Ch..Ch..Ch...Changes

Ok - Murphy is out! :(   Apparently he was turned into a shelter against a breeder/owner agreement - so he went back to the breeder.  But after the initial evaluation - he turned out that he would have been too much dog for me anyway.  At least he has found his way back into the caring home of his dedicated breeder.  That is good news!

I'm still waiting to visit with Rufus and Georgia, they should be moved into the All Shepherd Rescue (ASR) system in Maryland soon.    ooohhh! I can't wait!!

Today, however was a very exciting day!!!!  We drove to Columbia to meet, Rosie!!  She has to be the absolutely most gorgeous Shepherd I have ever seen!!  Beautiful Red with Black coloring.  Stunning.  What was even better???? Her personality!  She was so sweet and lovable.  We hung around the shop where the Rescue was having an awareness showing for their program for about 1 1/2 hours.  (Hubby scored big points for being sooo patient) I got to walk around with Rosie, got a million puppy kisses, ruined her dinner by giving her WAY too many treats and observed her as she reacted to other people and her surroundings.

Very exciting....  She is definitely on the minimum side of my size requirements.  The poor dear was malnourished in the kennel that ASR rescued her from - so she has some fattening up to do.  Height-wise she is just barely there, but I'll get Aja's opinion when we can arrange another visit with the trainer.

Rosie was just the perfect lady.  She obviously was eager and happy to meet strangers - even kids, but not once did she pull forward to meet someone.  She was engaged in her surroundings, but if the people passed by without taking much notice, Rosie just sat happily at our sides -- tail a-wagging.  Now if someone approached, she stood up, wagged her tail and smiled --- but again, she didn't pull toward the people, just let them come to her.  And then charmed them to pieces!!

She needs leash manners, but is not a puller. (BONUS)  She just doesn't seem to know what to do or who to follow (if others are around).  I'm in love!!!  But I know I need to be objective --- which is why I'm relying entirely on Aja (the trainer) to be my objectivity.  Since we ALL know I have no will power and am a sucker for an adorable pet!

*Sigh* So the saga continues... ASR is working on getting Rufus and Georgia into Maryland so we can meet them - and we are trying to coordinate with Aja on her evaluation(s).

Gosh... I wonder what it's like to have patience???

I almost forgot! Here is a picture of Rosie and me.

Ohhh the anticipation!

Well, the Shepherd Rescue adoption coordinator doesn't think I'm completely nuts (yet), she even said she liked my enthusiasm!  :)  Whoo Hoo!!

I want to apologize to all for the Gloria reference (oops, did it again) and getting that song stuck in your heads.... but the dogs name is actually Georgia.  Not sure HOW I mixed that up!

I just read (on the rescue site) an update on a male GSD named Murphy (yes that really is his name).  He was previously a NO, NO with cats.  But he has moved into his foster home with 3 cats, so I'm waiting to see how he does with that -- if he doesn't eat any of them, there is hope.

Of course he does have one set of adoptive parents interested in him first (pout), but the foster parent update also describes him as having a strong drive and great strength and professional training is a must. All traits I'm looking for, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

It also sounds like there is a good chance of heading down to West Virginia the weekend of Nov 19th to meet Rufus and Georgia (just waiting on the foster parents to check their schedule).

Good Gravy! This is all so exciting!!

Waiting...

Did I ever tell you that I have the patience of a sand flea??? Especially when I get an idea in my head - I want to implement it NOW. *Sigh*

I have been approved by All Shepherd Rescue and I have already been put on the top of the list to look at Rufus (how cute of a name is that?), and I just asked a bout a new arrival, Gloria (sorry, I know you all just got THAT song in your head simply by reading her name...ugh).  Gloria just happens to be at the same foster home a Rufus, but they are still in West Virginia and technically not within the actual foster group of All Shepherd Rescue.

Now the volunteers of the Rescue are graciously working with that foster home to see if we can set up a visit in WV.  Let me add here that the volunteers at All Shepherd Rescue are so nice and friendly (and I'm not saying that in case they read my blog - especially since I don't think they even know about my blog) -- they REALLY are just nice people who care about these dogs!!  However, if anyone is going to push their patience to the limits.... it will be me.  Go figure.

I have e-mailed them twice in a few days to inquire about going to WV to see Rufus and then to share my interest in Gloria (darn, there is that song again!).  I wonder how many e-mails constitute cyber stalking???

Look at that face -- that's Rufus!  Doesn't he just look like a big goofy guy?

Gah! It doesn't help that they are all so dang cute and the descriptions that the foster parents write make you fall instantly in love with them.

Okay, that's it for now.  I'm going to sit on my hands... at least until later today, if I haven't heard back from the Rescue.... :rolleyes:

Approved!!

Well, after a long process, I have finally qualified to adopt a dog from The All Shepherd Rescue group. WOO HOO!  This rescue group has foster homes throughout Maryland taking in German Shepherd dogs and place them up for adoption to pre-approved homes.  I am very proud to have successfully been approved to adopt from this group.

With winter coming, we have decided to go in the direction of adopting a dog and working directly with a trainer, training the dog to be my service dog.  The option of driving to Laurel, to Fido's for Freedom, multiple times a week was going to prove difficult with my schedule (or should I say my son's Scout schedule, cross country schedule, college search schedule..... sheesh) - and winter weather adding to the long drive.

Having a dog here at home, leaves me to work one on one with the dog more regularly, but on my own schedule.  Aja Harris, the trainer from Mutt Magic Training Services, is extremely experienced with obedience training, agility training and competitive training, and has a strong backing with many of the vets and local shelters in the area.  Not to mention she is just the friendliest person!!

So, despite a long lull in my blog posting, I hope to now maintain a regular dialog as we visit new dogs, get  some preliminary pointers from Aja about the traits to look for in a potential service dog.  I hope I can figure out how to post pictures to the blog, so I can share in the fun that is surely coming my way in this endeavor.

First up is a meeting with Rufus -- and boy does his name fit him!!  He is a large shepherd mix (probably mixed with Rottweiler).  He is a big goofy guy!  The pictures show him with partially floppy ears, a big grin and a lolling tongue.  We have to drive to West Virginia to get our first look at him, but I can't resist those big eyes - so we are going to make a mini-vacation out of the trip.

Waiting in the wings is another large German Shepherd (most likely all Shepherd) named Murphy.  The Representative from All Shepherd Rescue is very favorable about him being a perfect match for my needs except he has one small little problem.  Or technically he has a problem with small things... notably cats.  They need to evaluate him and his apparent 'taste' for the feline critters to see if this is something we can overcome with training.  I am hoping to keep my current number of cats at 3, and I wasn't planning on using them as reward treats -- :) -- so we'll see how that one pans out.

An update on the fundraising, I have gobs of ink cartridges and plan on making my first shipment to the recycling place next week.  Please keep saving them, as well as used cell phones - as we will be needing the funds earned from the recycling project.  Fido's for Freedom will be getting a donation from the first batch (and funds collected after the adoption fee and some of the training is paid for) - because they have been a huge help in setting me on the right track.  If it weren't for the 100 mile round trip, I would have applied to them to get a service dog.  And either way, they provide a much needed service and are worthy of any financial help we can provide.

More news coming soon - so check back often!