This is the second of a two-part series on Asia, the cadaver dog.
Since the cadaver training, Asia and Willow have been invited to nearly 10 search sites. They assisted with the McCann search in northern Alta. Though the area was far too large, they gave three days of effort.
This dog, though fit and always ready to run, finished day one exhausted. Imagine taking in every piece of information around you and trying to sort through it all for a sliver of pertinent information. That is what Asia was doing for hours on end. She did locate one site that turned out to be a methane source. This was a positive alert because a body does exude methane but this source turned out to be natural. If needed, Asia could have searched a river from a boat with the driver steering in the direction of the dog’s nose.
During this time, a colleague sent out requests for stories about inspirational rescue dogs. That fit Asia’s story perfectly. Willow submitted her story and was soon contacted by Caesar Milan’s crew to appear on their tour. She and Asia went to Penticton, Prince George and Dawson Creek. On each show, Asia’s story was told and then she performed either a search or an obedience demonstration. She was famous.
In the fall of 2013, Asia started to show a weakness in her back end. Progressing rapidly, a spinal cord disease called degenerative myelopathy causes Asia to falter on uneven ground. Her back legs give out. The cause of this disease is unknown but it seems to be common in German shepherds. Since the nerves for muscle, bowel and bladder are concentrated at the base of the tail, those functions will fade first.
Asia still has a strong mind and a desire to run so her front end has strengthened to compensate but her time is limited. Looking back, Willow laughed at memories like the first time Asia visited the vet without a muzzle or the first time she let a puppy snuggle. Once, when attacked by a goose, Asia tried to avoid it but had no success. She finally grabbed the goose by the neck and flung it away. Willow thought it might be goose for dinner that night but no. The goose was shocked but undamaged. What an amazing transition.
These days she stays at home and guards the chickens. She’ll go on short walks, play with her ball and go for car rides. She hangs out with her buddy Trevor and her nose is still very acute so treats are never hidden for long. But, at 10, she is now in retirement.
Asia went from rags to riches and from pain to fame.
Liz-Anne Eyford is a volunteer with Crooked Leg Ranch and a regular Observer contributor.