scott was the benevolent emperor of the room. Sometimes storming around barking orders and other times sociable and chatty. But always completely spot on with the dog training. Scott knew Spanners Mom (Tanka) and Grandad (Hudson) and he recognised the traits that needed work and helped Allan to manage them.
He would return to our home and do some on-leash training with me and the kids who struggled with 65 pounds of labrador when said labrador spied a squirrel, a person, a candy wrapper..... within an hour Scott had Spanner walking with us all and then off leash with him on Steveston Hwy - an unbelievable display of Scotts incredible wisdom and skill with dogs.
Scott died tragically a few weeks ago and we have carried our sadness around with us as well as many questions we wish we still had the chance to ask him. Today we joined an incredible mix of people to remember Scott - a man who had hardship and heartache but found a way to live out his passion and in so doing inserted himself into the stories of so many.
So much of enjoyment we have had with almost 6 year old Mr. Spanner was thanks to Scott and the hours Allan devoted to the training. Allan and Scott found a way to communicate and worked on some projects together. Allan the educator helped Scott the dog trainer to connect better with his clients while Scott imparted so much knowledge that Allan has so diligently used to make Spanner the delight he is to our family.
Scott will forever be remembered in this home. With gratitude and a few good stories.
Go well our friend
xoxo
Allan, Nicky, Lindsay, David and Spanner Hudson Byres
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