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First Time GSD Mommy!

1K views 10 replies 11 participants last post by  silentbob1981 
#1 ·
Hello!

I'm a brand new mommy to a gorgeous, sweet, and goofy GSD named Django! Our story is quite an interesting one, so here goes!

Two years ago I lost my beloved standard Dachshund, Banjo, to what I believe to be was bloat/stomach torsion. Since then, I've been mourning his loss and waffling between wanting to adopt another dog, and convincing myself I couldn't go through that heartbreak again. I would check the local animal shelter's website off and on for a few weeks at a time, fall in love every day with some dog on there, but otherwise not act on my feelings. It was for the best, after all.

Then about a month ago, I was back on my weekly indulgence of falling in love with the dogs on the site—whether it be a chihuahua or pitbull—when I came across a stunning Bordie Collie and GSD mix named Blu. I rushed down to the shelter because I just had to meet this dog! He was absolutely beautiful, with long black fur, fuzzy ears with a crimped texture, heterochromia (one blue, one brown!), and the floofiest tail I had ever seen! I told the adoption counselor I would adopt him, and there I signed the papers and was escorted to the lobby to await payment, and to seal the deal! As I sat there, petting what I thought to be my new buddy, I heard hushed voices from behind the main desk saying "Should I tell her?". I looked up to see the adoption counselor and two other employees staring at me with looks of horror. The adoption counselor stepped out from behind the desk, approaching me tentatively, and said "I have to take the dog back from you."

To my heartbreak, there was a mix up and Blu was actually on hold for the good samaritan who found him running around as a stray. She had until 6 PM that night to come adopt Blu, and if she didn't turn up, I was to come back the next morning when they opened to adopt him. Crestfallen, I said my goodbye to Blu and left. That night I refreshed the shelter's site over and over again, waiting for the moment when Blu would disappear off there. He was gone off the site not long after the shelter closed.

Morning came, and I decided to go down to the shelter anyway, hoping there was a slim chance that Blu was still there. It turns out he had been adopted thirty minutes after I had left. I thought about going home, that maybe it was for the best. But I ended up looking around the kennels at the different dogs there, and came across several that I liked, including a rather large but thin GSD who was barking his head off and pawing at the kennel door as I passed by. As gorgeous as he was, I thought that there would be no way I could handle a big dog like that! I have a myriad of health problems, including a back injury that had to be operated on. One harsh tug from such a big dog could easily do me in!

I went to the main desk and asked about the dogs I had my eye on, but each one had some issue, such as aggression towards children, that I knew wouldn't be a good fit into my family. Then the GSD popped into my head, and before I realized what was happening, I was being led into the adoption room to meet him!

The door opened, and in swaggers the GSD with his head lowered, ears back, and a happy smile on his face. His back end wiggled as he came up to me, practically vibrating with excitement. He then hunted down a tennis ball from a basket, and brought it over to me with playful eagerness. Before I tossed it to him, I asked him if he knew sit, and down his rump went just like that! After playing with him for a bit—and being pounced on by him and having the wind knocked out of my chest—the words "I'd like to adopt him!" fell from my mouth much like the tennis ball did from the GSD's maw! As if a woman possessed, I signed the papers! Before my brain could catch up with my actions, I was driving home with the GSD in the backseat, who had his head sticking out the car window, inhaling his newfound freedom.

The next few days I was a complete emotional wreck for some reason. I was scared for myself, for my four cats, for my two-month old niece who would be in this dog's life. I was scared for the dog, that I wouldn't be able to care for him and meet his needs, that something awful would happen to him like it did Banjo. But with the help and guidance from my neighbor, who has owned a GSD in the past, I was able to survive the first few days, despite my reservations. It didn't take long to see that this dog was gentle, intelligent, goofy, and good-natured to both humans, and to my kitties! He fits into my life so perfectly that I feel as though I have known this dog for years already. Often I have to pinch myself in disbelief that such a wonderful dog is now mine. Everyone who has met him so far is in love with him, and they tell me how lucky I am to have found him both because he appears to be full GSD, and that he is very well socialized for being so young (the shelter said he is 3, but everyone who meets him, including my veterinarian, says he at least a 1.5 to 2 years old).

Although he has some issues (being underweight, peeing in the house, pulling on the leash, allergies) I couldn't ask for a better furry friend. We're working on basic manners, and handling his mild separation anxiety (he was attached to me from day one!), and of course loose leash walking (it is the bane of his existence). But I know that in time, he is going to be one of the best dogs I have ever had. I am proud to say I am a happy GSD lady!!
 

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