My Dog Is Amazing!

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with brain cancer last April and I had to have a friend keep my dog Snowy. He is a white German Shepherd who is now 2 1/2 years old.

Recently, as I feel better, I have been having him for longer periods. Right after surgery, I did not see him for weeks. And every time I’ve had radiation, I am too tired to have him over.

However, it’s been a few months since my last round of radiation and my energy has improved. I have had Snowy over for longer and longer periods. In May, I had him for a few overnights, and today I am having him over for two nights. Assuming I continue to get better, I hope to eventually have him again full time.

What is amazing — he really picks up on what I need and is very responsive.

For example, I like to take him for walks in parks where I can let him off leash. He likes to explore, but he stays fairly close to me and comes when called. He is also non-aggressive with other dog though he likes to play if they’re willing.

Often the parks have water features.

Snowy loves the water and will emerge soaking wet. Sometimes he also ends up muddy.

I do not appreciate him shaking water on me when he is wet! It took about 4 tries before he got the message; however, he now understands what I want and he will stop a couple of yards away from me when he shakes. I may get a few drops on me, but that’s about it.

The other thing he’s learned to do — hold absolutely still.

The first time he was here overnight, the next morning I took him for a walk in the park and then I tried to hose him off by myself. Since the surgery, this was the first time I’d tried to do this on my own instead of having a friend help.

He was muddy and so I led him by the leash to the hose and started to wash him off. He immediately pulled and almost knocked me off my feet. I was upset and said, “Don’t do that! You almost hurt me!”

He seemed to realize what was going on because he then stood very still while I cleaned him off.

The next time I tried to hose him off — he stood still as a statue. Did not move one muscle until I was done. And since then I have hosed him off several times and he has never moved no matter how long it took me.

I find this dog amazing. He just constantly impresses me.

I can’t wait until I can have him with me full time again!

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This post was previously published on Shefali O’Hara’s blog.

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