Galileo at Erika and Jonathan’s wedding reception. Photo contributed
Galileo was born on Nov. 10, 2009 and selected at birth for training as a service dog for the blind. He spent his first few months with foster parents before being sent to school. Training to become an effective guide dog and companion for the blind is a rigorous challenge. While possessing almost all the special qualities and traits required in guide dogs, our kindhearted, gentle, bright student had a small issue with his attention span. As it turns out, dogs can have attention deficit issues as well. Not being a quality sought in seeing eye dogs, Galileo became available for adoption.
We had been looking for a German Shepherd rescue dog for more than a year before learning about Galileo. When he was described to us, we were immediately elated and wanted to meet him. We made the overnight trip to his school, arriving in the evening and looking forward to meeting him the next morning. When we arrived, we were asked to wait in an exam room where he would be brought. Until now, per the policy of the school, he was “sight unseen.” We had no idea what we were in for. After several minutes the door cracked open, pushed by a big black nose. He energetically entered the room and came right over to us. After a sniff or two, he sat down on our feet and turned his head up to look at us with his deep soulful eyes. As is said, he had us at “hello.” We instantly fell in love with him. So completely irresistible from the very first instant, he remains the same today. The most lovable, loving, intelligent, gentle, beautiful soul we could ever imagine a dog might possess.
Since the day we brought him into our home, now his too, he has been a blessing, a true joy, and a very important part of our family. He will always be a gentle, loving, caring companion, friend and guide to all our family. We have learned as much, if not more, from him as he from us. He has taught us patience, true and complete forgiveness, unconditional love, the nurture of touch and the value of just being together. We are deeply blessed to have him in our lives.