Dogs needing help bigtime - Page 1

This email came to us at work today.  I can't post the pictures (can't figure out how). If anyone can help these poor dogs, please do..... I'm guessing that the dogs are in north FL (Gainesville area) but don't know for sure.....

"Ok, I know this is a long shot, but...

Two weeks ago, my good friend Dwight Massengale passed away. He left behind 3 black, purebred, female German Shepherd dogs:

Natasha (4 years old), Missy (8 years old) and Baby Dee (10 years old). These dogs were Dwight's family, as he never married or had kids. He cooked for them and had Christmas for them; he tailored his home and yard to suit their needs.

After Dwight passed away, Animal Services gained custody of his dogs. Unfortunately, the dogs are not very well socialized to people or other dogs. They display territorial and fear-based aggression, according to the folks at Animal Services. Concerns about liability prevent them from being put up for adoption to the general public. If we haven't found suitable homes for these dogs by Tuesday morning, they will be euthanized.

Animal Services will only release the dogs to someone with a background in dog training or rehabilitation, with the facilities to keep them securely confined. If the adopter would work with a veterinary behaviorist, that would be ideal (I'm willing to foot the bill for fees associated with this.) I know the chances we will find someone willing to adopt even one of these dogs are slim to none; but Dwight was a kind and giving person, and we must at least try to help his beloved dogs.

Folks who know the dogs think they could turn around quickly with the right care. If you think you might be up for the challenge of adopting one of them, or have any ideas about how to help, please contact me at GwendyDVM@gmail.com.

Gwendy Reyes-Illg, DVM

UFCVM Class of 2008

Photos attached

--

REYES-ILLG,GWENDOLEN

I think they are screwed,
Sounds like Animal Services is calling all the shots is why.
Too many idiots in charge.
I'd love to take one but I wouldn't be willing to jump through hoops to get one.
I'm sure most people would feel the same way.
Behaviorist !!!   Makes me wanna puck !
SSDD.

Unfortunately, I get these kinds of calls all the time. I am too far away to help in this case (Colorado) even if someone paid to fly them which is unlikely. There is rationale behind not adopting out dogs who are poorly socialized and fearful. The question always is whether the evaluations are correct or not.  Adopting agencies/shelters/animal control etc. cannot and should not risk placing dogs who may end up biting someone.

What the real message here for all is this: You love your dogs and they love you. However, if they are isolated and not well socialized, it does not matter how much you love them when you die. If they are left behind and the authorities become involved, then yes, they will take them and evaluate them (correctly or not). If the dog/s are problematic behavior wise, especially if they are judged to be potentially a dog who would bite someone, your dog is going to be euthanized.

Even I cannot take dogs like this (again assuming the eval is correct) because it means I would end up keeping them their entire life and that is very, very expensive. Further, in my considerable years of experience doing GSD rescue, frankly people are unwilling to take older dogs. They do not want the expense likely to be incurred all too soon when the dogs' health fails, nor do they want to become attached only to have the dog end up dying too soon. 

Resources are extremely scarce, even for dogs without baggage. Sometimes difficult and painful choices must be made. Unfortunately, dogs who are not well socialized and fearful likely end up euthanized. And perhaps that seems harsh but it is preventable if owners will see dogs who outlive them are social enough to be considered adoptable.

The problem is a total lack of common sense, and a five hundred page rule book.
And I don't believe the evaluation, don't take it as fact.   Probably done by a behaviorist.
You take dogs like that by force and throw them into a shelter where they know whats going on and how would you expect them to act?
Maybe its better to just put them down. 
But no ones going to jump through all those hoops just to try giving them a home.
I'd love to spend an hour with any of them and give you my evaluation.
Moons.

It sounds like the dogs are probably just as freaked out about the whole deal.  Poor things.  I have to agree with Moons, they will probably be better off to be put down.  Especially the older two, this guy is all they ever knew.  To me it sounds cruel to take them from what they knew. 
The guy should have made arrangements.   It sounds cruel, but is it really?  It could be worse ending up with some idiot that treats them bad.  I guess in cases like this,  I do not feel the cruelty is them being put to sleep.  I feel the cruelty is them living in fear.

KIM

www.justk9s.com

Well said Kim,
Also, please drop in on the Oli post and make your feelings known.
Moons.

 There are rescue organizations who specialize in this sort of thing.  Will the shelter work with a rescue organization?  Is there one in your area?

I know that there was a GSD rescue in Tampa. I have no idea if the shelter will work with them. I hope that the rescue has some sort of communication with the rescue organizations to let them know when animals come up. I do feel bad for the dogs but in reality they will probably wind up joining their person....sad.....

Hey, if the dogs ARE anywhere near the Georgia side of the state, let me know, and maybe I can try to find homes for them with local people here. The problem you'll run into is that animal control isn't always willing to just let the dogs go, even if a willing home is found for them. Poor dogs; they are probably out of place and wondering what the heck is going on, freaked out about their owner of so many years being gone.

This is another good example of why those of us who own dogs should make sure the welfare of the dogs is looked after in a last will and testament. How many of you have plans made for your animals should something happen to you? It's definitely a good reminder.

 GAPeach... didn't you just post the TOS on another thread?

I like this thread, I think it's for a good cause and all, but what were you just pointing out about the TOS?

to flygirl: I PM'ed you.