I've gone and done it!!

[Sudilar]

Well, I finally turned in my foster home paperwork for GSD rescue in IL http://www.gsdrescue1.org/ . There was a black female GSD to foster, but I think Shiloh will be better with a young male instead of a female. This all depends on how Shiloh handles the foster situation. I know Killi will be fine. They said they will be calling me very soon.
Since it isn't likely that Leonberger Rescue will be calling me any time soon, I decided to go ahead with GSD rescue. I hope Shiloh agrees!

[aly]

YAAAAAY Sue! I'm so excited for you and can't wait til you get your first foster!

Shiloh - you be nice! Just remember the dogs will only be temporarily visiting and your mama won't forget about you! :)

[Cincy'sMom]

Yeah Sue! You are braver then I am :) I hope it works out well for you!

[lizbud]

Congrats Sue,

I think it's wonderful of you to be a GSD foster mom.
A doggie couldn't be in better hands.This is so exciting.
I sure hope Shiloh co-operates.There are so many truly
deserving pups out there in rescue who with a little help
and a lot of love, will make some family a great friend &
companion. I wish you the very best on your new venture.
Fingers & paws crossed that everything works out well.:D

[shais_mom]

woohoo good for you Sue!!
I agree with Amy, you are braver than I am!

[tatsxxx11]

That's fantastic, Sue!!!:) A foster couldn't be in better hands or paws!! I know that with your love, care and patience they will thrive!! Of course, once they settle in they won't want to leave!:D And just maybe it will help to perk Killi up a bit!:) I'll be hoping that Shiloh will come to enjoy her guests!!:D We want to hear all about the first arrival! Congratulations!! You're the best!

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Great news!! I hope Shiloh gets along with the foster. You know you're going to have to share pictures as soon as your lil foster arrives!

[Pam]

Originally posted by shais_mom
woohoo good for you Sue!!
I agree with Amy, you are braver than I am!

Staci took the words right out of my mouth! I will be looking forward to hearing all about how things go and of course would love to see pictures, pictures, pictures! ;)

[Logan]

I'm so proud of you, Sue!!! You will be richly rewarded for fostering, but I'll tell you honestly, your heart will break a little bit everytime one leaves you!! You just have to remember that you're doing it for the dog........and your purpose is to safeguard it for a little while and prepare it for a loving, new home. You probably remember the horrors I went through when Splash left me, after being here a month. I would strongly suggest that you find a way to keep in touch with the new owners. It helps so much to know that they are happy and healthy! I can just picture my Splash (she will always be "my" Splash :o ) romping with her sister, Amy, in the Vermont snow. It helps a lot.

Logan

[anna_66]

WOW Sue, that's wonderful! I wish you good luck!

[captain]

Sue,

Fantastic news, I really hope that all your "puppies" get along with the new foster. You are a braver person than I am.

I thought you might like to read my friend's story. She has adopted 3 GSD from rescue.

Her name is Joni, her dog is Hope, and this is their story. Sadly, Hope passed away recently, but Joni has a new dog - called Liberty.

You can see her dogs in my webshots album - Remington and Liberty(but I am waiting for another picture of Liberty, and of Hope too). The shot of Liberty was when GSD rescue picked her up, and really does not do her justice (although you can see how beautiful she is :)

http://www.best-pet-supplies.com/HopeGS_story.htm

[iceyshiver21]

thats good i hope it works out!:)

[K9karen]

What a beautiful story about Hope. Love conquers all. Dearest Sue, how awesome that you're deciding on rescue! Believe me, if I could, I would forever! I'm going to show this to my mom, who grew up with GSDand always loved them ( mommy love you Cody) Ya never know what the future holds in store!

[Sudilar]

Well, I've been asked to bring Shiloh to the next adoption event to meet some dogs. The place is about 1.5 hours away (my husband says more like 2 hours away the way I drive, no expressways)! It is Dec. 7th. If it's not icy or snowing out, I'll do it!

I'm bugging them to open a branch type operation out here in the southwestern suburbs rather than the northern burbs where they are located. There is a lady not toooo far from me who works with them and says that there is a great need to pull from our area shelters. If we could get more foster homes here, there are about 2-3 good GSD prospects to be pulled weekly. At the adoption event I went to, a few other foster homes signed up. Maybe a closer branch will be opened. That would be like a dream come true!! I'd be able to not only foster, but help out even more, if it was close. Cross your fingers.

Am I being too pushy (cause they don't even know me yet) to be asking or suggesting a branch here?

[Sudilar]

Captain, what a beautiful story!....I cried.

[Logan]

Sue,
I was thinking that if you're ready for them to ask you to handle the branch, then go for it! Nothing pushy about it at all!! I just know how hungry these rescue groups are for volunteers, and if you suggest something, you probably need to be prepared to help organize and take charge!! I'm sure you already anticipated that!!!
I wish you the best of luck!!
Logan

[Sudilar]

Logan, it seems like there is already a lady they call from area animal control all the time. It seems like she is trying to set something up closer. I am willing to help her all I can, but I haven't personally met her yet. Hehehe, pushy me....already.

[Sudilar]

I got a call today. They are going to pull an 8 month old male. He is an owner surrender. They think he is abused. He was hitting the dog as he was turning him in to animal control. They told him that he had better stop. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I will meet him first and if all goes well with me (why wouldn't it? :) )then he will met Killian and the selective Miss Shiloh. Hope she likes him. Wish me luck. ;)

[Rachel]

Good luck Sue. This should be so exciting.

