Keep fingers crossed for me please - new dog.

[Vallhala]

Come and wish me well as I pack for the weekend away!

As the GSD I was going to foster has gone to a new home instead there is a GSD dog-shaped space here. I've known for 18 months who I dearly want to fill it, but this has been fraught with problems. This boy, a white long haired GSD like my own late boy, suffers from epilepsy. He came from a lone mum's household into rescue and is very nervous and reserved, even with the rescue owners. This is him, from his BIGGSD forum thread, which is easier put up than the rescue's: my beautiful friend

But he'll come to me and let me stroke, snuggle and kiss him! Still, my location, his epilepsy and his nervousness and tendency to make a bolt for doors has caused the rescue owner to hold back every time I piped up that I'd have this dog in a heartbeat.

Last week the rescue boss visited me with a dog he wished to cat/home test. We spoke of my Shep friend, discussed where he might sleep, his epilepsy so on, IF he ever came here. Rescue boss left and that was that...

Until I turned on my laptop, checked into the rescue's forum, went to my furry friend's thread, which had been updated by the Boss, and read: "RESERVED TO VALLHALA!"

I just sat there with tears running down my face!

The adoption is subject to some fencing being done to the garden - that's being done as I type - and how I, my DDs, my dogs and he all get on together as he has only seen my dogs from a distance.

So I'm packing in order to spend the weekend at the rescue, this time not just to help out but to spend time with my Shep boy too, to confirm to the Boss that I AM the right person for this wonderful dog.

The rescue boss and I are good friends. His standards are sky high and friendship cuts no quarter, rightly it's the dog who comes first. I'm confident that my dogs will be fine, I just have to be perfect too. So please, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Aww Good Luck and fingers are firmly crossed for you here.

Have just read the thread you linked to -he's a real beauty.

Good Luck Vallhala. He looks beautiful from the photos. Hope the weekend goes well for you.

gorgeous, I bet you are so excited.

Good luck Vallhala. Fingers, toes and paws all crossed for you!

Good luck vallhala, I really, really, REALLY hope your meet up goes well and you get to bring him home X

Good luck! Hope you get your boy! x

I see you are back, did you get the dog?
I saw his photos on your link and he is gorgeous x

Thanks everyone!

Well, there's work to be done yet but it's looking hopeful. Fish is EXTREMELY nervous and is particularly wary of the male half of the rescue owners, which is a bugger when it comes to demonstrating how he reacts to me. When the rescue owner comes along, Fish legs it! Poor man, it's nothing he's done, we fear its because Fish associates him with being taken from his family (rescue owner went and collected him) and/or because Fish came from a lone Mum household and doesn't really 'do' men.

But, he spent lots of time with me and the DDs, followed us about and we got on very well. He's totally unfazed by my own two dogs and they are cool with him. Next weekend I'll be back up at the rescue to carry on the bonding process and continuing to gain Fish's trust as the last thing we want is for him to get nervous one day, bolt and be too scared to come back. It may end up that he will always have to be walked on lead and only allowed free rein in very secure places. Luckily I have a big garden and the fence is now complete.

As I will be spending part of next weekend at a show with the rescue I'll be back to Fish the one after, when hopefully, if it all goes to plan, I will be able to bring him home. Its a long process but it has to be right, he has to be happy and safe with me... and he's worth waiting for.

I set my heart on him 18 months ago, I've waited this long so I can wait a bit longer!

Brilliant, glad to hear your visit went well.
You are very patient waiting 18 months for him, a few more weeks will be no time at all.

I'm not sure you are going to sleep very well in the meantime though. You are so close to bringing him home with you.

I'll look forward to reading your update on him.

Despite the fact that they have several epi doga (being renowned for their expertise in the condition) and despite knowing that such dogs, no matter how rare their fits might be, the rescue have just promised a place for another when, all being well, Fish moves in with me.

This latest chap is a black epi GSD whose owner has died. The late owner's relatives are unable to take the poor soul on so he will arrive at the rescue in 2 weeks time.

This is a chance for me to make a plea for those wanting to own dog but who are unsure whether it's the right thing for them to consider fostering. A dog such as this new arrival (or indeed my Fish) will be bewildered by a rescue kennel and has so much love to give. Reputable rescue will offer fosterers complete back up and support, take the dog back if there is a problem and provide food and, if necessary, medication and vet treatment.

By the same tokem please don't forget that a dog with a medical condition need not be a burden and can, in the right home, flourish and reward your input a thousand fold, just as my Fish will.

Oh bugger, let me start that again!

I SAID: "Despite the fact that they have several epi doga (being renowned for their expertise in the condition) and despite knowing that such dogs, no matter how rare their fits might be, the rescue have just promised a place for another when, all being well, Fish moves in with me."

It made no sense! I MEANT: "Despite the fact that they have several epi dogs (being renowned for their expertise in the condition) and despite knowing that such dogs, no matter how rare their fits might be, are continuously overlooked by those wishing to adopt, the rescue have just promised a place for another when, all being well, Fish moves in with me."

There! That's better! Does that make more sense now?