Watch Chico enjoying his enrichment exercises. See the video.

If you ever decide to pack a lunch to Best Friends, better make sure you leave the EZ Cheese at home. Oh, and you might want to skip soda bottles as well. That is, unless you’re itching to be part of a drug bust.

Chico, the Belgian Malinois, has an interesting background. He was training to be a police dog for the local sheriff department. Part of that training involved searching for narcotics. Chico was cruising along great until his trainer noticed he was having some agility problems. Now and again, one of his front legs would give out.

Chico

He’s still young, and didn’t appear to be sick or injured in any way, so he was taken to a vet to try to figure out what was going on. The vet’s diagnosis was that Chico might have a condition called Wobbler’s Syndrome. (Best Friends vets will soon be taking a closer look.) The upshot of Wobbler’s Syndrome is that the spinal column starts to move out of whack, which affects the spinal cord. This condition can cause agility problems, among other things. Untreated, it can even cause paralysis.

This meant one thing in a hurry: Chico had to retire from police work. This was a bummer for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was that everybody in the sheriff’s department had fallen in love with Chico. It would be hard not too, really. This guy is such a ham. If he sees a kid come within ten feet, for instance, he immediately flops on his back for belly rubs! This fellow makes friends instantly.

Chico’s health continued to backslide, however. He needed help. So he came to Best Friends, where he’s getting a thorough medical exam and all the TLC he can soak up. Better yet, one of the deputies who used to work with Chico is planning to adopt him as a family pet, once all the medical issues are sorted out. So his happy ever after is all sealed and ready to go. In the meantime, however, Chico needs a way to keep his mind active, which calls for a little creativity.

Chico with his Kong toy

Enter the spray cheese. Best Friends staffer Jeff Popowich, who’s been hanging out with Chico at the sanctuary, decided to try filling a Kong toy with EZ cheese and then hiding it in a drawer somewhere. This gives Chico some much-needed mental exercise. From that point on, Chico has been ecstatic over the nearly-constant hide and seek. You see, there’s never a shortage of folks who want to help in the training. Jeff will take Chico out of the room, and somebody will stash the toy anywhere they want. He finds it every time!

Only thing is, he also likes to keep finding things beyond the intended toy. Soda bottles have topped his list lately, as have other treats. When you’re a dog with that kind of talent, gotta’ keep working all the angles, right? Welcome, Chico!

Story by David Dickson
Photos by Gary Kalpakoff

While Chico’s favorites du jour happen to be squeeze cheese and soda bottles, there are plenty of other items needed for the Best Friends animals. Please see the wish list to see how you can help.

October 20, 2009 : 11:30 AM ET
posted by: phoenixstrength

I had the wonderful fortune of meeting Chico at Dog HQ 3 weeks ago. Jeff and he were just arriving and he is a sweetie. A big, beautiful Malinois that had tons of energy and was running around the lobby saying hi to everyone. We were all sad when Jeff had to take him back to his office with him.

Good luck Chico in feeling better!

Stephanie

October 12, 2009 : 4:12 PM ET
posted by: baumgak1

My parents dog was diagnosed with Wobbler's disease by a neurologist via a specialty hospital. It progressed very quickly from the back legs to the front legs. The end result was euthanasia at only 6 months old because he had no muscle control. There was no cure or treatment that we were told of. Good luck Chico, I hope you have a better outcome.

October 9, 2009 : 9:18 PM ET
posted by: lightspeed

Meaning no disrespect, but if this was a police dog in training, shouldn't THEY be financially responsible for him, instead of using Best Friends valuable resources....especially at a time when the economy is bad, and donations are down? I'm really happy you are helping him, but as 'rebellion' noted in an above post, that syndrome has positive correlations with physical trauma that probably was incurred during his 'training'. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE YOU, STAT!

October 9, 2009 : 4:53 PM ET
posted by: Lrebellion

Wobbler's syndrome, sounds to me like he may have been severely injured during police K9 training. I've read that at many facilities, helicoptering, slamming to the ground, kicking, hanging, etc., are a normal part of "training" of these dogs when the media and the public are not around. This is a beautiful, loving dog full of character, like all dogs really, and he shouldn't be put back into a situation where he may be abused. Please be 100% certain that you're doing the right thing for him. Thank you for all you do.

October 9, 2009 : 11:09 AM ET
posted by: jbv

I hope that Best Friends can get Chico to a animal chiropractor - I take two of my dogs to one and they work wonders. I'm praying for you you sweet dog.

October 9, 2009 : 9:03 AM ET
posted by: Ragsmom

Just look at those eyes....what a beautiful boy! I pray to God that he is brought back to good health to continue his cheesie search. So grateful to BF and his forever home......you are all such a blessing!

October 9, 2009 : 2:33 AM ET
posted by: kinkstar

What a handsome guy! Good luck getting yourself fixed up Chico, and keep having fun with your Kong full of canned cheese! Lovin' PurrZ!

October 9, 2009 : 12:30 AM ET
posted by: depaula

Just to say I am also in love with Chico and praying for his health. What a dog, indeed. :)

October 8, 2009 : 10:30 PM ET
posted by: greytalli

Chico is magnificent and we (Emmy, Lulu and me) are so happy he is on the mend. From watching Dogtown, we know what a wonderful trainer Jeff is. I'm sure he has all the answers when it comes to keeping Chico's mind and body busy. We know Chico couldn't be in a better spot than he is for finding out what specifically needs to be done for him. Lucky pup! Dogs Rule!

October 8, 2009 : 10:25 PM ET
posted by: ginamomary

What a handsome boy! Thanks, BF, for being there to help Chico. These are special dogs and he sounds like he's in a class all of his own.

October 8, 2009 : 8:26 PM ET
posted by: Roe

We have seen horses with the same condition.

I am certain he is in good hands with all of you..

Fondly, Rosalie

October 8, 2009 : 6:19 PM ET
posted by: susanfauntleroy

Chico is not a German Shepherd. Chico is a Belgian Malinois. Belgian Malinois have all fawn colored bodies with black points only on the muzzle, ears, and some on the legs. Most German Shepherd's have a black saddle down the back. Malinois are slighter in build and have a straight not a sloping back. They stand high on their hind feet.The Malinois muzzle is more sharply defined and the ears highly pricked. Like the German Shepherd Malinois are used for protection, tracking, narcotics and weapons detection etc. They are smart and extremely high energy dogs and require lots of attention, as puppies especially. Our male, at about six months ate up an entire set of patio cushions - not the Home Depo variety...the Pier One variety $$$. There was "fiberfill" from one end of the desert landscape to the other. Our female, at a similar age, chewed the wiring harness off of my husband's law enforcement vehicle three different times after every effort was made to conceal it. It was a game for her. We still have our two Malinois today they are 12 an 10 respectively. Although I would not characterize them as the ideal "family dog", I cannot imagine our life without them.

October 8, 2009 : 6:15 PM ET
posted by: siankolio

Chico, You Rock!!! You're in the right place. Best Friends is great! And, I'm glad you'll have a forever home once your treatment is over!

Betty Young

October 8, 2009 : 5:54 PM ET
posted by: lmr9949

What a beauty. Chico sure has a good thing going for him, and I am so happy he already has a forever home. Sounds like this deputy and dog were meant to be. Cheese on, Chico !!

October 8, 2009 : 5:15 PM ET
posted by: msmcrue1

Great for Chico! So happy he could be helped and that he didn't have to be put down after his loyal service. What a beautiful dog and a great story.