My name is Joan Hogue and I am very excited about this opportunity in my life. I love dogs so much my ex-husband had given me the cute nickname of "the dog_vocate". I have been a animal enthusiast since I was a child tuning into Marty Stouffer's "Wild America" and Mutual of Ohmaha's "Wild Kingdom" every day. When I was 10 years old my dad brought home a female puppy for me, and he did not have her spayed. She ended up having 10 litters! She passed at 10 years old from stomach cancer. It was deemed my responsibility to take care of her and all of those litters at a very young age, so I started walking neighborhood dogs to foot the bill. At 14 I got a job because it was also my responsibility to pay for all of the needs for all of the animals. It gave me more hands on experience than I cared to have at such a young age but it also gave me the love and appreciation for dogs, and I learned the "dog language" (that I would not have gained any other way) that I share with dogs today. I starting formal dog training lessons at the age of 7 at Ohlone dog park in Berkeley, and continuing on in practice for all of my life including dog walking, dog sitting and helping others rehab their (human) behavior in order to have a happier life with their dogs. When I was 27, I found two stray puppies (about 3 months old) under a car in East Oakland and they changed my life. Because they were Pit bull/Shepard mixes, my landlord of 7 years decided that he did not want them in his property. He gave me the choice to get rid of the dogs or move out of my home. I decided to move out of my home, (into my car) as a result of that we were homeless for 3-4 months, moving through northern California. But long story short, I kept them both together all of their lives. Years ago, I used to take my 2 dogs to the convalescent homes in Oakland to visit the older people to brighten their days. I have put much effort in to teaching my children how to work with dogs, and I am very proud to say that none of my children are afraid of dogs and we go visit dogs at the North Bay animal shelter all of the time. We also work our dog into educating children about the joys of living with a dog by bringing our dog to my children' classes so that other children can interact with her and possibly reduce any fears they may have. We are also working to become official volunteers at the animal shelter. I take my dog to visit the dogs who don't get walks and they run back and forth next to fence with each other until they are tired. I have attached some photos of my life with dogs. For the past two years I have been a stay-at home mom and a dedicated university student working towards my Bachelors of Administration, however yesterday my husband and I made the choice that I needed to break from school and jump back in to the world of the employed to help support our family of six. I have been asking my self what are the things that I really have a passion for and a the top of my list is dogs, the next two are dance and yoga. I am looking for part-time work in something I love, and animals are just that. I am mom to four children and six pets, 1 dog, 2 cats, and three snakes. We adopted our dog from the Solano County Shelter last December after my two dogs of 14 years passed from age on-set illnesses. Milan and I just wanted to share this story with you. Much love and inspiration for me to follow my dreams as the friend to the dogs that I am. I know that I share the gift of understanding dogs on a very feeling level and for the humans in the world who are with me on this I am so compelled to thank. So,
Thank you, your friend for all of our lives...
Joan Hogue....aka ,LLC
