I don’t know how many of you know about Wallace but he is one of my biggest canine heroes. Yes, he is a pit bull. Yes, he was originally owned by a dog fighting ring. Yes, he was adopted from a shelter after being slated for euthanasia. These are all good reasons to put him up as a dog of note. Most dogs born into the world with those three strikes against them don’t make it through very well. That’s just fact.
However, even if Wallace had come from happier circumstances, the things he has achieved are pretty dang impressive. Most dogs don’t achieve the things he has. Most people haven’t made as significant a contribution to the lives of others as Wallace. I can’t help but admire the heck out of him and his human family for putting so much energy into something they believe in.
Jim Gorant, author of The Lost Dogs, wrote a terrific account of Wallace’s challenging start and his efforts to becoming a disc dog champion. I was a huge fan before I read it and am an even bigger one now – not just of Wallace himself but of the people behind him.
It takes a lot of solid work to claim the success of Wallace and his handler, Andrew Yori. Work and patience and confidence. Reading about their experiences highlighted for me why some people reach their goals and why some never will. It has nothing to do with background or money. It’s the willingness to sacrifice everything else, to find a way despite the obstacles, to shove everything else aside in order to accomplish one’s dream.
I don’t think I have that kind of single-mindedness. I know I don’t. But I am exhilarated by following the lives of those who do.
After watching some cool videos of pit bull weight-pulling contests on Something Wagging This Way Comes I remembered that weight-pulling was how Wallace got his start. While the dog waited in the shelter for his forever home, volunteer trainer Yori had the idea of harnessing him to a tire in order to drain some of his energy. It worked to some pretty awesome results and Wallace was eventually a champion of that sport as well.
Though this was several years ago, I figured there had to be some early videos of Wallace on Youtube and spent a few hours last night looking them up. Naturally, I have to share with you my favourite one. They are all worth watching but the one I loved the most is a compilation of all of Wallace’s achievements in weight-pulling and disc in under two years. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I did enjoy it…very much….thank you for sharing it!
Jan Keefe recently posted..Addendum to My Life of Pets in Photos II
Wallace is certainly a very athletic dog!! Frisbee and weight pull suit him very well and he obviously has a blast doing it!!
Karen Friesecke recently posted..Dog A Day Project – Friday Night Bath
Love it! I hadn’t considered the idea of weight pulling as a way to burn off excess energy before beginning other training.
But now I’m feeling terribly guilty for not giving Honey more interesting things to do. Wallace is pretty inspirational.
Thanks for the shout out.
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes recently posted..9 Reasons Blogging is Bad for Dogs
He’s got a very impressive list of accomplishments! I agree, I think a lot of why people succeed at something is because they have drive to do that and nothing else. Of course, some skill and training has to come in at some point, too. Finding that balance between what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about creates some pretty remarkable results.
houndstooth recently posted..Frozen Wonderland
Loved the vid.
It does annoy me when people judge a dog just because of it’s breed.
Now off to see more about Wallace.
What Wallace has accomplished says so much about the bond between him and his owner…remarkeable
Gizmo (@GizmoGeodog) recently posted..“BEHIND THE PAW” – WEEK #1 2013
What a very happy dog. It’s so great that someone saw his potential and was able to channel the energy into so much happiness and entertainment.
jan recently posted..Can you guess what this distinctive dog sculpture is made from?
Great video; thanks for sharing world-wide the message of great Pit Bulls in action. Pitties were the American baby sitting dogs in our early history of 1900′s all across America. They are a loving, loyal, family centered dog to enjoy and trust. Only when humans force them to fight do they have to change. Shame on all those who try to destroy the Pitties of the world!!!!
Wallace is a great ambassador for the breed. It’s hard to believe that these once prized all-American dogs are now stereo-typed as mean-aggressive dogs. Thanks for the video!
Kelly recently posted..I’m Doing the 52 week Money Challenge
I haven’t heard of Wallace before, thanks for introducing me to him… he rocks!!!! That was just absoultely amazing! Wow… and he’s such a cutie too!
Ann Paws recently posted..National Bird Day
Been a fan of Wallace for a long time. I adored him then, I adore him now for what he represented in his youth. Really inspiring. I think I’m finally nailing down what I want to accomplish with Elli the same way Wallace and Yori stuck to Disc and Weight Pull.
Ximena recently posted..New Year, New Start, New Goals.
that is a great video, what an awesome dog he is ! eat your heart out Border Collie fanatics
hehehe
jet recently posted..Boxed Mittens
Wow…that’s ALL I can think of saying… WOW
Shrads recently posted..Wordless(?) Wednesday
That’s an awesome video. I was amazed at the weight he could pull but not at the fact that he could overcome such beginnings. Dogs have incredible hearts which are typically capable of so much more than we are.
Thanks for sharing!!
Jodi recently posted..Trail Blazers
That was awesome! What an inspiring couple and dog! Now I feel really lazy:) Awesome post!!
Julie recently posted..Tales and Tails
There’s a pit bull down the block from me that I’m sure was rescued from a dog fighting ring. He’s awesome with people, but goes completely berserk when he sees another dog. He even attacked Our Best Friend once.
But at least he’s alive, and being given a chance. Three cheers for Wallace, who made it all the way.
one person’s view recently posted..Happy New Year
Awesome! No matter what the dog it is so cool to see them do their stuff, but it explodes when you see a dog like Wallace! Thanks for showing such a great video!!
24 Paws of Love recently posted..Canine Twister
How crazy, I was just at Chapters the other day and saw his book. I put it on the back burner for now because I had gone for two others, but now I regret not getting this one, too!
Sarah recently posted..Resolutions for 2013
Whoa, that is amazing! Wallace is so lucky he ended up with people who are so energetic and were able to expose him to the activities that would bring out his potential. Thanks for the inspiring post!
Kirsten recently posted..Winter in upstate NY and a very special meeting
Wallace has a fantastic story – he’s an ambassador for his breed! It’s unfortunate that so many people have misguided opinions about pit bulls. Clearly, they’re great dogs capable of accomplishing so much if they just have some help. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for sharing the video. Strangely enough, I just heard about Wallace for the first time a few days ago, because one of my friends just read his book and recommended it to me. Now with two recommendations, I had better put it on my wishlist!
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