My rescue story

Hiking_Tom · 09-10-2011, 12:03 PM

8 days ago I rescued an adult male GSD approximately 5-7 years old. Drake was neglected and abused and in a bad way when I got him.

I actually had no intention of getting a dog but my daily walk takes me by animal control (which I NEVER stop at) but for some reason I decided to have a look last week. At the very end, in the last cage, was a shepherd that looked like it had been through pure ****... His ears were bloody stumps, huge patches of fur missing, coat completely matted.. Covered in fleas... He was just laying on the concrete floor. I mean, it was hard to look at.

The shelter was closed, but I came back by later and asked about the dog and found out that someone had called it in. Drake had been chained to a tree in direct sunlight on rocky ground most of his life.

So, I asked if they had a foster program and if I could at least take the dog to the vet and let it recover at my house for a while. I think they were in shock, but I filled out the forms and off to the vet we go.... He was full of worms, but no heartworms thank goodness.

Long story short - in just 8 days this dog has done a complete 180. No fleas, pretty sure he is dewormed, all his shots, coat washed and brushed out, ears healing nicely, etc. He is magnificent! We have bonded very well (I think...). He has learned SIT, he is a natural at fetching and he loves to be chased and play tug-of-war. He walks on a lead very well - pulls for a few minutes and then drops right in on my right side and leaves some slack in the lead.

He's great with our other animals - he lets the cats rub against him, and our other 2 dogs like him.

We went on our first hike together this morning on the Appalachian Trail and he's a natural-born-hiking-partner! I absolutely love this dog and he is a real keeper.

Don't know where I'm going with all this. This is my first post and I am excited to find a GSD forum.

ShenzisMom · 09-10-2011, 12:13 PM

Welcome to the forum! We love pictures

Drake is a very lucky man...

dazedtrucker · 09-10-2011, 12:38 PM

Totally wonderful!! We need pictures! I just got a boy out of a bad way too, it is just amazing how wonderful these dogs can be!
Congrats to the both of you!

Silvermoon · 09-10-2011, 01:02 PM

Congrat to you both!! PICTURES!!!!!!!!

katieliz · 09-11-2011, 08:21 PM

hey there hiking tom, ya'all made me cry tears of joy for your new boy drake. thank you very much, what a wonderful thing you did. yes, hiking tom, than you VERY much. i think you two were meant to be. isn't it amazing the change that takes place? bless your heart drake, youza lucky boy!

Jelpy · 09-11-2011, 09:00 PM

Sorry Tom. Forum rule. All rescues must be accompanied by pictures.

jelpy

Stosh · 09-11-2011, 10:50 PM

What a fabulous post!! So happy you took him into your home and heart. Can't wait to see him

DukeGSD · 09-12-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelpy

Sorry Tom. Forum rule. All rescues must be accompanied by pictures.

jelpy

Agreed!

GSDBESTK9 · 09-12-2011, 10:27 AM

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for saving his life.

Can't wait to see pictures of him.

BlackPuppy · 09-12-2011, 10:53 AM

Congratulations! That's a great story. Brought tears to my eyes.

09-10-2011, 12:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hiking_Tom New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1	My rescue story 8 days ago I rescued an adult male GSD approximately 5-7 years old. Drake was neglected and abused and in a bad way when I got him. I actually had no intention of getting a dog but my daily walk takes me by animal control (which I NEVER stop at) but for some reason I decided to have a look last week. At the very end, in the last cage, was a shepherd that looked like it had been through pure ****... His ears were bloody stumps, huge patches of fur missing, coat completely matted.. Covered in fleas... He was just laying on the concrete floor. I mean, it was hard to look at. The shelter was closed, but I came back by later and asked about the dog and found out that someone had called it in. Drake had been chained to a tree in direct sunlight on rocky ground most of his life. So, I asked if they had a foster program and if I could at least take the dog to the vet and let it recover at my house for a while. I think they were in shock, but I filled out the forms and off to the vet we go.... He was full of worms, but no heartworms thank goodness. Long story short - in just 8 days this dog has done a complete 180. No fleas, pretty sure he is dewormed, all his shots, coat washed and brushed out, ears healing nicely, etc. He is magnificent! We have bonded very well (I think...). He has learned SIT, he is a natural at fetching and he loves to be chased and play tug-of-war. He walks on a lead very well - pulls for a few minutes and then drops right in on my right side and leaves some slack in the lead. He's great with our other animals - he lets the cats rub against him, and our other 2 dogs like him. We went on our first hike together this morning on the Appalachian Trail and he's a natural-born-hiking-partner! I absolutely love this dog and he is a real keeper. Don't know where I'm going with all this. This is my first post and I am excited to find a GSD forum.

09-10-2011, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShenzisMom Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, ON Posts: 839	Welcome to the forum! We love pictures Drake is a very lucky man... __________________ -Cassie Handler For: Shenzi: Female GSD Zira:Female Dobermann

09-11-2011, 08:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	hey there hiking tom, ya'all made me cry tears of joy for your new boy drake. thank you very much, what a wonderful thing you did. yes, hiking tom, than you VERY much. i think you two were meant to be. isn't it amazing the change that takes place? bless your heart drake, youza lucky boy! __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

09-11-2011, 09:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jelpy Master Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mesquite, Tx Posts: 906	Sorry Tom. Forum rule. All rescues must be accompanied by pictures. jelpy __________________ My furs are not in storage, nor draped across the bed. They're peering out the kennel door just waiting to be fed. (Anonymous)

09-12-2011, 10:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
GSDBESTK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28,438	Welcome to the forum. Thank you for saving his life. Can't wait to see pictures of him. __________________ Carolina Johnson http://www.johnsonhaus.com http://www.carolinak9photography.com

09-10-2011, 12:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
dazedtrucker Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 587	Totally wonderful!! We need pictures! I just got a boy out of a bad way too, it is just amazing how wonderful these dogs can be! Congrats to the both of you!

09-10-2011, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silvermoon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Springfield, OH Posts: 289	Congrat to you both!! PICTURES!!!!!!!!

09-11-2011, 10:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	What a fabulous post!! So happy you took him into your home and heart. Can't wait to see him

09-12-2011, 10:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Congratulations! That's a great story. Brought tears to my eyes.

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