CHARGE
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 CHARGE AT UNDER A YEAR |
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Dad is threatening to take Charge and his mom to County this Monday or Tuesday..a certain death sentence for both.
These dogs deserve better....CAN YOU HELP?? Even for just a while??? UPDATE 7/24: Charge was moved today to Pat the Dog Lady's boarding. He's safe and well cared for, however, it is temporary. He needs a real foster home; one in which we can learn more about him in addition to vetting and neutering. He was a gentleman on the ride there and has shown no aggression upon seeing other barking dogs or the horses. So far, he's been a real sweetheart. We are very eager to get him indoors and into a home setting as soon as possible. UPDATE 8/5: Charge had his first vet visit on Monday; a complete blood panel and Rabies vaccination. He can't be neutered until we have a foster home in which he can recover. Thankfully, he has lost weight and weighed in at just under 80 pounds.
He was a very calm and good boy while being handled..friendly to all, no fussing while being held for his blood draw. He encountered a dog in the waiting area and pulled toward him excitedly but responded beautifully to a correction and "leave it" after which he simply ignored the other dog. There were no raised hackles or aggression, simply lack of manners. He doesn't know much other than "sit" and "down" however he is very compliant with good leadership. We just checked on Charge's lab results and everything is normal; Thyroid, platelets, organ function, negative for tick and valley fever...YAY! Now it's time for him to get out of the heat and isolation of boarding and back into an indoor home environment. No cats, experience preferred, and we will pay for his foster to take him to training class. If you are interested in fostering, please read about OUR FOSTER PROGRAM and submit a Foster Application (found on the Foster Program page). UPDATE 9-05:  UH-OH..WILL WE BE ABLE TO GET THE DOGS INTROS DONE?? Despite, or more accurately, because of, the ominous weather, we just had to get Charge out of boarding. When we found out that PJ was not away fighting the California fires we pressed him into service. And to the rescue they came; PJ, Laura and our/their super gal Cierra. Cierra tolerated Charge's bad manners...we're hoping she will be just as tolerant on her own turf, and off they went. The first order of business is a bath..training began with the first "sit" ...PJ loves breakin in those "green dawgs" Charge's weight is back to normal, he will be free again to romp and play, and a lot cooler, so he should be feelin pretty frisky.
Providing all goes well, Charge will be safely indoors now and we will be learning more about him, getting him neutered and ready for a new life. Thanks Laura! CHARGE'S 1st-DAY FOSTER REPORT: "Hey Steff, Just a real quick note to let you know Charge is doing fantastic. Just one minor brief moment when we first got home that he needed a quick reminder that he is a new pack member, not the pack leader, and he's an angel. Already bathed, playing free with the C-dog in and out of the house and learning that doors are only passed after approval of a pack leader. Initial assesment. He's a sweetheart, just wants love, affection and leadership. He's going to make a great companion for someone." THAT NIGHT: "Steff, I was originally thinking Charge should have some time to acclimate to his new environment and settle down before being stressed with his neuter. But he is so comfortable and relaxed all ready, I think you could go ahead and schedule it anytime you want and he'll be fine. He's made himself right at home and is incredibly relaxed. When he's not napping in the middle of the floor, he and Cierra wrestle for the ball, him on his back and her towering over him. She's decided that her favorite ball is whichever one he has at the time. She try's to get it out of his mouth but he just holds on and keep moving his head away so she can't get it. Right now he's sprawled out sleeping again while C is playing with the squeaky ball in the kennel. He really is a good dog and wants very much to please. He's much better behaved with C and she's playing a lot more with him now. He has checked out the house thoroughly but made no attempts (yet) to do any territorial marking. Of course he's had numerous opportunities to go outside and each time he pees out there, sometimes even lifting his leg like a big dog. We'll keep you posted, PJ"
2ND DAY IN FOSTER REPORT: "Hi Steff, Today was pretty uneventful. Charge has decided this indoor stuff suits him just fine. We started the morning off learning that it is not ok to jump up on the sliding glass door or windows when he wants to come back in from break time. Once that was understood he was a perfect gentleman the rest of the day with no more incidents. He also remembers from yesterday that he has to wait to go through doors. The entire rest of the day was spent just as if he'd grown up here his whole life. He's a very relaxed and very happy dog. As I said, he's going to make someone a great companion and is a joy to have around. He loves to lay around and play with the squeaky balls, usually the pink one, while rolling around on his back. He has totally ignored 'checking out' Cierra. He treats her like he grew up with her. He's very easy to work with and good about learning things quickly and tries really hard to do exactly what you want. If I had to characterize him between hard or soft, I would have to say he leans slightly hard in that he is a strong, confident dog but a firm voice command will stop the undesirable behavior at which time he is quickly ready to forgive and forget and move on. And he looks at you eagerly and intently with these eyes that just say, "Ok, I understand, I'll do better, what else would you like from me"? He's a little velcroish but that's to be expected with all the new stuff going on in his life lately. This is being addressed with doors being closed between he and us as we go from room to room just to get him used to being alone from us even if for just short periods at a time. He does fine and usually just lays at or near the door we've gone through without any whimpering or barking or scratching etc.. As time goes on these little times away from us will extend until eventually it wont bother him at all. You can tell this is one dog that thrives on leadership. He want's a person to be his leader and show him all the great things he can do and be as a good companion. Even at 6 years old, Charge is still eager to be taught the ropes of good manners and obedience.
Stay tuned for day 3...
We would like to see Charge placed with someone with handling/GSD experience. He has very high prey drive and is actually very closely related to Steff's personal dog so we're familiar with his drive levels and lineage. He will not be placed with small dogs or young children. Charge will prefer lots of activity and mental stimulation. Once trained and bonded, he will be protective of his person and pack. We're pretty sure that after some much needed socialization, his true personality will surface and sparkle. UPDATE 9/17: Charge was neutered yesterday and is doing fine. As the weather cools a little he'll be getting out and socialized more. As of this coming weekend, he's ready to meet his public...he's such good boy! You can follow Charge's progress while in foster care at his blog: http://rescuegsd.blogspot.com UPDATE 5/7: CHARGE'S FOSTER FAMILY WILL BE LEAVING TOWN FOR THE SUMMER..TIME IS RUNNING OUT AS WE HAVE ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS IN WHICH TO FIND A SPOT FOR HIM.. ...this well behaved lover boy deserves a forever home but for now, we'll settle for safe foster home with no cats or toddlers...anyone, anyone?? CHARGE & BFF CIERRA - HIKING & PLAYING IN THE MUD
The only real prerequisite we have for this warm n fuzzy fellow, is leadership, which generally equates to GSD/handling experience. In essence, Charge could take advantage of a total novice but is Mr. Perfect with someone in the know. He's eager to meet you! UPDATE 5/26: We received a phone message late Saturday that Charge had to be moved by the next day, Sunday. It was quite a scramble but our old friends Russ & Becky stepped up at the 11th hour and Charge was moved to his new foster home. He is now settling in with their 5 year old son Martin and Nikka, a 9 year old female GSD. Aside from keeping a close eye on his humans wondering what will happen next, Charge is doing really well and has been a very good boy. Charge's adoption fee $365.00.
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UPDATE 5/17:
Charge has been described by his foster family as a "well behaved gentleman". He has, while in their care, been exposed to many children of all ages and has done very well with all. Since he's not actually lived with any, we recommend kids over 9 years of age.