A Little Fable - Page 42

Jackie, were you referring to pictures of Galaxy?  The online advert has now been translated into every possible language.  I especially like the Danish version.    Galaxy is probably the worst tracking dog I have had.  He thinks everyone standing out there in rubber boots came out just to see how beautiful he is.  One thing though he does not miss:  any drop of blood on my body, he will be sniffing around like crazy and want to dig for it.  The other seems also cancer.  It is not only on me but my late father's cancer that Galaxy detected.  The USCA wrote an article on him and I can send it to you by pdf.

Galaxy is now 11 years old and is not only my house dog but also our office dog.  He looks great for his age and has become a legend in our neighborhood in his own right. Susie (yes OUR Susie) was his handler at NASS in 2007.  I had just finished with chemo and had a break before radiation and Galy, Susie and I did NASS.  I could not double handle and he lost 4 places.  Susie did a tremendous job handling him and also did the free off leash with him. His bitework was super. 
While undergoing chemo, a local trainer asked me if she could take Galy to audition for a Eukanuba online commercial.  Galaxy wound up being Mr. Fiber. 

Here is the link to the ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANcDahY_L-k

Since this time, I have had 2 wonderful young dogs that were intended to succeed my old ones (Eischa and Galaxy) succumb to cancer before they reached 4 years of age.  My old ones survived the young ones and I am sure that the fact that these dogs were in my hands had a purpose.  The young male, was bred to a Galaxy daughter.  Had I known that the male would soon be diagnosed with lymphoma, I as a rational being would not have agreed to allowing him sire a litter.  I did not know though.  And today we have the only line out of these two very special males.  The puppy owners, all had previous experience with GSDs and all report back to me that these are the best dogs they have ever had.  One is Bardulf von Degenhard owned by GSD Newbie, who is a Service Dog.  She comments on this forum from time to time.  This dog is from his head a Galaxy look-alike.  GSDNewbie says his character is much like Galaxy's.

This photo of Galy was taken last week during our ice storm.  Both Galy's and my time is precious.  It is now all about making good memories.

May you and your family have a peaceful and joyous holiday season.  With both of our hearts, Maren and Galaxy 





 

Thank you so much for sharing the ad & Galaxys picture with me! Galaxy is both handsome & accomplished! I would love to read the article; my girl, who detected my cancer, comes from a line of female GSDs who have detected several medical issues...her dam would alert to my low blood sugars, & her granddam discovered her owners thyroid cancer. There is currently a research study at University of Penn using working dogs to detect ovarian cancer, which is genetically very close to my cancer. Their question was not could the dogs detect, but what were they detecting? Was it a change in their owners body chemistry, or was it the cancer itself?  So far, the dogs have a >90% success rate at detecting the exact cancer they teach them to look for. Marvelous results! And Susie was Galaxy's handler at NASS! I wish I could have been there! I would have loved to meet you both! You are an inspiration to me, with such accomplishments during your treatment!  I'm sorry to hear that time is now precious to you, & to Galaxy. I pray your days are full of light & happiness & love, & your nights are cozy, & restful. I hope your Holidays are Joyful, Happy, & Peaceful as well, And I'm glad that you have Galaxy with you still, handsome boy that he is!!! Best wishes, jackie harris  

My concern about posting was that it would appear to be bragging.  In all humility Jackie, the accomplishments were only temporal.  The real accomplishment has been the relationships I have with my dogs.  I feel that they have made me prove myself and show character.  I have once written about my first dog that I adopted that I tried to emulate her strength, beauty, loyalty, optimism and devotion.

Having these wonderful creatures at our feet is humbling. 

In mentioning precious time, I mean, that after my illness all time is special and I have become extremely aware of my own mortality.  At one point, I was worried that I would depart before Galaxy.  Now, I know I will outlive him.  I am enjoying every minute together.  I am not concerned about the separation as much as I would have been before the illness.  At least I know he is safe until his end with me.  I know there is something beyond us and I know that what I do now counts. 

