Father Polo blesses old church with his presence

By Gabriel Garcia

Nov 23, 2022

Blessed: Father Polo, the one-year-old German shepherd who has made the old Uniting Church grounds on Maude St his home. Photo by Megan Fisher

Blessed be Father Polo and his bone.

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No, Father Polo isn’t a human but a beautiful one-year-old German shepherd.

Owned by Gobie Raju, Father Polo’s original name was just Polo but as he stays at the the old United Church in Maude St, Shepparton, he was rechristened.

Mr Raju received the dog from a family who were unable to take care of him.

Instincts: Though not being trained as a guard dog, Father Polo, like all German shepherds, is watchful. Photo by Megan Fisher

Father Polo comes from a line of police dogs, which has made him highly intelligent and easy to train.

Proud dad: Owner Gobie Raju with Father Polo. Photo by Megan Fisher

“He always stays within the church compound,” Mr Raju said.

“He doesn't go to the streets. He always walks around the back and goes back into the church.”

Though police dogs are trained to show aggression and German shepherds are known to make efficient guard dogs, Mr Raju is determined to ensure Father Polo remains placid and friendly.

“We can always train him to be a guard dog but I want him to be more of a friendly dog,” Mr Raju said.

Friendy is an apt word to describe Father Polo.

The German shepherd has a good relationship with visitors to the Maude St church.

“He likes cuddles. He loves cuddles,” Mr Raju said.

I’m a good boy: Father Polo may come from a line of police dogs but he loves a cuddle. Photo by Megan Fisher

Father Polo is almost as fond of his tail as he is of cuddles, and can sometimes be seen chasing it.

Like all one-year-olds, Father Polo often does things he isn’t supposed to do.

“He likes to jump but I'm training him not to jump,” Mr Raju said.

Despite his generally friendly nature, Father Polo will sometimes bark at strangers.

He is also quite discerning when it comes to food.

“He doesn’t like dry dog food, he only likes wet dog food,” Mr Raju said.

Exploring: Father Polo has free run of the buildings. Photo by Megan Fisher

Unlike many dogs, Father Polo does not enjoy chicken necks.

“He doesn't like eating chicken necks. He just gives them away,” Mr Raju said.

His favourite toy, however, is a big bone.

Father Polo enjoys running around the church compound and is free to enter and exit the buildings, though he is being trained not to go into the buildings when a function is on.

Mr Raju is hoping to teach Father Polo how to fetch.