Big Bo, Bad No More

This 116 -pound, 3½ year-old, hair-shedding and loud-barking hulk has roamed through my little house, car and clothes for about seven months now. Before his arrival, I had just completed the remodel of my cottage style house with hardwood floors throughout and special paint applications, and the tiny yard was lush with new plantings and irrigation. Just a couple years prior, I lived in detailed perfection and had a housekeeper.  

Vinnie of New Jersey was a Vietnam veteran with various mental and physical problems, and he was my neighbor. He adopted Bo at the Los Angeles Animal Shelter after his beloved German Shepherd of many years died. He and Bo lived in a rented one-bedroom duplex with no fenced yard. Bo traveled and spent many hours in a covered dune buggy-type vehicle.  When Vinnie had to see doctors in LA, his buddy would walk Bo. I told Vinnie that I would take care of Bo if he needed help.  I was speaking of emergency situations, but it ran through my mind that if something incapacitated Vinnie or he died, I would take care of Bo. I had no reason for these thoughts. As a young girl, I loved German Shepherds. I always planned to have another dog one day but probably something mid-size. Then came the day when I received a call telling me that Vinnie had died unexpectedly. I told them not to do anything with Bo because I would take him.

I brought Bo home, and we proceeded to get acquainted. I’m 60 years old, and he’s a strong dog. I wasn’t afraid of what he might do to me, but I was afraid of situations. Bo had a problem with other dogs. And he was not a peaceful dog. I became a nervous wreck with the drool, barking, hot spots, no eating, and hair all over my house. His walks with me were enjoyable but time consuming. What had I done? Should I actually keep this dog? I connected with several agencies, and my inbox was full of messages from people wanting to take Bo. But nothing sounded good enough, and finally I decided I couldn’t let him go. This would be his third move.

My friend in North Carolina told me about Judy Moore and her DVD. I found her website and learned she would be having a clinic in my region in a week! I watched her DVD, read the book and registered Bo for the “dog only” one-day portion of her clinic. I registered to audit the clinic for that day to help me understand the process for helping Bo. At that point I hadn’t totally made my decision about him. I began to relax with the idea of keeping Bo when I was reminded that I was his caretaker and didn’t haveto keep him. But the final decision came with Judy’s class. With all the trauma and unknowns in Bo’s life, he was an extra nervous dog. Judy thought she had asked me to bring a muzzle, but I didn’t have one.

She worked with Bo twice that day and had to take him a distance away from the group so he would focus. He was big, strong and nervous. Maybe even Judy was a bit uncertain. Bo’s second session was the last event of the day. She had him doing every command she gave him, including Stay off-leash. She did have to manage him into a couple positions, and that took some strength. (Judy owns and loves German Shepherds also.) She walked Bo back to me and (while catching her breath) said that Bo didn’t have a mean bone in his body. She said he could have “nailed” her several times but simply performed as requested (sometimes looking back trying to see me). Judy said Bo was sent to me, and I was sent to Dialogue®. I knew in my heart that she was exactly right. I drove the two hours to home relaxed, excited and ready to accept the challenge of a new life with Bo.

I can’t imagine not having Bo. For now, he’s the man in my life. He is so much better about dogs now, and I have gained confidence in handling him. Some friends may have to adjust to a wet nose, a drippy tongue and wagging tail. This is Bo’s home, too, and we come as a package. His clock tells him when it’s ball time. We have about a 30 x 5 foot field on the side of the house. That, with an extra large patio, makes up my entire backyard. This “ball field” has several ferns and camellia plants. I’ve only lost one plant, and that was at “home plate”…….didn’t need it there anyway!

But besides all these fine, warm events, Bo has an important job in this world which, of course, he performs faithfully. My five-year-old niece doesn’t live with either of her parents. Mostly her grandmother is raising her, and I often keep her on weekends. Before I got Bo, she would often be in a bad mood when I picked her up…..she could be nasty and didn’t want to talk. Now, she can’t wait to see Bo (he’s usually in the vehicle) and talks non-stop. She’s barely awake in the morning when she’s out looking for Bo, who’s with me in the kitchen. She lies all over him, his bed and my carpets, leaving hardly an inch of her clothing without his hair. After a two-week stay this summer, I told her I would miss her. She said she would miss me, too, but MOSTLY Bo. She always tells him she loves him and what a good boy he is. When she holds HIS toy and tells him to sit, he’s at attention. 

Once when leaving in her father’s truck, she called out for me to tell Bo that she loves him. This from a little girl who wouldn’t give hugs or kisses. Just yesterday I received a willing, BIG hug goodbye.  Maybe these things would have come about in time anyway, but Bo made it happen NOW. Many of us believe the Good Lord provides whatever we need…..and it’s my belief that’s why I have Mr. Bo.

Sharon, California