Response to "this is where your dogs end up" - Page 1

This is Wolf.

Wolf was advertised in the classifieds on this site as a "Free dog." The response on this board was pretty negative. The odg, on the other hand, is very nice. His owner is ill and cannot care for him, so she did the  "right" thing (IMO) and advertised him free to a good home.

Wolf arrived in Philly from Idaho night before last in good condition, picked up by Jackie and Carl. she brought him over to me yesterday for temperament "general" health evaluation. (prior to vet visit this week) I liked him fine. He kenw some German commands and did a passable job on a short test track.

Wolf is now living a life of luxury in NJ with Jackie Harris' (Kalibeck) adult step-daughter, who is a competent handler, and thrilled with the dog. some of you might remember Jackie was looking for a dog for her estended family on this board.

This is where MY dogs, and any dog I can help... "end up."

Happy ending!

SS

another happy ending.  GG guys

BTW, how is Max/Blackie doing?
 

A very happy ending - thank you Shelley & Kalibeck!

I'm told Blackie is coming along well as expected. He is a bit older than we thought at first, said to be at least 5 yrs. old, but shouldn't be too much trouble to place in the right hands. We know Molly is doing a superb job with this otherwise difficult adoption prospect.

I just wish we had the facilites to rescue more nice GSD's to place with deserving handlers.

Someday.... sigh.

Link to article published yesterday about Blackie/Max in the local Times-News paper: http://www.tnonline.com/node/258629

SS

 This is great that this dog got a new home through the efforts of forum members. Unfortunately, it is not the rule. Each two to three weeks GSDs are brought to my attention needing a new home because someone is dumping the dog. There simply are NOT enough good homes and when one is not very, very careful about placement, often it does not work out and one ends up getting the dog back or worse yet, it ends up again in a shelter. This is why all breeders should be giving pause to the number of litters they produce, setting and adhering to strict guidelines about to whom they will sell, and make good on their statements to "take the dog back" when it does not work out. 

Part of the legislation pending, passing or being proposed around the country is, indeed, related to the number of dogs who are unwanted. Unfortunately, unless we as enthusiasts, including ALL breeders, begin to heed the concerns of society, we will continue to see more and more onerous legislation being proposed and passed. But yes, I know, I am preaching to the deaf. There is too much money involved for common sense to prevail.

Well said, Hodie.

I want to add that it is the responsibility of every breeder to MICROCHIP their pups BEFORE they send them off thier property. Owners are often not as responsible as we are, don't contact the breeder when and/or if they no longer can or wat to keep their dog, hand them off to someone even less responsible than they are, and the dog ends up in a shelter with no ID.

I would LIKE to believer many of the breeders on this forum would WANT to know when something like this occrs, and would put out the effort to retrieve the dogs they produce to re-home them themselves. This is not usually possible if the dog isn't micro-chipped, tattoed, those numbers registered with the AKC dog ID/Recovery program, etc.

Incidentally. One of my pups, Dieter, was returned to me 10 days ago because the owner had some life circumstances that prevented them from keeping him. I'm happy to say Dieter left here on Friday with his wonderful new owner, an experienced working dog handler with big plans for his future, only one week after his arrival. (pic below) I just hope any other of  "my" owners who find themselves in the same position will contact me for help. Its in my sales agreement, but even that is no guarantee of buyers' compliance.

OK. I'm climbing down off my soap-box now.

SS

kudos to shelley and jackie for taking and placing this dog. it's great to read about someone who not only breeds (ss - you do breed, right?) but also rescues. i support a gsd rescue in orange county, ca, but could not take any dogs to adopt or foster. our gsd/mali mix is a rescue tho. good job and good luck with wolf and to molly with blackie.

You know, I had thought when I first started in the breed, that breeders were primarily interested in the dogs.  I was shocked and incredulous when I discovered how some of the dams were kept let alone the pups.  I was told I anthropormorphize.  I guess I do when it comes to my own dogs.  I see how they love coming home after being to a show.  They are short of doing cart wheels in the back yard.  I see how they stand at the window wanting to come in to be together with me although they have the whole yard to romp and play.  I see their thousands of expressions running anywhere from anticipation, excitement, disappointment and sorrow.  I am so happy to hear about Wolf and the many good endings you have to share Shelley.  The most rewarding experience I have had in dogs is the dog I got out of rescue.  She is turning 10 this year and we have shared 8 of them together.  She is my soul dog.  Every day she says "thank you" through her eyes. 

Thanks for sharing.

As I age, I am often saddened by how the good efforts of good people come to naught in this cold world. So, I have adopted a philosophy of trying to help what is placed before me in a hands-on way when I am able; it is the principal behind nursing, and it is sometimes quite effective. This is one of those times. I cannot save the world, but I help where I can; and this was a very satisfying situation. Everyone involved is happy. jackie harris

 Shelly,

I agree with you about microchipping, but unfortunately, it also has to have updated information or the owner/breeder or other responsible party cannot be located. Just as an aside, I recently updated all my chip information with one of the MAJOR companies and I was chargrined to find that they had wrong information for me in several cases. How they screwed this up is beyond me, but it did not engender confidence in their service and I told them as much. I strongly suggest that anyone reading this who has chipped their dogs double check with the record holder to make sure the records are, indeed, correct.

Kalibeck, I share your philosophy. I cannot save the world, nor can I save every deserving and needy child or even GSD. Establishing and maintaining and heeding limits in rescue is how I  stay sane and realistic. It is difficult when I get 15 emails and phone calls in a three week period from people wanting to dump their dog (most of whom have really lame reasons). Like you, and apparently Shelly and some few others on this board, we help where and when we can. If more people would do that, the world would be a better place, be it on behalf of people or dogs or other creatures in need.