[captain]

Sue,

Good Luck!!!!!:D

[Sudilar]

Monday morning we get to meet Pete (his name was Pig :mad: :mad: :mad: ). The rescue changed it. He is food protective so I must be sure Shiloh is not near him when he is eating. If all works out, he will come here on Tuesday or Wednesday.

[lizbud]

Sue,

Pete is the 8 mo old baby right? I'm so happy he will be
coming under your protection & care. No telling how long
he's been so mistreated. The man they took him from should
have been charged with animal cruelty, if the staff saw him
hitting the dog. Geeezh that makes me sooo angry !!! Once
in a better, safer enviroment, maybe Pete can learn a better
side of the human race.:) Update anytime you can please.
Thanks, Liz.

[Stenograsaurus]

I hope all goes well today. God Bless you, Sue.

[Sudilar]

Well, where do I begin.... My fostering almost came to an abrupt halt when my nose was close to being removed from my face. First my husband and I met Pete. He was good with the rescue lady and let my husband and I pet him. She told me that they had an incident in the morning when the vet went to take a toy away from him. He snapped at the vet. Then in the course of me petting him for a while acting fine, he went for me. My face was close. The rescue lady was in control of him at all times and disaster was averted. OK, this dog was not for me. BTW, that was the first time any dog had gone for me. When she mentioned the toy aggression problem, I also knew that he and Shiloh would not get along already. The dog will not be able to be adopted out. He is unpredictable. She may call to see if the police dept. would take him. He is only 8 months old and I feel really bad for him.

So, I said ok, call me when you have another come in......well, so happens, she picked up one this morning from his home........owner surrender, 7 year old male. He came from a background of neglect and other issues that I won't go into right now. His name is Gaylord. He is 71 lbs. should probably be in the 90's. He is a handsome black and red. He was very people friendly and was barking at the other shepherd in the office. (So here I'm thinking, yeah, Shiloh will be growling at him barking....)
He was fine with us (my nose was safe), so next he was to meet Killian.

Killian is just such a good guy! They sniffed and checked out each other and Gaylord put his paw on Killi's back (uh oh, testing the dominance....) the rescue lady told Gaylord to leave it and he immediately did. Killi just moved from under his paw (no problem). Continued greetings, no conflicts, one more paw on back, leave it. Good.
Now.....Miss Picky, the Queen........ Everyone is ready for major turmoil. Nothing. They check each other out, no barking, nothing! (Shock) Sniffing, nothing. Again, good! Next we brought Killian back in and let all three hang out. They were fine. Gaylord went to sniff Shiloh's mouth and she raised her lip to remind him that her pearly whites were ready, if necessary.......nothing, he moved away. Again, the pearly whites were called out on an encore performance because Gaylord was too close to her mouth. Nothing, he moved off.
Ok, looking good. I still have my nose. Killian's back is his own. Shiloh's pearly whites are under cover. We have a match.

He will be neutered tomorrow and come home to us on Wednesday, unless he is heartworm positive. What an exciting day!

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Sue, what a day!!! Thank goodness you're ok. Poor Pete:(:( I hope the police dept. can save him. I loved your story of the "big introduction!!":) Phew!!!!!!! Sounds like you DO have a match!!! I"m so excited for you and so proud to say I know you!! Can't wait to hear how Gaylord settles in! Great job Sue. Others might have shyed away after the scare with Pete. Good luck!! We're rooting for you! And we're so proud of Killian and Shiloh!

[Cincy'sMom]

WOW! Such excitement! I feel bad for Pete, but obviuosly you could not put yourself or the dogs into that situation. Hopefully something can be done to help the poor guy out.
Congrats on Gaylord! Sounds like he should work out well at your house! Way to go Killi and Shiloh, letting your mommy help out another poor pup! Keep us updated!

[lizbud]

Sue,

Wow, what an introduction. I'm glad you were not hurt
of course, but sounds like Pete needs rehabilitation done
before he would be ready for fostering. Poor guy.:( He
might still be saved, but it would take someone(one on one)
that has the experience working with traumatized dogs.
I hope the police dept has time to work with him. Gaylord
sounds like he would be a better fit for Killian & Shiloh. She
knows how to let him know who's in charge. Hope he settles
in nicely. Fantastic job you did Sue. :D A lot of people would
have been scared off of fostering by a bad first experience
like that. Hugs from Liz & Moki.

[delidog]

Oh Sue,
Poor Pete...I hope it works out for him...but it sounds like you have a match that will work!!!!!!!
Thank you For making this effort!!!!!!!
keep us updated!!!!!!
Good luck!!!!
hugs to Killian and shiloh!!!


p.s.
cincysmom...love the new signature photo!!!!;)

[ownerof3dogs]

Wow that was a close call. I am glad that you were not hurt. I would of had to change my pants after that:eek: If ya now what I mean;)

Anyway, I am glad that you found such a sweet dog to foster and everyone gets along. That a bonus! Have Fun!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by delidog



p.s.
cincysmom...love the new signature photo!!!!;)

Thanks! It shows up darker then I would hope, but I think it is cuse our scanner is old!

[Sudilar]

News... there's something to be thankful for, thanks for your prayers:
Pete will be going to a professional dog trainer. They were to meet this morning. If anyone can help this dog, he can. Cross your fingers that it works. He was too young and too abused to not try to help further. I can now show you his picture, now that I know he has a chance!! and I still have my nose.
http://www.gsdrescue1.org/frames/pete.htm

[Cincy'sMom]

Yeah for Pete! We will pray this helps the poor guy!

[Rachel]

Waiting to hear if Gaylord has arrived yet. This is so exciting...set another plate for Thanksgiving.