Joe's mother Dorothy (80 years of age) came for dinner one Sunday evening for the first time in 4 months. She had spent 3 months in a nursing home, then another month in her own home trying to regain strength in her left leg pertaining to an annoying blood clot.  The doctor finally gave approval for her to leave her house for a very needed home-cooked meal and conversation.

Dorothy always used a cane before her incident. But, for now, she had to use a walker to keep herself additionally steady. Lobo and his sister, Lily, were so excited to see Grandma Partch again. But, yes, there was something very different about Grandma this visit. …She was pushing some kind of gadget around I believe they called a walker? Lobo looked, as if to say, “Oh Grandma, I'm so excited! You’ve brought 2 of my favorite things with you this time. But, why do you have them on the back legs of this so-called walker?” As Dorothy made her way into the living room – Lobo was trying his best to grab the tennis balls off the walkers back feet. Now, that just broke us up. We didn’t notice at first until Dorothy said, “What in the world is Lobo doing? He’s grabbing at my walker.” He was obsessed with the 2 tennis balls and couldn’t figure out why they were stuck on this strange contraption.

All of the time we were having dinner that evening Lobo laid close to the walker trying to figure how to get the tennis balls free. ...I don't think we'll ever have another dog that's so good-natured and humorous has he.

“I have a German Shepherd that has immeasurable humor. At the most serious times he can make me laugh. Where could I ever fine such consolation for one's heart and soul?”