GSRNE Happy Tails Page 1

Please note: If you have adopted one of our dogs and would like to have their info included here, please email me! Also, if you have already sent in a story and pictures, and don't see it appear here within a few days, please ping me again to be sure I got it.

We all LOVE reading this Happy Tails stories. They make all the hard work and expense worth while. This is what rescue is all about!

We adopted Becky almost seven years ago (8/4/96).  I've enclosed a photo taken this past winter while we were enjoying the snow.  I cross country skied and  Becky romped in the snow.

I want to say thank you for letting us adopt Becky.  She is truly the best German Shepherd we've ever had, and the first rescue dog we've had.  Becky has such personality.  She is very vocal, excitable and truly enjoys life.  She plays catch and swims with Bryan our son, now 18.  She hikes all season and is never out of sight.  She is always by my side.  She doesn't even chase the deer when off lead.  She is very attentive and listens beautiful.  She is a real joy!!

Thank you so much Janice Ritter and Lisa Antonucci who fostered Becky.  You have our gratitude for the seven years and many more we have with Becky.  She enjoys her friends the Dalmatians (her hiking buddies) and Resa our Yorkshire Terrier.  (My husband adopted Resa from a shelter last year.)

Your group does wonderful work!

Fondly, Rita  and Bryan

Kelly (and her pillows)

Kelly was purchased by her previous owner as a puppy and then tied outside for 3 years. The owner bred her, then left her to have her puppies outside, alone in the winter elements. The puppies all died of exposure. Eight weeks later, the owner dumped Kelly at a shelter and told them to have her put to sleep. The shelter workers walked her down the hall to have her PTS but she was such a happy girl that wagged her tail and gave everyone kisses that they just couldn't euthanize her, so they called GSRNE. Kelly was loaded with whip worms, had a urinary tract infection, a uterine infection, a rotten tooth, frost bitten ears and to top it all off after she got into foster care, we found she had severe hip dysplasia in both hips. GSRNE's Abby's "Leg"acy Fund helped to pay for Kelly's surgery.

GSRNE was happy to be able to help this lovely girl to heal and after spending 6 months helping her through recovery we decided she was already home.  Besides loving parents, Kelly lives with a number of other dogs to keep her company.

Because GSRNE fixed both of her hips, Kelly is able to run and take part in her favorite activity… chasing one of her balls!  When she is done, she is happy to find a nice soft blanket, with a pillow please, to lay down on. Kelly has been a foster sister to many, many of GSRNE's adoptive dogs. She teaches them manners and shares her blankets, toys and home with them until they can find one of their own.

Bailey

Bailey came to GSRNE from a shelter. Although she is a sweet dog, she had some issues that needed to be resolved. You see, Bailey was tied out for most of her life and in lieu of toys, she learned to play with her tail. As time went on, her tail became not only her obsession, but a coping device. Whenever she couldn't handle something, she would turn inward and spin around chasing her tail for hours on end.

GSRNE worked with Bailey for a very, very long time. Eventually, we were able to build in other coping mechanisms as well as teaching Bailey to trust. In time, she learned to get along with some other dogs and play nicely with the cats in foster care. 

Bailey now lives with a family of her own. She is loved and cared for and doesn't have to worry about sitting at the end of a short chain anymore. 

Tai Bo

Jayco/formerly Tai Bo

Tai Bo was turned into GSRNE because he was abandoned at a grooming shop. The owners dropped him off and just never returned. When they were called to "come and pickup their pet," they told the shop owner that they had no intention of coming back.

Tai was a lively adolescent when he arrived and quite a handful. With a delightful sense of humor, he could be trying at times, but his sweet and bouncy nature made him lots of friends. He learned some manners in foster care and eventually was adopted into a wonderful home with a wonderful doggie sister.

 Sheba

Sheba was turned into GSRNE from an all breed rescue that didn't focus on GSD's. Sheba had suffered horrific abuse and needed someone to trust and teach her about the world. When she arrived, she was full of fear and distrust.

Sheba was placed into a special foster home that was used to dealing with behavioral problems and issues. In time, using love and tenderness, Sheba learned about rules and how to "win". She was able to romp with other dogs and take her time learning about humans.

Sheba now lives in a wonderful home where she is doted on. She is obedience trained and loves her cat friends. She will never have to suffer again.

 Sport

We were able to evaluate dogs and collaborate with other rescues to save dogs we weren't able to take in. We worked with New England vets and shelters to help out numerous dogs. Sport was one of those dogs we evaluated and another rescue placed.

I wanted to send you a story about Sport. I believe you originally had him in Wayland before he was sent to the Blue Dog Shelter in Brockton. His picture is still on your website. I adopted Sport Christmas week of 2003. He was such a great companion not only to me but to my other dog Mittens. Sadly he was diagnosed with lymphoma in November 2004. He went through 4 month of chemo at NEVOG in Waltham under the care of a wonderful Vet. Dr. Kim Cronin. Just when he was finished with chemo treatments in April he become weak and was diagnosed with hermangiosarcoma, a cancer of the pericardium of the heart.

I don't want this to be a sad tale about Sport but rather a tale of how he was loved to the end. I had the joy of making him part of my family and in that short time I had him he was awesome. I am including a picture of Sport and his sister Mittens on the deck in happier times. Keep up the good work.