• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Home Garden Joy
  • Home
  • Gardening
    • Raised Bed Gardening
    • Month-by-Month Gardening Tips
    • Seed Starting
    • Compost and Fertilizer
    • Butterfly Gardens
    • Tools & Equipment
    • Pests & Problems
    • Birds and Wildlife
    • Home Garden Tips
  • Plants
    • Plant Profiles
    • House Plants
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
    • Herbs
    • Growing Flowers
  • Recipes
    • Easy Recipes
    • Canning and Food Preservation
  • Books & Classes
    • Books for Christian Herbalists
    • Herbalism Classes
    • Books by Jeanne Grunert
  • About
    • Privacy Policy

German Shepherds are Priceless

August 26, 2009 by Jeanne

I’ve seen reports that Border Collies are the smartest dogs, but I think German Shepherds come very close. Shadow has allergies, and when dogs have allergies, their skin, ears and other parts itch. Shadow’s allergies have been acting up and at 3 a.m., I heard her fussing from her sleeping spot under our bed trying to scratch her ears. Her tags jingle and the noise wakes me up. A few minutes later, she scrambled out from under the bed and went right over to Hubby’s side. She stood up with her paws on the bed and whined, licking his face. She usually does this only when she needs him for an emergency midnight walk.

When Hubby rose from the bed, Shadow immediately trotted down the hallway to the bathroom. I heard Hubby exclaim something and the cabinet door open, the jar for cotton balls clinking as he removed the glass top.

“What’s going on?” I asked and joined him.

Shadow was already laying down on the bath mat with her head off to the side, waiting.

Hubby said in amazement, “She trotted in here, pointed with her nose to the exact cabinet where her ear medicine is kept, looked up at me, then pointed to the cotton ball jar. Then when she saw me open the cabinet door, she went to the bath mat and lay down.” (that’s where we always administer her ear medicine.)

The last time she needed her ear drops was MONTHS ago.

How could she remember? And tell us what she needed?

German Shepherd dogs are smart, I tell you – uncannily so.

Filed Under: Personal

Previous Post: « Slow Transition to Fall
Next Post: My New Organic Gardening Column! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bangchik and Kakdah

    August 26, 2009 at

    That’s nice… she remembered things, and you understand her well… such a strong relationship!!
    ~ bangchik

Footer

watering can with plants

August in the Garden: Late Summer Delight

August in the Garden: Tasks, Tips, and a Look Ahead to Fall Here in South Central Virginia, August has always felt like “back to school” season. By mid-month, the local schools are back in session, and with two universities in our small town, the stores fill up with dorm supplies and school gear. What a…

Read More

a close up of tulsi, also called holy basil, in bloom

How to Grow Tulsi from Seed

Holy basil, also called tulsi, can be grown from seeds. That, at least, is what everyone told me. I’d read about tulsi (holy basil) in several books about herbal medicine and seen it cited as a good adaptogenic herb. I was excited to grow it, so I ordered seeds. Several years in a row. Each…

Read More

Summer savory is an annual herb that was once used just like pepper.

What Is Summer Savory? A Friendly Guide to This Under‑Appreciated Herb

Many years ago, my friend Allie gave me a few summer savory seeds. I think we swapped them for plants. I do remember wondering what summer savory is, as I had never seen it in the grocery store. So why grow it? What’s the big deal? Summer savory is now a staple of my summer…

Read More

watering can with plants

July Gardening Tips: How to Keep Your Garden Thriving All Month Long

July brings long, sunny days and plenty of garden rewards—but also rising temperatures that can stress plants, pollinators, and gardeners alike. With a few smart adjustments to your routine, you can keep your garden healthy, colorful, and productive all summer. Here are our top July gardening tips to help you make the most of the…

Read More

  • About
  • Plant a Row for the Hungry
  • Awards
  • Privacy Policy

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Substack
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2026 Home Garden Joy on the Foodie Pro Theme