In Loving Memory: Genny Riester
Sunday, February 10, 2008
By: Kim Riester

Genny is with her squirrels.

Genny, a sleek, stunning shepherd and greyhound mix, came to Animal Friends on January 26, 2004, when she was about six years old. Genny had been living with a homeless man who loved her and devoted himself to caring for her and teaching her to obey hand signals. But, when Genny became sick, he knew he couldn’t provide the care she needed. He brought her to Animal Friends for help.

When Genny arrived, she was vomiting and emaciated. The staff and volunteers worked hard to nurse her back to health, but little seemed to soothe her. In her cage, she exhibited what the staff called “cage pyschosis,” constantly spinning and showing her teeth. Few handlers wanted to walk her. However, I was too dumb not to.

I decided to help this beautiful dog. Kathy Reck, Animal Friends’ Behavior Coordinator, quickly realized that Genny was extremely well trained and even knew hand commands. She encouraged my work with Genny. I had no idea what the basic hand commands were for canine obedience training, so I went to behavior classes so I could learn what Genny already knew!

In the beginning, it seemed as though Genny was virtually unadoptable. Her bio at Animal Friends stated the facts as they appeared to be—that she "needed training" and should be adopted "only by the most experienced of handlers." 

But, as I worked with her, Genny began to show her true nature. She revealed an eagerness to learn and obey her handlers, and a warm, gentle and loving temperament. Shortly thereafter, her bio was amended to read, “Don't let this good dog get away—race to the shelter and adopt Genny today!”

But months went by, and no one raced in. My wife and I fostered Genny, and then adopted her in May.  Genny continued to excel in obedience classes, and even earned her Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certification. Genny became a therapy dog, providing weekly companionship to patients at the VA Hospital and nursing homes. Genny also volunteered at Animal Friends, serving as a friendly and well-mannered ambassador at Animal Friends’ Capital Campaign parties. Genny was always happy to get up and go, whether to the park, to visit my 87-year-old mother or enjoy several jogs per day. Her best trick was to obey the hand command for "pets," which indicated to Genny that she could approach a person, particularly a child or a hospital patient, and lower her head to receive a pat.

While we had trained ourselves not to spoil pets, Genny never took advantage of the situation when we did. We tried to constantly "love her up."  She never needed a treat, just a reassuring pet.

But, sadly, and possibly because she had not been spayed when she was young, Genny developed numerous cancerous mammary tumors. Genny underwent several surgeries to remove the tumors, but the vet always warned us that the cancer could spread. In March of 2007, her rear legs began to show symptoms of Degenerative Mylopathy, a neuromuscular disorder similar to Multiple Sclerosis in humans. During diagnostic procedures, cancer was detected in her lungs and liver.

Though she showed a loss of energy, Gen still enjoyed her walks and even ran after squirrels, which was her favorite sport, even though she never bolted unless she was given permission to do so, and she never caught or harmed a single squirrel.

Some people say that we gave Genny a good life. Perhaps, but it is we who were blessed to have her for three years. Gen gave us much more than we gave her, especially during the trying times. Gen was our "therapy dog." 

Mourning her loss has been especially hard since she was constantly by my side, off leash and dutifully obeying the "heel" command until I released her. During her time with us, Genny learned approximately 30 hand commands. More importantly, we learned to recognize her very recognizable facial features—for happiness, sadness, playfulness and pain. We thought of Genny as a 4-year-old child, who listened to every word and responded to those she recognized. 

On the afternoon before she died, Gen was chasing squirrels and happily visiting my mom. Sadly, during a three-hour period that evening, her cancer rapidly evolved. We had been told that we would know when the time came that she was dying. That was correct. Gen passed away from internal bleeding and the collapse of her lungs.  Thankfully, Dr. Steven Gross and his father, a fellow volunteer at Animal Friends, arrived in time to confirm the inevitable.

Genny peacefully died in our arms, in our home.  We are so thankful that she did not suffer for more than a few hours. She was buried wrapped in an Animal Friends blanket, with her Therapy Dog collar and toy squirrel. She has a natural tombstone bearing simply her name.

Genny is with her squirrels.