CHARLIE
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| The first email about Charlie came in on January 23rd from our good friend, Michelle, at Snowcapped GSD Rescue in Colorado. Could we make room for one more? Charlie is said to be an approximately 2 year old intact male who is somewhat reserved with strangers, but very sweet.
Charlie had been pulled off the "e" list and given an extension of time to allow the shelter personnel to reach out to rescue on his behalf. We agreed to take him if he tested negative for heartworm, and Michelle agreed to sponsor him to get him started. UPDATE 1/24: Charlie tested NEGATIVE for heartworm! He has been moved into a boarding facility in Arlington to await transport, which is being handled by Katrina. She immediately put the call out for volunteer drivers. Since a run cannot possibly be filled in 4 days, and next weekend is Super Bowl weekend, we are hoping for transport on February 11/12. Keep your fingers crossed for Charlie! The transport began to fill slowly but surely. Just as they had for Gretchen's transport in December, drivers began to answer the call to transport. As of February 9th, we were almost down to the wire with 4 legs of the transport yet to fill. By that night, there was only ONE leg to fill. Would we make it so that Charlie could begin his journey? On February 10th, an email came in saying the last leg had been filled, and thanks to the kindness of strangers, Charlie would begin his journey from Arlington, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, a two-day, 1,000+ mile journey to freedom and a new home! Click to read about CHARLIE'S JOURNEYTRANSPORT COMPLETE 2/12 8pm: Charlie is safe and sound in his foster home in Phoenix, Arizona. Please check back for photos tomorrow. He's a very tired boy tonight.
UPDATE 2/15: In preparation for his neuter surgery tomorrow, Charlie was given a good brushing today. From his reactions, it seemed to our staff member that this boy had never felt a brush on his body before. He stretched and wiggled and simply enjoyed himself. Once he has recovered from his neuter surgery, he will be treated to a bath and brush at Sherry's Pampered Pets...probably another first (a bath) for him. It's obvious that this boy has received very little care and/or attention in his life. He's not quite sure what's happening, but he's willing to experience whatever life has in store for him without complaint. Once he settles in and gets a little more confidence and socialization, this boy is going to be a winner!
UPDATE 2/16: Charlie had his neuter surgery today and came through without complication. The vet checked him over thoroughly and, other than some debris in his left ear, could find nothing to be concerned with and pronounced Charlie fit. He will be given the next 2 weeks to settle down and recuperate from his surgery, after which he will be scheduled for a "spa day" at Sherry's Pampered Pets and then available for introductions and adoption. UPDATE 2/26: Thanks to our volunteer Traci, Charlie tried his hand at Boot Camp this afternoon. He was initially very intimidated by the busy park surroundings, but after a while, he definitely started to enjoy himself and actually began to relax and work.
UPDATE 3/15: Charlie was treated to a bath & brush at Sherry's Pampered Pets today. The groomer reported that Charlie did very well with everything and just had to mention that for most of the afternoon, Charlie shared his cubicle with a tiny chihuahua/rat terrier! So, safe to say, Charlie is OK with small dogs! He still has some stains on his coat (pictures tomorrow) which will take some time to shed out, but his coat is getting softer and prettier every day. Charlie is healing well from his neuter surgery. His coat and skin are already showing improvement -- we think he's going to be a knockout! Charlie's lack of socialization is apparent, but there is not an ounce of aggression in this sweetheart of a boy. He just needs to discover the big wide world outside the boundaries of his temporary foster home. He'd love a foster home to show him the way...
UPDATE 5/2: Charlie continues to improve. He has been coming out to Boot Camp on Sundays and, thanks to our volunteer Dianne, he is learning not only social skills but obedience and leash manners as well. He wags his tail constantly thoughout class and is now able to say hello to the other Boot Campers without hesitation. We have even gone so far as to use him as a partner dog for a new reactive dog in class. Ongoing socialization is a must for this boy, but his temperament is solid as a rock. UPDATE 8/18: Our "toad" has turned into such a handsome prince, that we decided today was a day for pictures:
UPDATE 9/1: Charlie has a foster home! Our thanks go out to the Covey family for taking on their SIXTH foster dog! And boy does Charlie need them...
FOSTER UPDATE 9/16: "Things are going well. He has had some major breakthroughs and then reverted back to scaredy cat all within hours. But for the most part he had been moving forward. He and Ella have been playing like pups outside. He barks at people and animals moving in the neighborhood, a nice real deep bark that intimidates. He has made most of his progress outside. He loves to play, chase and bark along with Ella. I have sent a few photos along with this email. We make him sit with us during the evening time so he can get 'inside' comfortable. He sometime walks out of his crate on his own, but still keeps very close if things get scary. Though, the other afternoon the girls were playing with Ella in their room laughing and rolling on the bed. Ella was howling with the girls giggles and Charlie came running into our bedroom and looked at Jay and me with the shocked looked, 'Is she dying?' Then he ran back to his crate. Overall he is doing great and now that the weather is cooling we will start the walking in the evening. This should help his confidence."
UPDATE 11/17: Charlie came out to the grand opening at Doggie District this afternoon and had a ball. He mets lots of people and other dogs and, for his first official outing with his new foster folks, he did beautifully.
SEE WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE DAY AT DOGGIE DISTRICT PHOTOS
FOSTER UPDATE 2/18: "I though I should give you an update on Charlie’s progress. He is doing very well and has come out of his shell. We have had him at Leah’s for training and is progressing fine. He is a lovely walker and great with commands. We no longer have any problem getting him into the house, in fact when he sees us at the door he gets all excited and jumps around eager to come in (see movie clip). He is still shy of the kids, but we have been working on that, having them feed him and taking him for walks. He is very interested in them and wants to investigate but then talk’s himself out of getting to close. He has become protective of the property and family and has that deep scary bark that lets us know that something is in the yard. He has a light bark to let us know he wants in/out and that big scary bark when something is in his territory. His true personality has emerged, showing a gentle, loving, and cooperative dog. He gets along with other dogs around the neighborhood and at class once there is a proper introduction. Plus he is so pretty with his stride and gate. He is one beautiful dog. Like with our previous fosters, he has bonded with Jay and follows him around like a puppy."
UPDATE 4/7: Charlie came out to our SPRING FLING at Doggie District and met up with long-time gal pal, Sydney.
 Sydney (left) and Charlie (right)
Adoption fee $375.00. If you are interested in Charlie, please fill out our PROSPECTIVE ADOPTER'S QUESTIONNAIRE. You will be contacted by return email. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please Email Nancy at WhiteGSDRescue@AOL.com. This questionnaire link is only for Charlie or other white German Shepherds on our site. WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU until a questionnaire has been completed. BEFORE CONTACTING US ON THIS DOG. THANK YOU. | |||||||||||||||
FOSTER UPDATE 5/14: "Here's an update on Charlie he's doing great. He loves to walk; does very well on a leash. He gets so excited when it's time to come in at night or when we get home. Before, Charlie would run to the other side of the yard when the kids approached. Now, if the girls make him sit, they can put a leash on him and walk him. But he really loves his routines; everything has to be done at the same time. He's turned out to be a very good guard dog and, if something out of the regular, he lets us know with that great, deep bark. Charlie has been to several outings and he is so good. He rides in the car so well; he just has to have is special spot.
He just needs intense loving. He has discovered that he likes to get his back scratched. Ella has gotten to her bratty stage with him. When he comes to get some loving/scratching, she comes running up and starts to bite at his heels and chases him off. She can be such a “B” sometimes!"