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Fina
Update: Hey! HEY! Don't scroll by so fast! This
is an update to my story. That's right, I'm Fina, GSRNE Rescue Dog #111.
I bet you're tired of reading that old story (below)
about how silly I looked learning to walk on a leash. Trust me, five
years later (has it really been that long?), I've figured out how to do
it. I'd still rather run free -- but that's what got me in trouble way
back when I was barely out of my puppyhood. The dog-catcher (okay,
Animal Control Officer) caught me running the streets of a small
eastern Mass. city one too many times and put me in the safe hands of
GSRNE. I was in a great foster home for more than six months. I loved my
foster family. I learned a lot about how to be a good dog from them.
In July 2001, when I was about two years old (as far as
anyone can tell), I was adopted by my Mom and Dad. We lived in Arlington,
Mass. for about three-and-a-half years. It was very nice, but -- even
though I'm small for a shepherd -- the yard was a little bit confining.
Okay, it was too small for me. I used to "launch" myself off the back
porch into the middle of the backyard and run in circles like a quarter
horse rounding up cattle.
In January 2005 we moved to New Hampshire. Our new
house is so big we have a room where we can play ball indoors. At first,
I was on a tie-out and I wasn't too wild about that. But when the ground
warmed up, we had a fence installed around a great big part of the
backyard. Now I can run like crazy and there are corners with trees (we
call it "Fina's Forest") where I'm even allowed to dig holes! I love New
Hampshire!
This summer I'll be seven years old. Now that I have my
own email account, I'll try to do a better job of keeping you up to date
on my adventures. (Hey, on the Internet, no one knows you're a dog!)
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We are happy to report that
Fina is beginning to adjust to living with us and to feel secure in our household.
After being uprooted a variety of times in her life, it is no wonder that Fina
was wary of re-investing her trust in us. As more time goes by, that's the most
significant factor that we sense in her, as well as in ourselves -- that we now
can trust each other.
We had some dominance
problems in the beginning. Our previous dog – who I had for 15 years – was an
extremely submissive dog and though we realize that all dogs have different
personalities, we were worried about this new 18-month old dog that we had
adopted. GSRNE was very helpful during this time and set up an individual
obedience lesson with Lisa Rockland. We learned an awful lot in that hour. Most
important though was Lisa’s assessment that Fina was indeed a good dog; we would
just have to work with her.
We have been working with
her and we have come a long way. When we got her, Fina had rarely been on a
lead before. Her reaction was to spin around and face me and try to squirm out
of her collar. When we were able to move beyond that, it was really she who was
taking me for the walk. My neighbors got some really good laughs out of seeing
Fina drag me around the block! Lisa’s “follow me” approach to walking on the
leash was a lifesaver. It has made a huge difference in our walks. Fina still
wants to pull and lead the way, but responds (for a short while at least) to my
“about faces” as we walk along. Of course, “walk” is really a misnomer – her
nose is to the ground the whole time.
Fina loves to "greet" every
passerby from her window perch on the stairs, and could spend hours cutting
"crop circles" into the back yard chasing birds and squirrels. She really is a
sweet, gentle little love-bug. She likes nothing better than curling up on the
sofa with her head in our laps -- and there's nothing we like much better
either!
Maverick
(with "sister" Cocoa in foreground)
Maverick was a lonely boy for awhile; he sat awaiting his Forever Home for
a
year and a half while in the care of GSRNE foster homes. He is a special
needs kind of guy that has some serious allergies and he required some
special care. Poor Mav waited and waited and not one person went to see
him -- until I saw his face on the web page.
I knew it was love at first sight and there was just something about this
boy that drew him to me. The more I looked, the more I knew it was meant
to
be. So I pursued Maverick and investigated the care Mav would require. I
asked lots of questions and thought about other dogs also on the web page
but kept coming back to Maverick. Janice and I spent lots of time chatting
in emails and on the phone and she patiently answered my questions. It
really didn't matter to me that he needed a bath a week and should go on
shot therapy for his allergies -- I could tell he was very special.
After meeting Maverick at his foster home, my husband Mark and I knew it
was
right and apparently Cocoa (our current doggie, also a Shepherd) did too
because the meeting between Cocoa and Mav went well. This was going to
work! I had great hopes and I just knew it was right.
It has been about 5 months now and Cocoa, a 7 year old female, and the 6
year old Maverick are getting along very well. They love to play soccer in
the yard with Deb and both get to go to the Cape to visit with their
grandparents and soon Mav will have his first swim in the ocean. Maverick
is my Joy Boy and I don't remember what it was like before he came into
our
lives. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on his picture that he was meant
to be with us. He is sweet and good-natured and loves to play. He snuggles
and gives kisses and lets his sister share his toys. What more can a mommy
ask for? We love this guy!!
Thank you to all the Rescue people that kept him under such great care
until
we found each other.
Haley
We adopted Haley about two years ago. She is absolutely one of the best gifts we
have ever received. From the night she arrived in our home, she has brought
nothing but joy to us. Sometimes we look at her and wonder how
did we get so lucky. Every where we go, people will stop us and tell us how
beautiful she is. Recently we were walking with her in the Blue Hill woods and
two Park Rangers came along, we immediately thought oh no they are going to tell
us we could not have a dog in this area, instead they just came over to tell us
what a beautiful dog she was.
Haley has a basket of toys in the living room. Every night I go and put her toys
away in the basket and every morning Haley takes them out and puts them around
her bed. She then just gives me a look to say this is where I want them. She
also has a big huge crock pot in the yard filled with tennis balls. She manages
to empty that crock pot in about five minutes and you just have to be careful
where you walk, because there are tennis balls all
over the yard.
When our daughter tells our two year old granddaughter we are going to grandpa's
house, she gets all excited and starts saying "Haley" and upon arriving Haley
gets the first kiss. The other day the doorbell rang and when I answered it,
there were the two little ones from next door, wanting to know if Haley would
come out to play.
We will be eternally grateful to the GSRNE group for giving us the opportunity
to adopt this exceptional dog. She came fully obedience trained and housebroken.
All we had to do was to love her and that's been the easiest thing to be,
because who could not love her. Thanks to all who had a hand in rescuing her,
because we have been blessed in adopting this wonderful girl.
Abby
Abby came to GSRNE because her former owners decided to start a family. When Abby came into their lives, she was their baby, but as their "human" family started to grow, they decided that they were done being doggie parents and wanted to focus on their two daughters. So, Abby was turned into GSRNE in hopes that someone would appreciate this gentle and sweet girl.
Abby now lives with another GSD and is the love of her adoptive parents lives. She has started obedience competition and has wormed her way into the hearts of family and friends alike. She has always been a well-mannered girl, but now she's appreciated and loved for doing the one thing she does best - being herself.
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