GSRNE Rescue Tails Page 6
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Hope
Hope Graduates from Obedience School! We adopted Fritz (the one with the orange toy) in August of 2001 and felt that he would benefit from having a sister, specially to work on his socialization skills and "doggie language". That is how we started the search for another GSD. As many people had said before seeing Hope was love at first sight. Her look was one of a very sweet, gentle soul, which is exactly how her foster moms described her on the website. She appeared a bit timid at first but in her first encounter with Fritz she showed not fear, but indifference, which is exactly what we were looking for. Fritz was in the middle of his adolescent period and needed some guidance in doggy behavior (socialization) and we felt that Hope could provide him with that. She proved us right. Hope was picked up as a pregnant stray and the vet determined that she have had several litters before she was rescued. Her maternal training was put right to work as soon as she entered our lives. She asserted her dominance over Fritz in their first monitored encounter at home and that has been the end to Fritz's awkwardly assertive juvenile male dominance. It only took one look and a growl for her to make it clear what was acceptable and what wasn't. Today we have two wonderful dogs that play together every chance they have, that lick each other affectingly and will lie down together to share toys.In addition to Hope's impact in Fritz's life, she has brought to our lives a great amount of warmth and affection. Fritz is known for his goofy actions and reactions that provoke a good belly laugh. Hope is gentle and loyal at all times. She likes to be wherever I am and always makes sure that she keeps an eye on me outside and inside the house. When she came to us she was extremely food driven but did not care for toys. Today she knows how to fetch and she is able to make decisions about which toys she likes better, although her brother always manages to steal them from her. Obedience school has also helped in our bonding process and her confidence. She understands now that there is a way to learn and for us to communicate so she gets lots of kisses, belly scratches and petting every time she gets a knew command down. I don't think that you can ever scratch her belly enough! Hope is a GSD/Lab mix, which manifest itself in her tail wagging being much more effusive than what you would expect from a GSD. Every morning when she hears me getting up I can hear the thumping of the tail against the floor and I know that I will find her smiling on the other side of the door ready for another day full of affection. It is a sound that I wouldn't change for anything in the world. Thank you to all the volunteers that made our adoption of Hope possible. Special thanks to her two foster moms. She is doing great! |
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Tiki
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Makwa and Olivia
Makwa, GSRNE #123 ( Mack ) is the latest addition to our GSRNE family. He turned 6 in October. He joins his 4 year old sister Olivia, GSRNE #84. Makwa’s story is simple, he was not friendly to cats and had to find a new home. He was brought to a Maine area shelter when GSRNE stepped in to help. We had been thinking of adopting a male GSD and were waiting for the right companion for Olivia. Her happiness meant everything to us, she is a very low activity dog and could not keep up with a high energy dog. When we read Mack’s description and saw his picture we had to go see him. The adoption coordinator thought we would be a good match, so we brought Olivia to the foster home in Vermont to meet Makwa. His size was overwhelming to say the least. A gentle giant, he greeted us with kisses. The first meeting between Mack & Olivia did not go as well as we hoped. Olivia did not feel comfortable and it was difficult. We left and went home feeling quite discouraged. Would Olivia learn to get along with any other dog or would she be an only dog? We both loved Makwa so much, it was hard to say no. If it was going to work with any dog, Makwa would make it that much easier. It was tough the first few weeks after we brought him home but now one year later they are best buddies going everywhere together. Makwa is happy to be wherever you are. His favorite pastimes are having his ears scratched, going for walks in the woods and howling at sirens on TV. Olivia has been with us almost 3 years now and she is still the princess. Olivia was found in a Boston area shelter. She was picked up wandering the streets a couple times and her owner surrendered her for fines owed. She was terribly sick with heartworm and extremely underweight when GSRNE found her. They got her the proper treatment and got her back on her feet. Thanks to everyone’s help she made a miraculous recovery. When I saw her face on the web page I knew she was the dog for me. Her story of neglect was almost too much for me. How could anyone not take care of this beautiful dog? My husband also agreed that we should go meet Olivia. It was definitely love at first sight, she was well behaved, low activity just what we were looking for. She has always been number one in the house and it was difficult for her to accept another dog. I am proud of her for the way she adjusted to Mack living with us. Olivia’s favorite things are belly rubs, keep away with toys and staying just a few feet ahead of Mack on her walks !!! Don’t you agree that they make a striking couple?? |
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