Always the gentleman. My Teiko is such a good boy. He always lets the Poodle have the sweet spot on the doggie bed.  That is a GOOD German Shepherd!

Into the Heart...

The stately German Shepherd- ...Protective, bold and smart, he looked into my eyes......And stole my heart.

Courageous and endearing, a stand out of  his  breed, so proud and yet so loving, a steadfast friend indeed.

Caring disposition, Faithful to the core.  

If you have a Shepherd’s love, you can never want for more.

Thanks - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Everything-German-Shepherd/142045142499674

My boy, Teiko.  I feel sad that I can't give you more of me.   

Dog puzzles, who knew?

Spent Saturday afternoon at Bad Dog Frida, a great local store for people who love their pets!.  They gave German Shepherd Rescue an afternoon of free publicity and a place to bring our foster dogs to meet new families.

Of course, to support such a great local store, I bought/found a new toy for Teiko.  It's a puzzle from a Swedish company - just like the dang educational toys and wooden puzzles I'd buy for the girls many moons ago.

Basically, you hide treats inside the dowels, slide them down the row and the dog has to figure out how to move the dowel to release the treat.

Teiko gets so excited when I bring the puzzle out.  He knows and smells the good and smelly treats.  He can move the dowels with his teeth and feet.  Sometimes he releases the treats but doesn't eat them because he's more interested in the next dowel.  Give him just a couple of more times.  I can see a more complicated puzzle coming in his Xmas stocking......

In the meantime, putting a puzzle on the floor with your dog and interacting with him, really reinforces how smart dogs can be and how much more we can do with our dogs.

Need a job for your heart?

Have a little time?  

Need some unconditional love?  

Maybe, just looking to give back a little in this life? 

Karma?

Then now might be the time to be a Foster Mama (or Papa) to a dog one shot away from nothing.

(Mira, my 6th foster dog and one I should have kept....:)

I got involved in dog rescue and fostering in 2008.  I did it for a couple of reasons.  

One, to be honest, I was looking for someone to love, my kids had grown and I'm a nurturer at heart (even though I had never thought of myself as such) but when the house was empty of demands, schedules, homework, practices, etc. after 20 years, I found I had some extra attention to give and no one to give it to.  

(Here's Trixie, now known as Hailey, who my parents fostered through the summer of 2011)

Two, I have been so fortunate to have had such amazing dogs in my life: (Puffy, Willy, Tasha, Cita and my sweet boy Teiko)  How could I not do something?

(My first dog, Puffy and me taking a "nap")

Three, I read a heart-felt plea about truly honoring your dog who had passed, by giving another dog a chance.  

So 10 foster dogs later. I've learned a few things...   

1. Dogs want to please you.  Just not always the way you're expecting....
2. Your energy - both good and bad says more to a dog than your voice.
3. All new dogs will "mark" your home at least once....  
4. Dog (and kids) need structure, rules, discipline and time to be free
5. Joy comes in quick moments and you had better pay attention: Like a wagging tail, a play bow, a successful "Come" or "Sit" and sometimes, if you are lucky, a full jump of joy.
6. Your trust in the dog is a powerful tool for training. 
7. Your heart always has room for just one more dog and that's why you can let go.

So here's Dakota, my parents' and my latest foster.  Dakota is truly a rescue in that she came from a neglect situation where she was forcibly surrendered by a dog-hoarding family that also kept wolves, yes...wolves.  For the first three years of her life, she was kept in an outside pen behind the barn (and yes, Wisconsin winters suck).  When coming to shelter, with no socialization to the real world, she was timid, cowered and would back-up from everything.  The only comfort she could give herself was licking her skinny hip.  

Thankfully, the family gave her to the local humane shelter, which spent the time getting to know her sweetness.  After a few calls and emails, Dakota found her way to GSRAW.  With a couple of months of love, attention, care and discipline she has just blossomed into an amazing young dog.  Yes, she has a lot to learn yet, but dang, she's come so far.  

