German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin

Hi Sue,

Sorry I haven't updated sooner, boy did this year fly by. Well Buddy has been here for a year and a half now. It's been a great year and a half, Bud has really matured, he's a very smart dog, sometimes to smart and it gets him into trouble. Bud's skills have improved 100%, he can catch a Frisbee and pick a tennis ball out in mid air. Bud gets along with everyone and most animals. He was a real bully with other dogs until he got hurt playing with Shy (our son's dog). We still don't know what happened, but now he will not play rough with her anymore. We took Bud to the vet after he got hurt, the vet said possibly a past injure to his jaw. We even noticed while playing around his mouth he would yelp now and then.

Bud favor's men over women, he follows Ron everywhere. Bud is a very sensitive boy and does not need much correction, a shaker can filled with pennies is all he needs.

I lost my cat this past March due to an illness, Bud and the cat were just getting along. So we got Bud his own new kitten in Oct. At first Bud wanted no part of her. We really had to watch him with her. She was only 5 weeks old and so small. Now they are fine together, sometimes I have to rescue Bud from her, boy can she bite.  Just don't go near his food dish when he's eating, Abby has now used up one of her nine lives. They are always sleeping together, I'll go look for Abby and find them snuggled up together on the bed.

Well that's about it, Bud is happy, healthy and one fine dog to own.

Ron,Sheri and Buddy(Woof Woof) Bucholtz

10/1/03  Update on Buddy and his first camping trip

Buddy is doing very well, he has gained a few pounds, his coat is soft and shiny, he really looks great. Buddy and the cat have finally come to terms, but they still have there moments, Buddy's training is coming along, but he can be a little stinker at times. We take him in the pet store and no problems. We even took him to a car show to expose him to people (about 2500 of them) away from his own territory. He was great, he walked at my side like a prince, people were petting him even little kids, I was very pleased with his manners.

Buddy's camping trip was better than I could of wished for. The first night he was a little scared, because he really didn't know what was going on sleeping in the camper, after the first night all things were fine, we even taught Buddy how to climb a stepladder to get into the camper.  I took Buddy to the water's edge and he was afraid of the waves rolling in, but that also changed, within two days he was putting his head under water picking up sticks and what not. Both Buddy and Cheyenne were running and playing in the water, what a sight to see Buddy having the time of his life.

We went for long walks everyday, sometime two or three a day. I would tie a 30ft lead to my waist and let him go any where he wanted, it worked out great because I could give him directions and he would have enough time to respond to them without me pulling on a leash. One morning we were walking down a logging road, we both heard something in the woods, not knowing what it was I said Bud let's go and turned around, just then a loud thrashing started and turned to look, there came two huge deer coming across the road, scared the daylights out of Buddy( not to mention myself), but we made it back to the camper just fine.

Buddy adapted to the boat like a duck to water, we had to teach him not to chase our bobbers, which he still needs some teaching on that subject. When we caught fish he would want to sniff it and gently try to grab it, very curious about them. All in all Buddy had a great time camping, we all really got to know each other being together 24 hours a day for seven days.  Can't wait for our next trip this month, Buddy will know that we are not going to leave him behind and that he will come back home again to his house.

Will stay in touch .

Take Care
Ron, Sheri and Buddy(Woof,Woof)

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A letter from Buddy to his foster parents:

Dear Tim & Sue

First of all I would like to thank you for giving me a home until my real mom and dad could adopt me. You were great.

Now as for my new mom and dad, its only been 1 week and I didn't know life could be so good, going from a dog house to a couch, there is a heaven. Right now there letting me be myself and learn the routine. My mom plays with me with the garden hose, I chase the the water, but darn if I can catch it. I have so many new toys to play with I don't know where to begin. My dad says I can help him lock up the garage at night. I even sat in his muscle car he's restoring, but I have to be careful not to scratch the paint. I'm a handful right now until I learn my manners (which mom says is going to be real soon), all I can say with me around, my mom and dad won't be couch potato's, thats for sure.

As for my feline brother, you talk about stuck-up, all I'm trying to do is check him out and play. He gets in a big tizzy about it, hisses and runs away and of course when a cat runs so will a dog, it's only natural right?

My mom and dad kids are really cool, they have there own German Shepherds, two sisters, there about one year older than me. Alex didn't like me, she was ready to take me on, we will have to work this one out over time. Cheyenne was afraid of me, she kept running from me, maybe I came on to strong, you know how girls are, but I think all will be fine.

My mom and dad along with there kids and there granddogs are going to take me camping in September, that's when I will get to go in there boat and watch them fish. I'll let you know how things go when we get back. Will update you at the end of September. (Woof, Woof)