Sammie's
Long Ordeal
with a very happy ending!
(and more)
She went immediately into foster care after being surrendered and did exceptionally well. After several weeks she was placed with a family that seemed like a great fit but after a month she was surrendered again due to her incredible vivacity.
The foster family was unable to take her back at that time due to caring for another high-powered foster dog plus their own animals. Another four months passed before they could take Sam. She had forgotten her manners and training learned in foster and was so scattered she couldn’t stay still. She was on the move continuously and had a very tough time even sleeping.
Through all this she was still the most loving girl and tried her very hardest at everything. Her intellect and desire to please was such that she picked up her manners and training again almost immediately but was still unable to relax.
Her fabulous looks attracted a great deal of attention at an adoption event, numerous applications were submitted. She was finally placed with a man she interacted well with, but four days later he called, stating his other dog was attacking Sammie and it had reached a danger level. Foster picked her up within an hour of that call. Sam had now been in and out of three homes, and back in foster care at only 15 months old.
She was on an Internet site with continuous interest throughout all this, but the foster declined to place her again. After a period of time a call came in from a man in Iowa. He had a lifetime knowledge of German shepherds plus a 2-year old high energy shepherd he had chosen not to restrain in any way when she was younger even though she was eating his house.
The foster parent spoke at length with this gentleman and was impressed with his kind and caring manner; however, decided not to place Sammie out of town. A few days later another call came in from Iowa. The woman had a long-term knowledge of shepherds and seemed to be kind and caring. As it turned out, the two Iowans were married to each other and just couldn’t get Sammie out of their minds. A decision was made to drive Sammie to Iowa and see how she did with this couple and their shepherd.
The dogs took to each other immediately and haven’t stopped playing since! Sammie’s new parents have been kind enough to provide frequent updates - it’s a match made in heaven. At last report Sammie, new sister Hella and the folks visited the Drake Hotel in Chicago (living large!) and were having the time of their lives riding in elevators and eating up attention from hotel guests and staff.
Happily, at last report, Sammie is finally relaxing, playing from morning until bedtime with Hella and appears to realize this is her forever home.
Reported by a St. Charles Humane Society volunteer
One-year anniversary update
Sammie, the blacker face, has gained weight to a good size for a shepherd. Compare to how skinny she was before, above. The new folks keep in close touch with the foster department, everyone can see how contented and happy she is. I think both young ladies look absolutely regal, as befitting seasoned travelers in their own chauffeured coach.
This is exactly what we need to see when the going gets rough. The picture gave me the idea for a new page: http://www.therealmartha.com/RescueHotlines/index.htm ~ a directory for an independent network of rescue people able to act in emergencies, includes links to more great stories.
Cats and dogs don't get along ~ guess somebody needs to tell these two.
Peanut and Sasha kitty, also placed by SCHS
Gizmo's Jogs to Jag
Jag named Giz for the little black and white gremlin.
"He is quite a character. I think he used to be a butler in a fancy hotel in a past life, every night he goes in and tucks a dog biscuit under each of our pillows."
The rest of the story ...
A friend's sister Joyce who is a mail carrier in Spokane found Giz wandering around in the snow, half-starved and frozen about Christmastime '02. He was so young he didn't even have all his teeth.
Joyce took him home where she already had two huge Rottweilers, two shepherds, two cats and two hyperactive kids. When the Rottweilers started playing - tossing Giz around like a beach ball - Joyce was afraid they might accidentally kill him.
She took Giz to her sister Billie (my biker buddy) who had just called about another dog. I was working in Boise when she asked me to pick up an Airedale from the greyhound rescue group there and bring him home to Coeur d' Alene. When I got home with new Duke, we traded and I took Giz home.
Check out Giz and gang's Christmas card by artist Jag: http://www.therealmartha.com/HolidayCritters/index.htm
Watch for a new Quirks and Capers page featuring the butler antics. I haven't even begun to list Scoopy's goofies. What does your rescued critter do that's baffling? MarthaJones1@aol.com
Please use Quirks as subject line. When I don't recognize sender name or the subject is not clearly defined, I delete.
What rescue is all about
http://www.therealmartha.com/rescue/index.htm
More critter pages ~
feel-good stories, info links, humor, heartwarmers, also
addressing serious humane issues
http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm