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Here's the happy ending story of Keegan:
On November 8, 2003, I was at TLC when the doors opened. A German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) had been posted on the TLC Web site. We had already adopted another GSP (Zues) about a year and a half earlier, and knew how difficult it can be to find a GSP in a shelter in this area. We thought it was time for Zues to have a companion, and we hoped to adopt another GSP.
As I was looking at this GSP in his kennel, I heard a noise behind me and turned around. I was amazed to see another GSP being led into one of the kennels by Dennis and someone I assumed was the surrendering owner. As soon as they left the room, I checked out the newcomer. What a people magnet! I was instantly drawn to him and couldn't wait to take him outside and get acquainted.
Dennis told me the new arrival was named Keegan, and that he had been surrendered because his owners' schedule kept him crated about 18 hours a day. GSPs are high energy dogs that thrive on running and playing. I knew from our similar experiences with Zues that we could give Keegan the environment he needed to expend his energy.
Keegan was a beautiful dog, had basic training, and clearly had been loved by his former owners. Because Dennis had no information on how Keegan would be with other dogs, he wisely suggested that I bring Zues back to meet Keegan and promised not to let Keegan be adopted before I returned. It took about an hour to return with Zues, and by the time I had him out of the car, the young man from the kennel room was there in the parking lot with Keegan, ready to meet his prospective new family. The four of us spent an hour in the yard, after which Keegan and Zues went home together. Keegan's shelter days ended almost before they began!
On his third night, we introduced him to sleeping outside of the crate. Eventually, daytime crating ended as well. Both dogs have learned to be very respectful of the house (and we've learned to put away tempting treasures), so we've found there's no need to use crates at all. That's good for Keegan, who showed a lot of anxiety and panic when he was confined.
Keegan has a huge wooded backyard for a playground. When he's outside, he runs fast and plays hard. He and Zues are on constant Squirrel Patrol and Keegan is an Ace Hunter. Fast too, unfortunately for an occasional critter that has to be rescued! Keegan loves car rides. We think his former family had a hatchback car, because every time Keegan walks by our car and the trunk is open, he jumps right in and settles down!
Keegan and Zues are totally different personalities - Zues is constantly wired and never seems to stop when he's outside. Keegan tends to be more laid back, and loves basking in the sunshine outside. But, he's an outrageously funny tease when it comes to goading Zues into playing with him. He'll repeatedly poke Zues in the nose with a stuffed toy to incite a game of tug-o-war, or use his paw to swat Zues across the butt to get him to play chase.
As Keegan acclimated to his new life, he's become a regular cuddle-bear. He's picked up a lot of "ideas" from Zues; it's funny to see him copy many of the things his older brother does.
It's Keegan's second anniversary with us and we think we had an exceptional "find" in Keegan. He's a great help in burning off the excess energy of his hyper-brother, Zues, and he's such a source of fun and love for us. Visiting children love to play with him and he enjoys being a warm pillow for them. He loves to play tag with our young niece. He never seems to stop making us smile. Thanks TLC for bringing us together!
Linda and Glenn Yunashko