Clarks Summit, PA - Simba 4yo M Blk & Red (in rescue)

[dawnandjr]

Sorry about your losses this past summer. Simba was sent to you for a reason. I think the spinning was part of his routine for getting rid of excess energy in a cage (kennel or crate). I have seen other dogs that do that due to being caged, and it is a habit for them now. Glad he is overcoming it. The nipping at the face, some do it some dont. Had a pup in my last litter doing it, she was the only one. They were all brought along the same way, so it was just her personality (excitement, energy).
It is wonderful to get the end of the story. What I mean by that is, shelter dog posted, gets adopted, and we never know what happens to them. Thank you for coming here and updating. Sounds like Simba has lots of energy to burn. Have you considered getting into one of the dog sports out there? I am myself looking into getting involved in dock diving. My bitch is now jumping of our dock into the canal and loving it, so why not take that a step farther. We do AKC obedience trails as well (well not of lately, but we do LOL).

[katieliz]

simba needed you and then you needed him. thank you so much for posting these updates, and i am so very sorry for your great loss of two dogs unexpectedly, and in such a short period of time. take care, many blessings to your family and simba!

[Stevenzachsmom]

Wow. You really had a tough summer. I am so sorry. I would love to see pictures, if you ever feel up to posting them. Totally understand if it is still too painful.

I can't thank you enough for adopting Simba. We were all pulling for him. What a lucky boy he is to have found you. The videos were awesome. He is living the good life.

[dstrass29]

I thought an update would be appropriate after Simba has been with us for almost 6 months. We have been dealing with his many issues such as dog and human aggression and a constant spinning problem.
The one thing that has not changed, in fact it has multiplied, is our commitment and love for him. When I write, I speak for myself and my wife. We adore him. We continue to take him to school (K-9 Koncepts outside of Baltimore) twice a week, every week since September. He has become a great student who is often called upon to demonstrate the right way a command should be carried out. We continue to enjoy long trail walks and trips to local parks to throw a ball (although I have to keep at least 3 with me as I need one more than he can put in his mouth).
Recently at a training session I noticed something that has affected ours and Simba’s life.
In one of the nearby kennels was a fairly large dog, the likes of which I was unfamiliar with. I inquired, and was told it was a 5 year old female Giant Schnauzer named Virtue who was ungroomed, barely resembling her breed. She is a pure bred, who had been shown and was the owner of the schools. She was adoptable and the schools owner thought she had the temperament to deal with Simba. He was right on the money. At the “meet and greet”, Simba attacked her. She would have none of his nonsense and immediately put him on his back…a first! They have been together with us for a month and Simba has a new found respect for the female gender, she is the boss.
Recently, after consulting our vet, we started Simba on Prozac. Despite what I have read on the net, I have seen no loss of energy. While he still spins, the medicine has resulted in a lower intensity and a greater ability to take him out of his “zoned out” state. Prior to the meds, we were unable to do so.
Finally, I had communication with the person who transported him from the pound he was in. It was a heartbreaking letter. It still makes me emotional that there was a possibility that he could have been PTS. To anyone who reads this, I have proof (sitting next to me right now) that even a dog once considered hopeless, violent and crazy can be a fantastic companion and bring great happiness.

[Stevenzachsmom]

Can I just tell you again how wonderful you are? What a story. Bless you!!!

[RebelGSD]

I am sorry, but Simba was never considered hopeless, violent and crazy.

A violent dog would never make it out of the shelter. He was temperament tested several times at the shelter and did not exhibit people or dog aggression. Everybody who met him loved him, hard to imagine all those people loving a violent dog. Asvto hopeless, 7 million dogs die in shelters every day. They are all hopeless. Simba was loved by both shelter volunteers and staff as well as the people who cared for him. Presenting him here like a violent, aggressive monster is simply not ok, even if it makes for a better story.

He did have the spinning behavior, which can be a nuisance and is harmless. Samba is a high-strung, high-drive German show line dog. He is ball crazy and will try to get the ball faster than the handler. He will try to get the ball out of the hand and he may get a hand by accident, while trying to get to his ball, which is why two balls are recommended in play. it is not uncommon in high drive animals. Simba does get mouthy when excited, which is not violence.

Bragging about the dog being violent exposes the owner to liability issues, even in case of a scratch.

[RebelGSD]

7 million dog die in shelters every year, not every day, it was too late to correct.

[dstrass29]

I post on this site because there were some very nice people who showed genuine concern and care for Simba's welfare. "hopeless, violent and crazy" was used because a) this beautiful dog was unadopted for 5 months b) he does have aggression issues towards other dogs and people c) many people will look at constant spinning and tail chasing in that manner considered by a layman as "crazy".
Per my email conversation with the transporter of Simba from the shelter, he was by no means universally loved at the shelter. Through my correspondence I learned that some employees at the shelter (or one) thought he should be PTS (where I unfortunately learned this abbreviation). I learned that he bounced against the walls of his cage repeatedly. In my correspondence it was also stated that he was not treated equal (primarily food treats) as other dogs. Similarly, I spoke to staff at the shelter and requested any information regarding Simba. There was no real rememerberance of him and no information offered regarding his past. This is by no means a rating of the shelter or the volunteers. I would be more surprised if they remembered each and every dog that passed through.
As far as "bragging", you must be kidding me. I have reread what I have written and see no bragging. Only an attempt to paint a written picture of Simba's former and continually evolving psyche, how we are working with him and give a glimpse of hope to someone who has adopted or may adopt a similar dog.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by dstrass29

Per my email conversation with the transporter of Simba from the shelter, he was by no means universally loved at the shelter. Through my correspondence I learned that some employees at the shelter (or one) thought he should be PTS (where I unfortunately learned this abbreviation).

As one of the people that evaluated and transported (yes, it was a group effort) Simba to his rescue, I can tell you that those who took the time to know him did think he was a great dog that just needed work and guidance. This shelter does not love GSDs in general and their feelings were no way specific to Simba.

Originally Posted by dstrass29

Similarly, I spoke to staff at the shelter and requested any information regarding Simba. There was no real rememerberance of him and no information offered regarding his past. This is by no means a rating of the shelter or the volunteers. I would be more surprised if they remembered each and every dog that passed through.

This isn't surprising that they don't remember him and you answered yourself as to why. With as many dogs as they see go through there, and the prejudice by some of the workers there, I would be more surprised to hear that they do remember him.

Personally, you have read my recounts of Simba in this thread. I wasn't thrilled with him the first time I met him. I found him easy to get out of the kennel where he spent 24 hours a day for months (not on the adoption floor where he would have been able to be adopted) and his spinning wasn't concerning and could easily be redirected. His jumping was tough to handle. The second time I met Simba, I saw what a gentle, kind and loving boy he was.

Thank you for adopting him and for putting so much into his care and training. I hope that you continue to keep his best interests in mind and help him live a long, happy and loved life.