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Parker was born to an overpopulated household where he lacked any
exposure to people and outdoor environments. He was taken from the
hoarder situation where he and his two brothers, and other dogs were
being kept. When they were rescued, they were in a dark basement;
hence we called them “the basement boys”. They were totally
un-socialized and terrified of the world but we felt they deserved a
chance at life.
The shelter didn’t
know what to do with the three boys, so they called us for help. GSRNE
only had one foster home open to work with this type of dog, but found
another rescue that could take the two brothers. After entering rescue
at 9 months of age, Parker began the process of discovering the world
for the very first time. Better late than never!
His time in foster
care has allowed him to learn some of the basic knowledge and skills
that most puppies naturally acquire at a much earlier age. He is now
wise to the rewards of car travel, the leash, snow, playing with his
humans, and healthy food. Parker's development is not yet on par with
typically raised puppies, but he is a willing student and a fast
learner. Some skills are still works in progress with Parker, and his
forever family will need to continue patient practice on basic
obedience skills and building Parker's self confidence around new
people and dogs. Left to make his own decisions, Parker will avoid and
shut down. He needs opportunities to practice successful introductions
with human guidance until he develops more typical social habits on
his own. He'll get there!
Parker has been called a "project dog" by people experienced in GSD
rescue. If you are looking for a finished product right from the
start, he's not your guy. He needs a human who is calm and confident
that he can look to for guidance and leadership. The devotion and
loyalty that GSDs are famous for will not be shared in the first days
or weeks of a relationship with Parker, but he does have those
qualities in abundance. His late socialization to humans means he is
much slower to trust and bond than his peers, but he does bond and
deeply.
Parker is a home
body, who is most comfortable with routine and places he knows. His
perfect home would be with someone that has a very active “puttering”
lifestyle and not much in the way of company coming to visit. He needs
someone who is calm and confident to make the decisions and provide
leadership. Parker loves to walk or run and to play-play-play so long
walks, or better yet someone that will take him jogging, would be
wonderful. Another dog who likes to play would be great and would help
tire him out. After all, he’s a young dog!
Parker is an act of
faith. What you see at first is a mere shadow of what you'll get with
an investment of time and patience. As the time goes by, you'll
receive the gift of a gorgeous GSD with energy to keep up with you all
day long and then some. You'll get a constant companion, a tireless
playmate, a hilarious entertainer, and the indescribable gift of
knowing you've given a second chance to a very deserving soul.
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