Today Dakota and I worked on some house-dog basics.  She conquered the stairs.  She hammered the word - "Come" (always have a great $1000 treat - like ham). She worked on the sit, stay and wait commands.  She wore out my arm with a Wubba and her absolute joy to play. She sniffed every tree on our one hour walk.  And she didn't knock over the miniature poodle, Cita.   

The best moment:  She gives hugs.  Really!  She'll jump up gently, put her front paws around your middle,  tuck her nose in your side and just be.

Here is a great dog who just loves to be in safety and kindness and knows how good she has it. 

And the sad....she could have easily had been euthanized like so many others - because of her initial fear of new things.  

And imagine that.  What a loss of joy.

PLEASE, please consider fostering.  It makes your heart feel so good and it really does make a difference!  

Meet Dakota

Meet Dakota, our latest foster girl from German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin.  From what we know about this 3-year old girl , she was an owner-surrender to a Wisconsin county shelter.  It was a hoarding situation and the family had to give up a couple of dogs.  Dakota was kept in an outside pen behind a barn for three years with little interaction with others. And she was surrendered with a wolf.  Yes,  the family had wolves.  Are they nuts?

What we know so far about Dakota is she is a just sweet girl who bonds with a person totally but is very skittish and afraid of the unknown.   This lack of socialization causes her to try to run away from new people and experiences, cower and bark if backed into a corner.

But once she gets to know and trust someone, she is just a sweetie.  And guess where she landed?  Yep, my parents have opened the doors to Grama's Healing Center for Dogs.  This dog needs lots of love, attention and a safe place to decompress.   She's had a pretty full week already as a few days ago she had to have surgery to remove a broken canine.

She is recovering now and  was well enough on Thursday to take a set of blinds off the window at my parents' house. My father wanted to "test" how she'd do if he left the house for a short time..... My mom unbeknownst to this great plan was at the grocery store. She came home to a very happy dog sitting on the end table by said window wagging her tail and glad someone came home.... I think my dad came home a few minutes later and got a time out....

Great Facebook conversation today...

Doggy sat for Trixie today while my parents went to play in Baraboo at the Steam Engine show. I think it must have been payback for all the times I "dumped" the girls on my parents in the day.....:)

• Laura Tremain-Forbes likes this.
• • 
    

    Sandy Wedekind Remember what I have always told you - Don't get mad - get even!! (Even if it takes years!!!!)
    

    52 minutes ago ·  ·  1 person
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    Rylee Wedekind Yep! Life Lesson Number 1.....Got it, Mom. What evil punishment you bestowed on me today....:)
    

    50 minutes ago · 
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    Rylee Wedekind Sweet Trixie! What a great dog. Kind of like a grandchild, no?
    

    49 minutes ago · 
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    Sandy Wedekind Nope it is lesson #2 - Have you FORGOTTEN Rule/lesson #1!!!!!
    

    41 minutes ago · 
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    Rylee Wedekind Oh lord..... "It's not you I don't trust, It's everyone else...:
    

    41 minutes ago · 
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    Sandy Wedekind That's my girl!!! Love you!!!!
    

    36 minutes ago · 

Teiko meets some new friends

Teiko has had an exciting and socializing Sunday.  First, we went over to reintroduce him to Trixie, the foster dog, staying with my parents.  After some initial excitement, the pups settled down and we went for a nice long walk together.  Trix likes to walk right next to Teiko - shoulder to shoulder.  When he turns, so does she.  It's kind of neat to watch the Shepherds dance/walk down the sidewalk.

Next, we headed to the Mounds Petfood Warehouse to find Teiko a new bed.  His are pretty beaten up and as Todd said, this boy deserves a new bed because he's such a good dog.  After testing out four different kinds of beds, Teiko had his favorite - not too fluffy and not too hard.

On the way home, we stopped at one of the farms not far from our house to get some sweet corn.  The Farm had goats, sheep and horses.  Teiko decided he had to meet the resident goats.  After an initial "What the heck is that" bark, Teiko sashayed up to the fence to meet a very friendly goat.  A few sniffs and licks and the boy had had his fill of goats for the day.

One key to a great dog is socializing and introducing him to new experiences, places, people and other animals whenever you get an opportunity.  It makes their brains engage and get a work out along with their bodies.

