Lessons from the Dog
By Dave Balch, author “Cancer for Two” and 
founder The Patient/Partner Project

     Simone is one of our beloved dogs, a black standard 
poodle.  She weighs about 53 pounds and is as smart a dog as 
I’ve ever known.  Part of her job, being a dog and all, is 
going in the car whenever she possibly can.  In fact, she 
likes to hang out in the car, sleeping in the back seat 
while it’s parked in the garage in the hopes that she will 
“get lucky” and we’ll drive off and take her with us.  Right 
there, you have a lesson in persistence and positive 
thinking!
     The other day I went to the dentist and she came along 
for the ride.  She stands on the passenger seat, rear-end 
firmly planted against the chair-back, supporting her weight 
on her front legs, which rest on the front of the seat 
bottom.
     Living in the mountains as we do, all of the roads are 
a series of curves; we consider a “straightaway” to be any 
stretch of road that goes longer than 100 yards without a 
bend.  So off we go, Simone and I, riding the curvy roads on 
a beautiful day.  
     As you know, when you enter a bend in the road 
centrifugal force tends to throw you to one side of the car 
or the other, which would be a problem for a dog standing on 
a soft automobile seat.  But not Simone.  She stands there, 
watching the road ahead very intently.  As we approach a 
turn, she leans in the direction of the turn so as to 
counter-balance the centrifugal force, thereby keeping her 
comfortable position in the seat.
     Actually, it would be more accurate to say that she 
throws herself into the lean.  I’m driving along trying to 
watch this dog throwing herself one way or the other before 
we even enter the turn, laughing out loud and trying to keep 
one eye on the road.  She was so deep in concentration that 
she was oblivious to me.
     Then it hit me.  She is adapting to her circumstances.  
She is watching the road ahead, anticipating a change in her 
situation, planning a course of action, and then executing 
it when the change occurs.  A curve to the right, then to 
the left, another left, two more rights; it doesn’t matter.  
She never loses her balance because she is keeping her eye 
on the road.
     Pretty smart, huh?
     Are you watching the road ahead of your medical 
situation?  Are you anticipating changes based on what you 
see, and then acting accordingly?
     What kinds of changes should you look for?  How about 
weather?  What if there is a snow storm predicted for the 
day of your treatment?  Are you prepared to travel in a 
difficult situation with safety?  Plenty of gas in the car?  
Food and blankets in case you get stuck?  Extra medications, 
if any, in case you have to spend an unexpected night out?  
     Your appointment schedule is another good place to be 
aware. Things may come up that you hadn’t anticipated when 
you planned your doctor visits.   Are they scheduled at a 
time when there may be more traffic, such as just before or 
after a holiday weekend or during rush hour?  Is there going 
to be a potential conflict with something such as a special
event at your child’s school?  What about sporting events?  
Will they affect your travel because of a big game at the 
local stadium that is right on your way?
     Watch those curves in the road, and then throw yourself 
into a position to deal with what’s coming.  Simone knows 
how; now you do too.

© 2009, Dave Balch  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dave Balch gives greater understanding and relieves stress 
and restores hope for cancer patients and their families.  
He was caregiver for his wife during four bouts of breast 
cancer and has now dedicated his life and career to helping 
others by founding The Patient/Partner Project. Resources 
include a book “Cancer for Two,” speaking programs, a DVD 
about coping strategies, and free web services.  Subscribe 
to his no-cost monthly newsletter, “Caring and Coping” at 
www.CaringAndCoping.com