Heartfelt Lament for Norris

Editor: It's been a harsh start for 2023 for too many two and four-legged friends and I've found myself lagging recently with some stuff I needed to focus on so I'm also catching up with our furry charges. Like rescues and shelters across the world, we're all in it for the dogs' welfare and sometimes our own lives need some attention but of course, we carry on trying to help the dogs as well. We endeavour to give all of our rescues the life they deserve rather than the one inflicted upon them. In some cases that means we have to keep them in our care and even with the ever-increasing numbers each of them means as much individually as when we had half the number of dogs we do today. It's always heartbreaking when a loved one pass but we should remember that at least we were able to give them a life they enjoyed no matter how bad the start might have been. 

That's only possible thanks to the dedication of the professionals we work with who always go that extra distance. And without you all we couldn't keep doing this - it's your direct support that enables us to do this! Anyway, I'll slip back into the crowd and listen to someone who knew Norris best.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words yesterday for Norris. 

As normal Norris vocalised at 5 in the morning to be let out.  Nothing unusual. At 7.30 Ish I took him out for his playtime. Everything still appeared normal. At approximately 12.30 he started panting a bit heavily so I took him outside.  It then became apparent that something was wrong. After noting his gait losing stability and panting heavier I checked his gums. My heart plummeted seeing how pale they were. I phoned the vet to let them know we were coming in. By the time we arrived he didn’t have the strength to stand even though he made it perfectly clear he was not going to have anyone else touch him - so business as usual on that front.   After being sedated and checked a splenic tumour was given as the cause with the recommendation of euthanasia as his heart had also weakened. He was just a baby. 💔

Norris came into Welfare at just 7 months old with hip dysplasia given as the reason. They were an active family and Norris wouldn’t fit in.  Within days of being here, he had “an episode “ and he shredded my coat! It was more frightening because it was like he had flipped and wasn’t for letting up. I managed to get him off and get back to the house. I contacted the previous caregiver and asked if this was normal. After some hesitation, they revealed more information and we learned that he'd been given Nexgard treatment. You can read more on the dangers  of that and similar products here:

https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/2022/04/health-topics-nexguard-and-bravecto.html

There was another side to Norris that was so loving. He adored me and I adored him.  He didn’t want anyone else near him. I suppose I was his safety net.   It is always heartbreaking when we lose our dogs. More so when they are so young and life has been so unfair for them.  I think the flip side to Norris having such issues was the bond between us because of his problems. I’m not ashamed to admit that I feel broken. I embarrassed myself at the vets. Thankfully they were very understanding. There are times when we feel we will never recover from the trauma of things like this and losing someone dear to us.  This is one of those times.  

I will never forget Norris or stop loving him as long as I breathe. Norris wasn’t just a Welfare dog. He was MY BOY ❤️

Meet Harley

The lovely Harley is still waiting for his forever home.  He is approximately 6/7 years old. He can be a little unsure at the first meeting but just needs time to get to know people.  

Harley has lived with a female dog. He shows no problem behaviour although his previous carer said he can be reactive to dogs.  We feel this could have been because he was put in situations he couldn’t cope with.   

Harley is located in Sleaford, South Lincolnshire.

If you're interested in offering Harley his forever home then please contact us via the Aption Query Form:

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

Please comment. like and share this post as widely as possible so we reach the right person who can offer Harley his new home. Thanks!

 

Meet Welfare Resident Rodney

Rodney is a glamorous long haired male German Shepherd. He is 3 years old and came into our care after a bite incident. His caregivers were distraught at having to part with him but did so for his own and everyone else’s safety.  Because of this Rodney is a permanent resident. 

He has been with us for over a year now. He doesn’t like to be touched so even everyday things like grooming and putting a lead on create a difficult situation. We try to respect what Rodney tells us and have arranged his living arrangements so we can get him into a secure field from his kennel without having to put a lead on him.  He is a happy boy and enjoys life (not as much as he enjoys his food though😂).

You can help support our welfare residents and their lifelong care by sponsoring one or more of them for only £20 each per year. 

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

Sign Up and Make a Difference

I don't get why more people don't sign up for these bonus donations - if you shop online via any of the supported sites such as Etsy or eBay, or looking to switch your broadband provider then sign up here first and earn money for your favourite charity. Naturally, I hope you'll support the  German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund​ but if you have a cause closer to your heart then push that and still sign up. Think of it like a charity tax that you can drive! 

Individually the amounts are small but when combined we can make change happen. Potentially impactful change. Our work is completely reliant on the amazing generosity of our supporters - why don't we spread the load a little?

Please like, comment and share as widely as possible and make online retail therapy a force for good :-)

Please join me in supporting the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund on #easyfundraising, you'll raise FREE donations with your everyday shopping. It's quick and easy to sign up! Plus, once you've raised your first £5, easyfundraising will double it! 

Sign up now: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?invite=8ik9ub&char=45963&referral-campaign=s2s&utm_source=refsharebox

Meet Baloo

This gorgeous boy is Baloo. He is 7 months old with an all black long coat. Sadly he had found himself in welfare as his carer's landlord would not allow dogs. He has lived with children and our first impression is that he is a total sweetheart. 

He does not appear bothered by other dogs and has been great with all the humans he has met. Poor Baloo had half an ear missing which happened when he was put in boarding kennels. Baloo is still undergoing his mandatory assessment but we feel he could live with children and would be fine living with a female dog. 

Baloo is not neutered due to his age but will be homed with a contract prohibiting breeding.  His vaccinations are all up to date and he is microchipped.  Baloo is located in Mildenhall Suffolk.

If you're interested in offering Baloo his forever home then please contact us via the Aption Query Form:

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

Please comment. like and share this post as widely as possible so we reach the right person who can offer Baloo his new home. Thanks!

UK Dog Rescue Crisis - Insurance Petition

A petition challenging insurance companies do not automatically refuse insurance renewal for rescue charities. With the UK dog rescue sector already in a state of crisis, this presents a potentially existential threat and see rescues have to cease operations and reduce availability when demand is already swamping services. Please support this petition created by the Pro Dogs Direct rescue organisation to try and help convince insurance companies to follow a case-by-case approach.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sign-the-petition-save-dog-rescues-from-having-to-shut-up-shop

Please also share this as widely as you can so we can call on as wide support as possible.

This is just another in a series of issues facing rescues across the country. This article outlines many of them.

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hot-Topic-Rescue-in-Crisis-v2-2.pdf

If you have any comments or feedback then please post in the comments below or contact me directly.

On the 21st of February 2023, the All-Party Dog Advisory Welfare Group are holding a meeting at the Houses of Parliament concerning the state of dog rescue in the UK. It's being well attended with 100 representatives from dog rescues across the UK. There are still seats available so if you'd like to get involved get in touch with them.

https://apdawg.co.uk/feb-2023-meeting

Meet Welfare Resident Ernie

Ernie is a handsome 2 year old, black and tan, male German Shepherd. He came to us after a disagreement with his previous owner. Even after this occurred, Ernie remained very loving with everyone else around him. We assessed him closely after he joined us and we found him to be a happy, fun-loving, and loving boy. He enjoys playing ball games and will bring you his ball all day long if allowed to.

We have seen no signs of any aggression with people he knows or strangers. He greets everyone like a long-lost friend. He can react to other dogs but we feel this is more out of excitement. However, we did try to re-home Ernie and discovered that he couldn't cope at all so he returned to us. We have now made the decision not to re-home him.

Ernie is kept under our permanent care, please consider sponsoring our resident dogs to help pay for their lifelong upkeep. 

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