Toronto German Shepherd Rescue

Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 11:52 PM

Subject: Sending you LOVE, for all you do to rescue....THANK YOU!!

Just passing through your website, and want to tell you how wonderful you are....on behalf of all the dogs and people whose lives you have touched, and in all that you do and all you have done, I wish all the best for you - you deserve it..you are an incredible person - an angel for sure. Wishing you well and thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Rhona

Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 2:46 AM

Subject: We need another German Shepherd companion...

Anna;

Thank you so much for your quick response. It is so nice to know there is such a great support group for German Shephards. After I e-mailed you, I found a rescue place close to home. I have not heard from them. I hope they make contact with me. Thank you so much for forwarding my e-mail to Kathy. With people like you, I hope every German Shephard, and any dog for that matter, will find a place to call home.

Thanks,

Sandy

Date: Sat, 25 Dec 2002

Subject: Good-buy Deacon!

Anna,

You have just now driven away taking our boy to his new forever home.

The tears are rolling down my face.
But what could have been a great tragedy for Deacon and for us has become a miracle thanks to you and the good work you folks do. I will not pretend that my heart is not broken, but the pain is made lighter knowing that Deacon will be with people who will love him and provide the atmosphere he needs to thrive and be happy. His new family will love him dearly. They couldn't be more perfect.

You have driven so many miles and spent so many hours of your own time, and it has all been worth it.

Thank-you and thanks to the Toronto German Shepherd Dog Rescue.

Susan

Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001

Subject: What a dog!!!!!

Anna,

How can we ever thank you for sending Caesar into our lives? He is absolutely the most beautiful dog I have ever seen. He is already totally bonded, and, will not leave my side. He broke my heart the other night. I opened the crate and told him to go "in" and he sat in front of me with the saddest look on his face. I repeated "in" and he started walking into the crate and at the last second veered to the left. He circled around, and sat again in front of me with the sad face. I put my hands on my hip and again said "in". He started into the crate and at the last second he veered off to the right. I didn't push the issue, and settled for sleeping on the couch to keep a little eye on him. When I woke up in the morning he was stretched out across the living room door blocking the draft coming in under the door, sound asleep.

I got up and made coffee, and he came into the kitchen in the most loving mood. He watched me fold the crate back up and put it away, and he now has the run of the house and he is just fantastic. He slept quietly in our room last night and at some point went downstairs, he was again just sleeping in front of the door. What a good boy......he is just perfect.

Please.......never ever ever worry about Caesar again. He has fit in perfectly already, and just loves it here. He will not go anywhere without first paying a little "visit" across the bridge. He has his own "spots" now and has a perfect record. Anna, thank you so much......I owe you one big time.

Kelly, Jane and Caesar

"With a little determination and a lot of love almost any dog can be a great dog..."

Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002

Hello, my name is Brenda.

I love GSD's and have had them for many years in the past.

I got my first one when I was 16 by accident, she was to be a barn dog at the barn I had my horse at -- kind of a watch dog, I guess. Someone didn't want her any more and the people who ran the barn thought she would make a good guard dog. Well, being a GSD, she made a good guard dog, but was miserable left out in the barn. It was not long before her sorrowful, all night crying was all they could take and she was to go off to the pound. (Gee we wouldn't think of letting the poor girl in the house now, would we!)

Tarah was only 18 months old, all tan and white instead of black and tan and just beautiful. She also would not leave me alone when I was there, always wanting to play or just to get a scratch. So, I of course, took her home only to be told that dog is too big and we already have one.

SHE CAN'T STAY!!!!

Well, she took one look around, headed straight for my dad and the rest should we say is history.

I ended up with three of them before long and we lived very happily until the pup was hit by a car and killed when she pulled a Houdini, my other one died of bloat 2 months later, then it was just Tarah and me again.

I didn't get another GSD to keep her company, I was too afraid something would happen to it too. We still had her old best friend Tessie, the cocker so life got back to normal and went on.

I got married some years later then had a baby and good old Tarah took it all in stride. As long as we were together, she didn't care what happened or where we were, life was good.

I never realized she was getting old until she fell down the stairs one day, 3 hours later she died from a heart attack in the vets. It all happened so quick and she was gone and I lost my best friend. I was glad she didn't suffer but that didn't make it any better.

It has been 10 years since then and I finally was able to get another GSD this last year. It was too hard after Tarah died. My new husband has very bad allergies but finally gave in and said we could try it, so I started looking.

It took 6 months to find one that would fit into the family but I finally got one from the Mississauga Humane Society. Since Tarah was a type of rescue, I thought I would do it again. It worked out so well the first time. Well, Striker was 72 pounds when I got him, very matted and dirty, scared of his own shadow, terrified of men and from the first day I brought him home totally obsessed with being with me at all times. He would panic if I tried to leave the house, destroy things and pee all over the house, as well as other little presents being left around. I was very worried I had made a big mistake, but I am happy to say with 3 months of loving, obedience training, as you say in your info, done with me and a trainer, a crate and lots of patience, a year later we could not live without him. He is now 100 pounds, goes to the groomer, which he loves, once a week to get rid of the nasty dander, so as not to bother the allergies too much (lots of reactine and love) and is great with everyone even men. He is now a typical fearless GSD.

With a little determination and a lot of love almost any dog can be a great dog.

Sorry the story was so long but just wanted to say how great a rescue dog can be. They will love you forever and a day, and do anything for you.

Keep up the great work, it is worth it!!!!!!

From Brenda and Striker