My Shrink is a Dog

June 29, 2024

Shadow was the first friend I made when I started living in Oregon for summers. He lived a mile away from me at the time. His mom was busy with her dog training business, so she hired me to give him exercise and attention. It was, and still is, a dream job. He’s moved to Forrest Grove and has a Dalmatian sister now. He and I take walks in Historic Forest Grove, which we both enjoy. He serves as my depth psychologist. I serve as his walking assistant. He is really perceptive with shadow issues.

For him the thrills are in the smells, the critters, and the action around the neighborhood. For me it’s all about the landscaping and architecture. There are a couple of trails that go through wooded areas, but we like to check out everyone’s gardens and the changes through the seasons. There are fruit trees that frequently offer low hanging fruit right above the sidewalks. This week we found ripe cherries waiting for us to discover (and eat).

Time I spend walking Shadow is as therapeutic as anything that I have ever done. He is a high quality listener who absolutely does not discriminate. He likes the songs I sing to him (because they are all about him). We are perfectly matched for walking pace. We create an atmosphere of delight on our walks.

His extremely well adjusted attitude is no accident. He lives with his family at his mom’s dog training studio. Jenn’s Dogs offers programs for a wide range of canines. Puppy Playtime is an introductory program for young dogs to experience a safe environment for supervised play. Programs to support more advanced training as well as systems to work with aggressive behaviors are all available.

I’m impressed with his behavior and leash manners. He has vocabulary buttons that can make his intentions clear. He’s a smart guy who loves to play. He’s a very well rounded dog who brings happiness to his family and friends. I am honored to be his canine companion.