100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 83 - Ross Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Day 83 of our 100 Days with 100 proved to be an unhappy one with another dog recently passing.

It is with much sadness that we report that Ross was the latest victim of this sudden kidney failure. He was a young healthy dog of 18 months and showed no signs of illness until this morning. He looked flat so Lawrence rushed him to the vet. Sadly he was too far gone and the vet advised euthanasia. Ross will have a private cremation and his ashes sprinkled in the field he loved to play in. Fly high Ross ❤️

Sincere thanks to Lawrence who took such good care of Ross for us.  It is a very difficult time for a kennel when they lose a dog. We can’t help feeling responsible but we know our kennels always go above and beyond for our dogs. ❤️

This is particularly concerning as we've had 3 young healthy suffer kidney failure in the past week. Two sadly didn't make it and Ned still hasn't recovered. Each lived in different locations so a viral infection is unlikely, but it seems too much of a coincidence to ignore. None of the dogs had access to toxic substances that might have been a cause. We advise keeping an extra close watch and seeking veterinary advice if your dog becomes unwell - especially if they're showing signs of jaundice.

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 82 - Meet Ned

We've reached Day 82 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs and we're spacing out the posts a bit as we're planning something cool for the final post in the series and we think it'll be best to do it in the New Year.  Beyond that, we're already looking at building upon this series and we'll reveal more about that in the New Year.

Meet Ned

Ned is about 4 years old. We think that the owner wasn't completely candid in the reason they brought him to us. The behaviour we're seeing doesn't correspond at all and is in fact a more dangerous behavioural case than we expected. 

He first presented some issues at one of the kennels we work with. The main issue was Ned's reluctance to return to the kennels. We work closely with the kennels we use as dogs can be there for extended periods so we need to make sure that they are suitable. The owners and staff with the kennels are all brilliant and happy to go the extra mile if any dogs need it. Despite this extra attention, we do encounter the occasional dog that just doesn't settle in a kennel environment.

With this in mind and as he hadn't exhibited any other warning signs we found Ned a home as quickly as possible. After a month the adopter contacted us about threatening behaviour towards them while on walks. We immediately brought him back into welfare and saw the issue. He'd been made to wear four collars and it took us nearly a month for Ned to trust us enough to remove them. 

Ned can be the most loving boy but he can quickly turn and bite if something didn’t suit him. He still often refuses to return to his kennel and cannot be bribed or encouraged to do so of course we're not going to use force and destroy the fragile trust we're building except in the direst situation. As he's in a secure area we leave him be and he lets us know when he's ready, although by that stage he's often very upset. We'll continue working with him at the pace he sets, but it seems likely he might become one of our permanent residents.

Part of the reason we were formed was to ensure that even dogs that couldn't be homed whether because of complex health issues, behavioural problems or even due to court orders aren't killed and we undertake to look after them for the rest of their lives. Of the 120+ dogs we have at the moment, 30 of them are permanent residents.

Lifelong care requires a substantial commitment and you can help us by sponsoring one or more of these dogs:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/product/sponsor-a-dog/

Treat Someone Special This Christmas - And Help Vulnerable GSD's at the same Time|

We're delighted to announce that in partnership with Wendy's Personalised Gifts we now have a range of personalised Christmas gifts and decorations along with our existing 2023 Calendars and Christmas Cards. And treating yourself or that special loved one has never been so guilt-free knowing that whatever you order will help a vulnerable German Shepherd live a life they deserve - not one they've suffered.

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/shop/

 

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 81 - Newcomer Max

Day 81 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs series introduces the newly arrived Max. We would ordinarily conduct a longer assessment period before posting, but he's such a sweetie and his background means that getting him into a loving environment again as quickly as possible would be the best we can do for him.

Max is  6 years old, and very sweet, although he's a bit worried at the moment with finding himself in kennels. He's come into welfare because of a family relocation and has clearly been well looked after. 

Max has obviously been a loved dog and he's good with other dogs, He also appears to be great with children. He hasn't been tested with cats. He has been neutered and is currently located in Clacton, Essex.

If you can provide Max with the loving home he needs then please contact us via the form on our adoption page here:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 80 - Fond Farewell to Jerry

After being cheered up by Dickie's hormones we have some happy news for the 80th day in our 100 Days with 100 Dogs series!

We're happy to say that the amazing Jerry has left to start his new life with his new mum. Jerry so needed to find a place to call home where he can gain independence from Tom and in return, I think he will help mend his new mum's heart. I feel sure they will make a great partnership. 

Thank you Kerrie for opening your home and heart to Jerry ❤❤❤ we look forward to seeing updates 🥰

Of the dynamic duo that leaves the ever-energetic Tom looking for his forever home. He's quite boisterous and can be vocal at times although he's responding well to training. It should be remembered that he has missed out on the crucial socialisation period so extra care will be needed with him and no young children or other pets in the household would be best. So far he's not shown any issues and he's very affectionate and will make an amazing companion for the right person.

If you can offer Tom a home to develop, grow and be loved in then please get in touch:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

Please Like, Follow and Share this post to help find Tom the future this young lad deserves!

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 79 - Dickie Big ...

After a grim week, Dickie has joined us for the 79th day in our 1009 Days with 100 Dogs series - I'm sure we can rely on him to cheer things up a bit...

Dickie Big B....

Hello pupstars although I guess I'm not a pub anymore so Hi everypawdy instead!. Its Dickie Hill here and I thought I would just check in with you all. I'm 11 months old now so very soon I'll celebrate my first birthday. It's very exciting!

Mum says she can tell I'm that age because of the hormones. I don't know what that really means but she keeps calling me Billy Big something which is silly because she knows my name is Dickie. 

She also said that we probably have another year of this hormones thing and she doesn't look happy about it. Apparently we need to practice all the things I already knew because I seem to have forgotten it all. 

Instead of being just me and Ada on our walks we now play with ACE and Beau. They are not quite as much fun as Ada but we still have good times.  Mum says I am still a good boy really. I hope you are all well. Love Dickie xxx

Mum and I also say 'Thank You' to those of you helping Bella and her pups - it's very kind of you. We're closer to our target, but there's still more needed. I wonder instead of presents (well maybe some presents) people helped Bella that would be a nice surprise for Mum and Bella - what do you think?

https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-appeal-for-bella-and-her-five-pups

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 78 - Princess and Shadow Cross the Rainbow Bridge

It has been a sad week for Welfare. 

On Tuesday Princess needed a vet check because she wasn't eating and continually straining to go to the toilet. Clearly, this caused her considerable distress. Sadly the vet agreed that there was something serious causing stomach problems and that at her age it wasn't fair to her to keep her suffering. He recommended euthanasia and heartbreaking as it always is we agreed. Princess joined us very recently and we can'#t help but wonder if this was why she'd been relinquished to us. 

Then today, Shadow appeared as bright as a button all day. He went for a walk this afternoon and then an hour later he lay lifeless in his kennel. He was rushed to the vet but sadly was dead on arrival. 

Princess was buried at Rose's and Shadow will be privately cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the field where he loved to play. 

It always hits hard when we promise these dogs a new life and we don't get to fulfil our promise. 

Our sincere thanks to Rose Greig and Lawrence John respectively for taking such good care of Princess and Shadow whilst in Welfare ❤