We have a new addition to the family.

Paige is a ten year old German Shepherd. She has been with one owner her whole life. Her previous owner (don't know whether it was male or female) died at home. When the owner was found, Paige was still at his/her side. The owner had been dead for a WEEK. The owners family took Paige to the pound.

We got a call from a German Shepherd Rescue organization about Paige (her original name). The organization authorized me to pick her up. Evidently Paige has won the hearts of everyone there. The vet at the pound even gave me a big hug!

She is very, very traumatized. I brought her home and immediately gave her a bath. Not only did she STINK, her fur had dried stuff on it that I was afraid had come from her owner (think CSI) She evidently had a winter coat, but the stress caused her to start shedding, and she had HUGE chunks of loose fur. My dog and she were fine. The cats not so much! LOL. She was GLUED to my side. Literally. If I move an INCH, she was pressed against me. When my mom came over, Paige wouldn't even LOOK at her, she kept scooting closer to me.

We talked it over and decided that the best person to keep Paige is one of my sisters. I REALLY wanted to keep her. But because I work 12.5 hour shifts with an hour travel time each way, I take my dog to my mother's house when I work. Mom's dog is very elderly, in poor health, and doesn't like other dogs. It wouldn't be fair to Mom's dog, nor to Paige to have to switch back and forth like this. So, with not a few tears and heart pangs, because I already loved her, I took her over to my sister. Let me add that this is not my favorite sister. Well, my nephew Brandon (15.75 years, 6 feet) took Paige's leash and led her away. I drove home crying.

Tonight I got an update. Paige has attached herself to Brandon and they are inseparable. Paige will live the rest of her life being very well loved, and I'm sure will learn to be secure again.

As a great dog lover here, so glad that Page has a happy ending!
What a wonderful thing you did!


Ninnie

I'm sorry that you could not keep her, but it sounds like she found a new buddy in your nephew. Bless your hearts for taking her in and giving her a new home!!!

Thanks Gai - I'm now sobbing like an idiot! Oh, I love the sound of Paige! I used to have a GSD named Hetty who was like my shadow. They are very one person dogs - sounds like she and Brandon will have a bond for life.

K x

Thanks K. We were all in tears too. Imagine, the poor dog stayed by her dead owners side for a week. No food or water (at least after the first couple of days). This is tropical weather, so it could not have been pleasant, and no one would think twice if the dog were in another room. No, she was laying nearby. And then to be dumped at the pound. I guess I don't know the relative's circumstances, but she deserved better than that.

Since she's an older dog, they were worried about her chances of being adopted. In the Houston area more than ONE MILLION animals are euthanized every year. The Rescue Organizer was telling me that she had been unable to find a home for a really sweet mixed breed, six months old, great with kids, house broken, and that he will be put to sleep this morning. I don't think they keep them longer than a week. In fact, Paige had been there a week already, and was due to be put down, but the vet was so touched by her story and how sweet she is, that she gave her a couple of extra days. We got her just in time.

OMG Gai - if I had the resources I'd have a million dogs! I don't dare go to the rescue centre here. Dougal Dog was 'rescued' from a riding stables when I was on holiday - I said how cute he was and the owner said ' oh THAT, we're having it put to sleep, it keeps killing the neighbour's chickens'. He's SCARED of my chickens so that was a load of BS!

K x

Here's a pic of the killer dog! He's looking over his shoulder to make sure they don't sneak up on him while his back is turned! :D

k x

Good Lord! Of course he's scared! They're bigger, have longer legs, meaning they can run faster as well as fly, and their beaks are sharper! Plus, there's a whole POSSE! Poor Dougal!

I'm so glad you saved him. And I'll bet he's appropriately grateful. I am!
Hugs to you !

Gai

Saving the world one critter at a time!

Oh Gai...what a great story! I'm so glad that you got involved and that Paige has a new love in her life. Its amazing to me what kind of love animals have for their owners, especially considering what some owners do to the animals! Big hugs to you, your nephew AND the person that thought to call you! :D

Wheres that dang blasted kleenex box? Oh wow! what a happy ending :cry: :cry: :cry:

Such a sad story. Glad it has a happy ending though.