Another training tip - A tired dog is a good dog, especially when he has a new bed to sleep upon.

Teiko watches the garden grow

Kind of been wondering why I have a few flowers not thriving in their current location.  Guess I have my answer now.  Of all the places to lay, Teiko chooses the rocky/muddy spot where I have a few flattened flowers.

Trixie from Dixie

Trixie is the newest foster dog to the family.  She is staying with my parents where she'll get tons of love, affection and a great place to decompress after her past month spent in a shelter, temporary rescues, tons of vet visits and a 2 day car transport from Tulsa, OK.  Yep, that's right we have Trixie from Dixie.  We're working on the accent and training her to the joy that is Wisconsin.    Having just got her today, don't know alot but can say, this is one sweet girl.  Loves to give kisses and is so very human focused.

Feels good to help another.

Cutest photo ever today

I'm sitting here blogging and my ever faithful pups are right next to me sound asleep.  You don't see Cita leave her little dog bed to sleep by Teiko very often.  Too Cute!

Rest in peace, sweet Ezra

Ezra came to my Mom and Dad in the late summer of 2009 through my volunteering with German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin.   The organization had received a frantic call from a young woman who had adopted Ezra earlier in the year (I had even approved the family during the home visit in the spring).  According to the young mom, the dog was un-trainable, peed/pooped on the carpet, and was definitely not what the family wanted. If GSRAW didn't pick up the dog immediately, she was going to the local kill shelter.  


I made a frantic (and somewhat guilty-feeling) drive to Sauk City on a Monday night expecting to find a freak dog.  What I found instead was a sweet and gentle  long-coated Shepherd who came right up to me, sat by my side.  I casually asked, knowing some of the situation, "how long is Ezra home alone each day".  The woman says, "oh, sometimes 10 to 12 hours a day."  Hum, I took one look at Ezra and if looks could talk, she was ecstatic when I put a leash on her and said "Let's go, Sweets!"


Unfortunately at the time, I had female foster Shepherd who did not want to share the house with yet another dog.  So on the way back to Madison, I called my Mom and asked if  "Grama's Doggy Daycare" had an opening and if Ezra could stay with her for a few days while GSRAW found a foster home where we could re-assess her "issues" and get her readopted.

Well, you know that Ezra ended up finding her forever home with Mom and Dad within days.  She didn't have any housebreaking issues, (as I suspected), and was a really sweet dog who got along just fine with my parent's other adored and deeply loved Shepherd, Katte.  And boy, did Ezra love people.  She'd get so excited to greet people coming to visit.  This dog found herself at home with my parents immediately.

Jeez, I guess being cooped up 10+ hours a day with no socialization makes a person a little unpredictable.  Fortunately, Ezra found her "fur-ever" home with my parents, traveled south in the RV last year and lived the life of luxury as is befitting such a sweet animal.


Almost a month to the day after my parents put Katte to sleep last summer, Ezra started limping and then she started flopping and staggering all within a few days.  A trip to the UW Vet school brought us the news that Ezra mosty likely had Degenerative Myelopathy  which seems to hit German Shepherds pretty hard.  


Through the fall, the DM continued it progressive wasting to the point that in December Ezra could no longer stand on her own. It was with sad hearts, that my parents made the decision to end Ezra's pain and suffering.  


Ezra is one of the reasons I volunteer with GSRAW and subject my mom to my fostering/rescuing adventures.  Yes, it is so hard to "give" your foster dogs away after caring for them, loving them, nurturing them.  But, it's even  harder to make them apart of your life and then have to let them go before their time...

But as a wise GSRAW friend told me
...We need to love them enough to put them out of their pain and suffering.    We have given them all our love and the best life possible,,,,and now we need to see them through to the end.    It never gets easier,,,,,no matter how many times you've been there.    It's all just part of loving an animal and accepting the gift and responsibility to the end.    They give us so much and ask so little in return.    They are truly a gift that we need to take care of and cherish to the end. How lucky she is to have you there for her.


Good bye, dear sweet Ezra.  We'll miss you.

