Two years with my new best friend….

Today is exactly two years since I brought my new bestie home that is my lovely German Shepherd pup, Oscar.  When he came home I was able to carry him in and out of the car, now there is no question of that. He is big and powerful but yet we connect effortlessly.

Oscar has been my second chance.

Second chance to live again

To love again

To feel again

To say us again

To have a family again

Oscar is my second gift from God.

My first gift being my father.

Oscar is my perfect silent companion. Most people have ‘normal’ families, you know the one with a partner and children, mine has always been unusual, it has always been just me and my dad, and now Oscar, and my dad.

Oscar was in a figment of my imagination more than five years before he manifested into reality. I remember having a German Shepherd, black and tan, short haired dog on a poster on my office whiteboard with Oscar Patel written on it. The universe and God were listening.

Two years on, Oscar is more than what I could imagine and I love him to bits. To say this big tiger dog has enriched my world is an understatement. He’s far exceeded that.

So what I have I learnt from this four legged handsome dog of mine?

Just be and enjoy, whether is it walking in the field in the pouring rain or kicking football or playing fetch or find. Just be.

He feeds on my energy and I on his. Thankfully, most of the times we are both quite calm but we both have a childlike quality, I only discovered mine recently! My dog is not a foody but he loves to play and please me.

A good soul once shared this quote from a German Shepherd…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good friend suggested I add to this the following sentence to finish this quote.

NOW GO AND EARN MY TRUST!!

Every day I try to earn his trust and respect. I am not his owner but his temporary human custodian entrusted to take care of him, and to learn from his majestic presence.

In our two years of living together I have never cleaned the house as much, I have never had to do so much washing up, and I have never walked as much. I have had a few falls while being pulled, bruises and a broken a finger but what started as a scary ‘project’ and though, like life it is always work in progress, Oscar and I are now in sync. He has been my most adventurous, and at points, seemingly dangerous enterprise thus far.

As I said to another friend, when we run together it is like there is a rhythm and perfect harmony. There is no tension through the lead, just light like feather as if we’re both running free.

He is my running partner and my personal pacer. He came to me to give me something I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t find him he was sent. Even his arrival into my world was thanks to a good friend who saw Oscar’s pregnant mum in a park while on a walk. This wasn’t a chance or a coincidence, it was carefully choreographed and a divine intervention just at the right time, and in the right way.

This dog is truly a living breathing ball of joy. When I walk with him I feel I am walking next to a gentle tiger.  He is considerate, loyal and he never complains.  Anyone who has a dog will know these dogs are just brilliant family members.

This soul has far exceeded my expectations set out in the poster on my office whiteboard. God gifted me with a zen dog to make me smile again. Thank you God, thank you Dad, and thank you Oscar for coming into my world as a ray of sunshine.

Oscar means God’s spear, or champion warrior. The name originates from the Irish culture. Given that Oscar’s parents were raised by a Muslim and Sikh family, and he now lives with a Hindu in the heart of Yorkshire his name Oscar Patel is quite appropriate.

So,  after the first year of holding my nerve and living in fear of what have I gone and done, I can now say saying yes to Oski is the best decision I have made in the last 10 years.  A lot of wonderful people helped me and still continue to help me enjoy my dog, not least the wonderful dog trainers, and behaviourists from the German Shepherd Training Club in my city, but also Rory who takes Oscar on his adventures. Oscar has a second family in Bradford where he is always given a warm welcome and I can honestly, say without these good people I doubt we would be where we are today. So, a big thanks to these fabulous people for being in our corner ❤.

Happy two years to my new bestie.  In case you are wondering who my first best friend was it was, and is my dad of course:) It was my dad who inspired me to get a German Shepherd because he had one, and so the dots join up as everything is connected.

Thanks so much for reading this blog. May you find and have the joy I am blessed to have.

The Christmas advert comes to mind, a dog is not just for Christmas it’s for life. Don’t undertake this unless you really are committed to giving your dog a loving home.

Peace be with you.

©DMP