My Mom died sitting on the sofa and her dog stayed right next to her until my poor Dad realized she was dead. Poor Dad did not even realize he should call 911 - he went in search of the family doc who lived on the next strret! Doc wasn't home so he came home and went to the neighbors and told them that he thought his wife was dead. They called 911 for him. I then inherited her dog as my Dad really couldn't take care of him.

Oh Gai, so happy for Paige!!! Brandon must be very loving for Paige to take to him so fast, and trust him. Sounds like you made a very good choice! :-)

Our two collie muttleys are both from a rescue. Mollie, who we've had for almost three years now, is still really skitterish around any guys, even my sons still. Squeakers still has food issues, we have to have separate dishes as she quards/hoards her food. Whatever they've went through in their previous life, they've yet to get fully over it. I'll never believe they don't have the same feelings as we do!

K3n - love the picture of Dougal, looking over his shoulder at the chickens!! lol!!!!!!!! :D

Gai,....sniff, sniff...bawwwwww!!!!
from sad to happy... :cry: - :D :!:
How did they know to call you?
I bet your just the best nurse, too!
I know you make a good friend...sniff, sniff...hugs!!!
Will you get to see Paige again? So glad she went to nephew.
That was the bravest, kindest thing, to do what was right for her.
oh, bawwwwwww......you brought my softie side out.... :)

That's so touching. That poor, poor dog. I don't remember all the details, but sometime last year a man collapsed and died on a hike with his two dogs (labs or Irish Setters???) Anyway, the man was reported missing and wasn't found for over a week. And, same as Paige, both dogs were found laying next to the man "protecting" him. I guess the rescuers had to be very gentle to able to get to him. And every so often I think of those dogs and wonder what lasting trauma they have, and I pray that they are happy. I hope Paige and your nephew develop a very close bond and that she can feel that honest love again.

You know that you're an angel for taking and providing for this sweet dog. Dogs do get traumitized just like people. We saw someone in a car "dump" a little black poodle and drive off. Being dog lovers like you, we just had to pick her up. She had a rough time learning to trust and at first didn't even want to go outside by herself. Even so, she became a loving, loyal, devoted pet and I miss her to this day. (she was very old, too)---can't imagine why someone would dump a dog???

My sister said she looked in Brandon's bedroom last night and Brandon was sleeping on the floor with the dog!

That is so sweet. I think I would have invited the dog into my bed though!

What a sad and happy (sappy?) story. I'm glad Paige is going to a new and good "forever" home.

Beachlady, I think he probably did and she wouldn't do it. I can't begin to describe how traumatized she is. And maybe she wasn't allowed on the furniture in her old home. I'm sure as she becomes more secure she'll be on the bed. Brandon is a kid, he can sleep anywhere! lol

I'm so glad you were able to get her and give her to a good home.

That is so sad,but what a happy ending. German sheps are my faverite big dog,the standard poodle being almost its equal. I have owned 4, SugarB a white shep. Shelly a long haired tan almost no saddle. Tara the light of my life at that time.
BillsBonBon

Aww, what a sad story -- but what a happy ending!! Boy and dog will not soon be separated...

Thanks for sharing. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Thank goodness she got a second chance with your nephew. I'm sure it will be good for both of them.

Oh my! A boy and his dog! I'm filling up again! Gai, any chance of a photo of Paige with Brandon at some stage?

K x

I'm so glad there was a happy ending.

Francy-pants (lol, I love it), I'm working almost 100 hours in the next 5 days, so it won't be before Sunday. Then I'll see what I can do about some photos.

That's 20 hours a day!!!!!

Love from FP!

Just about. 12.5 hours official work time, plus 15 minutes either way for clocking in and out, plus an hour commute each way, plus an hour to get ready, plus an hour to wind down after work (and check on the Quilting Board) and feed all the critters, equals 17 hours. Doesn't leave much sleep time. Just call me "Exhausted living in the State of Fatigue".

To be fair, I wasn't scheduled that many hours, but they called me in last night 'cause they were desperate. So, it's time for me to go drool on my pillow.

TTFN