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy

I can't believe Teiko is seven years old today.  What a good friend.  I remember when we got the little furball and he clung to me like glue.  He still does all these years later.   I see a long walk, treats and lots of love for my pup today!

Stanley, the rescued Pittie

Last December I posted a story about Stanley, a sweet but very sad-looking Pittie who was hours away from death at a over-filled shelter.

Tonight, I googled Stanley to find out what happened and how he's doing.  Cuz that's the kind of thing I do.

I'm happy to report that he's happily living with a great family, has recovered from mange and eye infections and even has his own facebook page.

What a great happy ever after story.

Please, please, please consider fostering or volunteering for a dog rescue group.  It will totally change you for the better.

Teiko enjoyed a beautiful sunset cruise on Beatons Lake. He was very happy in Doggy Paradise as well.

Nanuk of the North

Cita had a blast up at Beatons last week. Long hair and poodles don't necessarily make for easy grooming, but dang that girl had fun romping through the woods and even the beach at Lake Superior. Up North is also known as Doggy Paradise.

Teiko knows better....

Teiko decides that laying on the hostas is ok or at least better than tromping the mama's flowers.

With a little bit of love, patience and kindness

This poor dog was scheduled to be euthanized because it was labeled a freak. Wow, what a difference a half hour of patience and kindness can do. 

Plus, Edie the dog in this video reminds me of my crazy maltese/poodle Cita......  I could totally see Ceets going nuts on people if she was backed into a corner and scared out of her mind.  


Please, please consider rescuing your next dog friend. 

Pearl, 1993-2010

Said good bye to a sweet and dear dog friend a couple of weeks ago.  Pearl or Pooey as she was called, was a shelter dog rescued many years ago via Phoenix to Madison.  She gave her heart to her family and during many visits to our house taught Teiko that not all dogs wanted to eat him.  She lived for 16 years and 11 months.  

Good bye, sweet girl.  We'll miss you.  

Sunshine, the boot eater

The hell that is mine...being the Mama to a foster dog.  

 So on Thursday night, I was talking to my Mama on the phone while she was sitting in the warmth of the south in her R.V..

The dogs were at my feet, like they always are....Sunshine, my  foster dog,  had a great "bone" she was chewing on.  Only after I hung up the phone did I realized that bone was actually one of my favorite boots. 

OMG....I was so MAD!!!!  

Okay, deep breath.....it was really my own fault. I wasn't watching her.

However,  my favorite boots were destroyed.  So what does a woman do?  She goes to http://www.zappos.com/  

I totally found a pretty close  pair of boots - and ordered them at 7:30 on Thursday night.   Took the 3 day standard business shipping option.

 Went to work the next morning and told my colleagues about what my rotten, horrid, foster dog, Sunshine, did to my favorite boots.

 At 1:30 pm on Friday aternoon, a total surprise to me, a Zappos box was delivered.

WOW!

No one could believe that you could order something online the night before and get it the next day.  And they were awesome!!!!  LOVE 'em!

So I sent zappos an email telling them "thank you!!!" for the amazing delivery, awesome boots, and customer service.  And I mentioned my "horrid" foster dog, Sunshine.  Dennis from customer service, sent me an email back, telling me in part, because of  my fostering of dogs from GSRAW  I was now upgraded to their VIP group.  

SO now, the Mama is a card carrying member of Next Day Delivery. Yay!!!

Thank you my sweet little Ms. Sunshine. You are Mama's girl!

A disaster is averted.  And Mama will get shoes the next day forever.  

You are my sunshine

Sunshine is my 8th and newest foster dog from German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin.  She is just like her name, sunny, happy and a little powerhouse of energy.  She is currently waiting to receive heartworm treatment here in Madison.  Once we have her cured of that, this little doll will be available for adoption.

The music accompanying the video was recorded last week in New Orleans by my daughter, Ryann, while she was sitting in a jazz bar listening to some great music.  She sent me it as my birthday present as she knows it's one of my favorite songs.   Grama Boo has been singing it to me since I was a little girl.  Here's another story about the song from my blog - You are my Sunshine