And Now Some Good News

[teigyr]

Max is beautiful He looks like he'll be a fine dog and he looks really intelligent.

The "hidden squirt gun" thing also works on cats.

I just love hearing about rescue animals.

[Python]

I've just wrote this.

We drove for miles and miles something we didn’t do. The kids were loud and I knew there was something wrong. They thought because I’m a dog, I couldn’t understand but when I heard “We’ll be rid of him soon” and “Hate that dog” my blood ran cold. I hoped it couldn’t be true.

They had me since I was a puppy. The younger kids pulled my tail, pulled my ears, poked me and crawled over me. I happily let them. I would protect them. That was my calling in life. It’s what German Shepherd Dogs do.
Then I grew up, and a handsome lad though I say so myself, but they grew tired of me. They stopped playing with me, didn’t like taking me out. So many times I heard “Stupid dog!”. Slowly they were breaking my heart.

Then one day they brought another puppy home. He was cute and cuddly – just like I had once been. Then we all went in the car. After a very long time, they stopped the car and pushed me out. They drove away and left me. I didn’t know where I was. I was so frightened. I wandered around and tried to find them but they’d gone and left me. My heart was broken because even though they didn’t love me anymore, I still loved them.

Many days and nights passed by. I foraged for what I could find from bins. I tried to find shelter but although it was summer it was wet and cold. I cried myself to sleep every night. What was to become of me?

Then a lady found me. She said I was very handsome and shouldn’t be out on my own. She took me to a rescue centre. I had no name tag, no microchip so no-one knew who I was. The people there were very kind and gave me the first good meal I’d had in many days. They put me in a kennel. It felt like a prison. There were many other dogs, all just like me. They took me to their vet who said I was in good health. They tried to find my owner but no-one came for me. My family had gone. They didn’t care and they didn’t love me anymore. I thought on the poor puppy. He would suffer the same fate as me one day.

Then one afternoon all the dogs began barking so I joined in. A lady and a man were looking at all us dogs waiting for a new home. They stopped by my kennel and looked at me. I barked my loudest. I wasn’t being nasty, I was begging them to choose me. The kennel lad came and took me out and I leaned on the lady. She seemed to like that and she patted me and scratched my ears. Then I leaned on the man and he smiled kindly at me and patted me too. He looked sad but when he saw me he smiled. We went for a short walk and I was on my best behaviour. When we came back, the kennel lad put me back in my kennel. How my heart sank. The man and the lady went to look at another dog. She was very pretty but I so hoped they’d choose me.

They kept looking back at my kennel. Oh please, choose me I thought. Then they came back and looked at me again. I barked and barked, jumped up at the door. They looked straight into my eyes, and I theirs. They asked to see me again. The lady knelt down beside me and I gently licked her hand. She put her arms round me and told me she liked me. They didn’t put me back in the kennel. Could this mean? Could it be?

They took me down to the front gate and I saw a car I hadn’t seen before. The lady and the man had gone into the house. They seemed to be there for a long time, but everyone was smiling and happy. The lady and the man came out and said to me “Let’s go home”. He opened the car and I jumped in. I couldn’t believe it. They had adopted me.

I listened to them and they had a German Shepherd Dog before me. She had been very old and ill and they had to do the kindest thing. They said they were lost and lonely without a dog, that they would never forget their dog but that they would love me too just as much.

Last night I slept in comfort in my new Mum and Dad’s bedroom. I felt honoured and so happy. Today my new Mum bought me a lovely collar with my new name, address and even the telephone number on. My new Mum and Dad are going to get me microchipped in case I ever get lost. They play with me, take me walks and tell me how much they love me already. I love them too. I’m so lucky I’ve found my Forever Home and my new Mum and Dad keep saying how lucky they are to have found me.

Yesterday I was Nobody’s Dog. Today I am Somebody’s Dog.

[Deborajen]

Congratulations on the new adoptee! He's a good-looking fella for sure.

We adopted our Husky from a rescue group. She chased the cats at first, too, but after a few loud "NO"'s and also after having some time to figure out her people like the cats, she doesn't mess with them anymore. Max is an intelligient breed/mix so I'm sure he'll train quickly.

Best wishes - Glad Max found his way to a good home.

Deb

[Python]

We've just come back from a long walk and some play in the fields behind our house. Max spotted some other dogs and took off. All he wants to do is play - and do naughty things with the lady dogs One of the dogs playing in the park was a Greyhound girl. Max thought his luck was in and chased her all round the field. I couldn't help thinking "Silly boy. That's a Greyhound and you're not going to catch her". Gave him some good exercise though He's definitely going to have to go to the vet to get neutered. We have a registration appointment with our vet tomorrow evening so I will discuss that and book him in tomorrow. Part of the conditions of us adopting him is that we get that done and also him microchipped. That can be done while he's under the anaesthetic.

With proper training (I'll find out from our vet where the dog training classes are held) he'll be a super dog. Because of his speed, intelligence and agility, I think he would really enjoy agility training.

He hasn't attempted to chase our cats today. He was nose to nose with Blue and they just sniffed at each other and didn't do anything. He's learning very quickly that the cats are part of the family.

[Ninabike]

Python, Max' "story" is so sad and so beautiful. Thank you for adopting Max.

[rij73]

Oh Python,

Your story and the latest update made me so happy. I do believe that rescued dogs understand what it means to be rescued. Their relief at finding a home is palpable. Over the first few weeks my Hudson (see avatar) was with us, we could feel him gradually coming to the realization that this was his real and final home and family. It was so moving to see him get more comfortable and relaxed each day. Now one year later, it's as if he was always here. I can't imagine life without him and I hope we've replaced his bad memories of the past with happy ones.

[PinkBike]

python, look into "the dog whisperer," cesar millan. if you haven't heard of him he's got a show on the national geographic channel. he's also got books and dvd's. this man knows dogs. watch him once and you''ll get hooked.

i am not a dog person, i like cats, but i watch his show every day for the shear beauty of what he can accomplish. his website has clips.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../dogwhisperer/

anybody with a dog should at least know the basics ("exercise, discipline, affection").

[Python]

Thanks Pinkbike. I'll have a look for that. We're going up to the vets in about half and hour. They usually have details of dog training classes as I think Max would benefit from that (and us too). He did try and chase my cat last night (the old, crippled cat who lives in our bedroom) and was scolded for it ("No!!! Bad boy!!!). He knew he'd done wrong and lay down quickly. Our last dog was the same initially with our cats but learnt very quickly not to chase our cats. She also learned the hard way when she went too close to one of our cats - and got her nose shredded. She soon learned chasing cats wasn't a good idea and for years the cats used to curl up with her, especially in winter. Us humans couldn't get anywhere near the fireplace. The furkids were all curled up in front of it