Hamburg, NJ - Gunner, male, 11 years (Sussex County) (adopted)

[llfredericks]

Recommended by Cassie from One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR)

We live in Hamburg, NJ. Our home has suffered foundation and other damages from Hurricane Irene and we currently do not have hot water or heat since 8/28/11.

We have an 11 year old German Shepherd boy, he is current on all shots and heart worm pills, he does have moderate hip dysplasia and hamburg veterinary clinic had been having us give him derramax pain medication as needed for his pain (more or less every other day).

We had FEMA out to inspect our home but they were only able to assist us with 1/5 of the cost for necessary repairs and replacement of our boiler and to remedy the foundation based on quotes. Based on this, we have been forced to contact our mortgage company and are attempting a short sale of the home.

I had lost my job earlier this year and our credit isn’t too good so we are unable to get another home at this time, we have been unable to find apartments willing to allow us to bring Gunner as they have a 35lb max weight limit pet policy or they do not accept german shepherd breeds.

We have an opportunity to move into one of these apartments on 10/1/11 but none of our friends and family are able or willing to take on Gunner for the remainder of his days. He has been a loyal part of our family and it pains us to think we may need to put him down earlier than his dysplasia requires or give him to a shelter that may euthanize him due to his age and medical needs.

I hope you may have an opening to accept our sweet boy. He is very good with children and cats. He has lived with another dog (a poodle) for about 1 year before she passed on, there were a few nippy moments between them, so he would be best as the only dog.

[Emoore]

Well, now I'm crying.

[llfredericks]

@ Emoore - Sorry to upset, it is heartbreaking to us as well, we are just running out of time and options. If our town finds out we do not have hot water or heat before we are able to relocate we could be forced to move even sooner. We are desperate, we were able to place both of our cats but no one has stepped up for our poor boy.

[Emoore]

Sure do wish there was something I could do from Texas. My prayers are with you.


If it does come to the worst, please take him to the vet and put him down yourself. I'm a rescuer and I spend a lot of time in shelters. . .. a dog's final hours and days there can be pretty horrific. Gunner deserves better than that. But I will sure send emails to contacts and see if anybody can help.

[llfredericks]

@ Emoore - We agree as difficult a decision as that is and heartbreaking, we wouldn't want him to have additional suffering from this event. Our best hope is a foster or a family that will be able to provide the medical care and love our loyal senior boy deserves.

We are trying our darnedest to get him safe and sound to the best of our abilities and have received many links such as this one from our local rescue organizations to hopefully make it happen.

[gsdraven]

Have you contacted local German Shepherd Rescues? Garden State German Shepherd Rescue

or http://www.seniorgssanctuary.com/

[llfredericks]

@ gsdraven - thank you for the info, I will check out both of them right now!!

[mmackey]

Any news with this guy and possible rescues??

[llfredericks]

@ mmackey - we met with a possible adoption earlier today. she had several other dogs and 2 fosters and while they got along for the most part, it wasn't a good fit. so he is still available and we are still trying to get him placed before we need to move on 10/1

[BowWowMeow]

This is just heartbreaking. I wish I were closer so that he could meet my Rafi and see if it would be ok between them.

I will send this to a few friends in the NYC area to see if anyone has any ideas.