Matchmaker, Matchmaker ...

Kennel owner, Nicole Moore (left) socializes rescue dog Ella with her own dogs in the doggie day care area of Charlotte Kennels. Professional dog trainer Luann Van Leer (right) commands rescue dog Ella's attention.

...finding a match for Ella

by Deborah Parkhill Mullis

Nicole Moore and Luann Van Leer have already made two successful matches this year. Today they talk excitedly about a possible match for Ella, their first relationship challenged female.

Very petite with pretty brown eyes, Ella is an energetic, physically fit young girl that enjoys being active. After experiencing multiple rejections over the past three years, Ella is a little unsure of herself but Nicole and Luann will help her regain her confidence and composure. Not only are they matchmakers - they are life coaches.

In spite of her negative experiences, Ella still warms up to people. She still desires that human bond. That’s why Nicole and Luann will do all they can to make sure Ella’s next bond sticks.

They will give Ella a new outlook on life by coaching her and encouraging her until she learns to control certain behaviors like backing up when people approach her, jumping up and down when she gets excited and using the bathroom in the wrong place.

I should probably mention that Ella is a rescued Rat Terrier. That said, I should also tell you that Nicole Moore is the owner of Charlotte Kennels, a full service boarding, grooming and daycare facility for dogs and cats in Indian Trail, North Carolina and Luann Van Leer operates Shake-A-Paw Dog Training. In addition to running their respective businesses, they also make it their business to rescue, socialize, train and ultimately match up the right person with abandoned and/or neglected dogs - one dog at a time.

From a business standpoint, it’s expensive to rescue dogs, explains Nicole. "You give up boarding space, you have to feed them, buy beds for them, get them shots and training … it’s like it’s your dog," she said, admitting that her silent business partner helps her to keep her perspective or else she would fill up the whole kennel with rescues.

It’s easy to see how Ella benefits from a personal matchmaking situation as opposed to an impersonal rescue organization. There’s no competition - it’s all about Ella. The focus is on refining her until she is irresistible.

Ella’s re-education begins with an evaluation by professional dog trainer, Luann Van Leer. "Sometimes we are not certain of a dog’s true background. Some dogs will not show their true personality and temperament right away. Once a dog is with us for a while and starts to feel comfortable then they will show their true colors," she said. Then the work begins.

Socializing rescue dogs is very important, explains Luann, it builds their confidence and turns them into well-rounded dogs who will adjust better. This is why kennel owner, Nicole, turns her doggie day care area into a sort of charm school for canines today by bringing in her own pets to help Ella work on her doggie social skills. Ella will learn to get along with Jussy, an eight-year-old Australian Shepherd; Jill, a three-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix; and Lilly, an eleven-month-old Schnauzer-Poodle. Ella doesn’t have any problems with the other dogs.

Ella also gets to practice her people skills with employees who work at Charlotte Kennels as well as customers who come to pick up their own dogs. "If we try them out in different situations and we socialize them with many people, from children to older adults, we can better place them in an appropriate home environment," said Luann.

Luann calls for Ella. Ella comes running with her tail wagging but then she backs away. "She’s been moved around a lot, she’s unsure," notes Luann. Ella’s hesitation is no problem for an experienced trainer and soon Luann has Ella’s full attention and visa-versa. Luann is taken with the tiny terrier and toys with the idea of bringing her home for a few days and trying her out in her own family but then another dog visiting the kennel that day, Bonnie, comes outside to play.

Bonnie is a 3-year-old Miniature Pinscher attending doggie day care to run off her excess energy. Although Ella got along fine with Nicole’s three dogs, Bonnie and Ella are about the same age and close to the same size. They immediately click with each other. The two dogs have a blast playing together and before long the wheels start to turn in the minds of the two matchmakers … perhaps Bonnie’s owners will be interested in a second dog?

If not, Nicole and Luann will keep working with Ella until the right person falls for her.

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An edited version of this story was published in Union County Weekly, Feb. 29-March 6, 2008 issue.