Why adopt a rescue dog? They give back everything you
give to them 10 fold. They are grateful every day for having a second
chance and we couldn’t be more proud to own “second-hand dogs.”
Sue Hasey
Volunteer, GSRAW
Vedor, our beautiful rescued dog. He started off in very poor condition and from a rather horrendous situation (he had been purposely starved). He has now blossomed both in looks and temperament. This once very dog aggressive male has come leaps and bounds in learning not to provoke or be provoked by other dogs. His philosophy used to be attack first, see if they might be a nice dog later. He still puffs up if he feels there may be a threat from another dog but has mastered “sit-stay” to the point we can now lead a foster dog by him without him flinching at all (well, maybe just a little twitch here and there). The moral, never say never. Vedor isn’t cured but we have a lot less worries. He will accept another dog if it is submissive and female. Males are a little tougher to get him near but he continues to make progress. He absolutely loves his dad will abide by his master’s wishes, no matter what. That’s love in a rescue GSD.
Little Phoenix, who I was sure wouldn’t get bigger than 60 lbs., was pushing 80 lbs. at one year of age. My little “Peanut” just kept growing! Phoenix came to us at 9 weeks old and had been dumped at a shelter for chewing. She has the most phenomenal temperament – as easy going and laid back as they come. I thought she’d be perfect for therapy work. Well, low and behold, Phoenix passed her Delta Pet Partners (Animal Assisted Therapy) testing with flying colors at 13 months of age, one of the youngest ever to pass and also obtain the highest level of working status (AAT). Delta is affiliated with “Dogs on Call” here in Madison and through Dogs on Call, Phoenix has begun working with patients in the physical therapy department at Meriter Hospital every Tuesday. During the summer, you’ll see us educating kids about approaching dogs safely at Safety Saturday (during Farmer’s Market), or at the Madison Children’s Museum, or wherever there is a need. Phoenix has fulfilled everything I was looking for in that one special rescue dog. I look forward to a lot of years of her bringing joy, hope and likely even inspiration to those in hospital settings or those that are just in need of a little 4-legged love.