I promise we will be warm and cozy and we will be thinking of you and your getting well.

Maren and Galaxy

The instincts to be a medical service dog, or to detect health problems do seem to run in certain lines. Galaxy is an Ursus son, and my service dog, Star, is an Ursus grand-daughter. Her brother also became a medical service dog.

I can't say she's shown the ability to detect illnesses, though, but she is very sensitive to how I'm feeling, and will come and comfort me when I'm down.

Sunsilver:  I personally believe it has to do with having a relationship with the animal, regardless of genetics, being able to communicate with one another and having learned how to understand one another beyond words.  A dog in a kennel, cannot do this.  Galaxy was raised from 8 weeks at my side as I had a virtual office at the time.  He has a huge human vocabulary in both English and German.  He also has a tremendous amount of facial expression.  He show us this every day. 

As each living being is different, each will have its own way of communication.  Galy is rough and determined if it means being disobedient.  Not all dogs are like that.  He is Alpha all the way.  He is not the one that feels he needs to cajole me when I am down.  He rather ignores me and engages what is to his advantage.  Dogs are the greatest manipulators on earth.  I also think that one day it will be proven that their intelligence and realization of their world is far deeper than what we believe.  And this is most likely with all animals.  They just don't speak human.

They do try, though!    And the more time we spend with them, the more we learn to listen to what they are saying.

My Kali, I swear, knew what I was thinking. Our bond was that close. She was at my side from 9 weeks old. I don't find any Ursus in her pedigree, she is line bred on Fanto & through him Lasso...she passed away almost 2 years ago to a cancer similar to mine...I know she's with me still. Her daughter is a very good girl, but she doesn't quite fill her dams pawprints, although I love Ansgar very much. And she alerted to my cancer....I think you are correct, these dogs know so very much more than we give them credit for. Kali's command of vocabulary was astounding-whether she knew the words or just understood the tone of voice, I don't know...or maybe she could read my mind. jackie harris

I don't try to evaluate the dogs in this way that have entered my life.  I see each one as having given me a leg up and gotten me further in my life.  My Eischa was my weakest link and really when you get down to it, the most egotistical.  She plainly stated that she could not live without me.  But we managed and I loved that dog to death.  Having a dog that is "free" such as Galy is a once in a lifetime gift.  He just is so well rounded.  I don't compare because in actual fact, I learned the most about dogs by having had  a weak link.  Then you can really appreciate what it means to have a dog with good genetics, health, instincts, intelligence.  Eischa would do anything for me.  On the outside a perfect performer.  On the inside, a dog that only wanted to please ME.  The juxtaposition is Gally confident and always testing.  Mind games all the time but absolutely sound environmentally.  Very predictable and social.  The 2 under one household.  I am so lucky to have been a student of these 2 dogs.  The "tough" guy however had the language and had an opinion and was determined enough and knew he was right.  The weak female only cared about my protecting her. 

My female was not perfect, she seemed to care most about protecting me, us, & especially my grand kids. She knew so much more than I taught her, I didn't have the experience to understand how that was happening, I decided it was instinct. I truly was her student, & she was an exciting dog to learn from.  My male, Beckett, is confident, but kind of lazy...if he can get away with it. I was introduced to Schutzhund through him & his breeder, but his hips are dysplastic & that limited how much we could do... Not to mention that finding a new sport in my 50's was not easy on the knees, etc, and after several orthopedic surgeries I had to limit my own participation. My younger girls learned tracking, & enjoyed it, & have a little OB, but no protection work...but they are both game players, & keep me on my toes....each has their own personality, & I enjoy them all. Kali was my first, my teacher, & my protector, so willing & took such joy in everything she did, she is difficult to replace in my affections.
I am glad that your time is precious in that sense, we should all hold our days & minutes as invaluable....none of us know what tomorrow will bring. My work as a Hospice nurse may be drawing to a close, but that one thing is one of Hospices gifts to me....value every minute, waste none. Best wishes, jackie harris