Spirit is my very best friend. I have other wonderful friends, dogs and humans, but to be honest, well, he holds the top position. I could tell you hundreds of reasons for his placement, but I guess it is mostly because he knows me better than anyone - and he still loves me! We don't have to pretend, or hide anything from each other.
We can catch each others eye, from across the room and pass an understanding between us, without saying a word. He knows when I am faking bravery and I know the same about him. Neither of us would ever tell. I understand the reasons for some of his worries and if he does not know the reasons for mine, he does accept them and he does all that he can do to help me work with them.
He laughs with me and he remains strong for me if I am sad. He trusts me as much as is possible for anyone to trust and the feeling is mutual. This dog is not only my right hand, he is a part of my heart and soul. If I have to check on a strange bump in the night, he somehow senses that, even though his hearing is not so good now. As I head down the hallway to check on something he suddenly, almost magically appears beside me.
He passes me opinions on people, good and bad. He tells me when I am expecting too much and he has the most amazing sense of humor! He plays tricks on the other dogs, just to be sure they respect who is top dog. He has so much love to give. He has taught me volumes about how to grow old graciously.
Spirit was one of nine White Shepherd puppies. His parents belonged to a man I worked with, in California. Spirit was a little smaller than the other males, but at 7 weeks he was already the top dog in the litter. He instigated all the play with new objects and he led the way to explore new places. When my older Shepherd, "Chaos" came outside to see the new puppies, they all cowered except Spirit. He stood his ground, sized up Chaos and barked at him. I kept three puppies over a weekend to make up my mind and it was not a difficult choice. Spirit's personality made him the winner. Everyone who met the puppies fell for Spirit.
His agility title certificates & ribbons covered two walls in my den. However, it was not always his winnings that were the most amazing thing about him. One time I got lost on an agility coarse and when I suddenly remembered the course I called out a direction to him, way too late. It was a triple jump, that was too close and at a bad angle. I called it before I had a chance to think about it. He never hesitated..... he made the most amazing jump you could imagine. He knocked the jump but it was a jump that no dog could have made and one that very likely no dog would have attempted. I just dropped to my knees and held him with tears in my eyes. Thank goodness he was OK. As I apologized to him, he was kissing away my tears with much concern. There is not much this dog would not do for me.
When I found out Spirit had hip dysplasia, he was seven. I did not have much money, but I had a house and I refinanced it. There was never a question in my mind about him getting the treatment he needed. He came through the surgery just great and we left the hospital with a whole medical team cheering him on. He makes friends where ever he goes. The following year he had the other hip done. Good years followed his hip surgeries. He was able to do some agility. As the years passed, he gradually omitted the obstacles that gave him discomfort. I ignored them too and we just passed by and did the things he liked doing. I owe nearly every brave moment in my life to him. It is hard to explain, but I am sure some of you probably have a similar connection with your best friend. He supports me in whatever I aspire to accomplish. So this is my best friend Spirit.
