At home,
she carried on quite incredibly with Tag during their introduction.
She barked and chastized him, but before I knew it, they were bouncing about the
yard together. He was smitten. She still chastizes him when she feels it is
needed. How dare he walk by when she is eating! How dare he want to lay on the
rug outside the door that she wants! How dare he want to play with the toy that she
wants! How dare he breathe some days! (Does this sound familiar, ladies?)
Names for the little girl baffled me.
She had long legs, flat large feet, carried her leash at the snap in her mouth, and
was quite vocal. "Quackers"? "Allie-gator"?
"Snap"? "Siren"? Then, I decided to take the ever popular
name that I have loved since I had my Malamute many years ago and named her
"Echo".
One night, we were outside with my
toddling son. Two dogs came out of their yard and tore down the street towards us.
I scooped up my son. Echo and I met the dogs head on. I feared that, if
I turned my back on either one, Echo or myself may be bitten. Echo went to the end
of the leash and barked angrily at the two dogs. Thank goodness, she did not run.
She would surely have been attacked. Neither dog had enough nerve to take the
two of us on as Echo and I tried our hardest to be threatening. Echo was not quite
five months old. Finally, after much screaming at the two dogs, Echo and I (still
holding my crying son) advanced on the dogs. They both ran for their house. I
quickly retreated to the safety of our own home. However, I must admit that I was
very shaken....and proud of little Echo for being so brave for us.
In the summer of 2000, Echo again
showed her bravery. She was heard barking in the backyard, so my husband went out to
see what all of the noise was about. There laying coiled on the patio was a
rattlesnake with Echo barking her head off near it. Thankfully again, no harm came
to Echo. However, thanks to her warning, no harm came to us either!
"Rescue Me
Please"
Rescue me not only
with your hands
but with your heart as well.
I will respond to you.
Rescue me not out of pity
but out of love.
I will love you back.
Rescue me not with self-righteousness
but with compassion.
I will learn what you teach.
Rescue me not because of my past
but because of my future.
I will relax and enjoy.
Rescue me not simply to save me
but to give me a new life.
I will appreciate your gift.
Rescue me not only with a firm hand
but with tolerance and patience.
I will please you.
Rescue me not only because of who I am
but who I'm to become.
I will grow and mature.
Rescue me not to revere yourself to others
but because you want me.
I will never let you down.
Rescue me not with a hidden agenda
but with a desire to teach me to trust.
I will be loyal and true.
Rescue me not to be chained or to fight
but to be your companion.
I will stand by your side.
Rescue me not to replace one you've lost
but to soothe your spirit.
I will cherish you.
Rescue me not to be your pet
but to be your friend.
I will give you unconditional love.
Please Rescue Me!
~author unknown~
"The
Reason"
I would've died that day if not for you.
I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted,
Skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it, beds to sleep on,
Someone to love me, to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me...
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter
Make just a little more room...to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason
The dogs before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.
~Author Unknown~
The Differences
Between Competition Dogs & Pet Dogs
Pet dogs raid the garbage....Obedience dogs are very food motivated.
Pet dogs shed....Show dogs blow coat.
Pet dogs are in heat....Show dogs come into season.
Pet dogs run around the house....Show dogs show tremendous reach and drive.
Pet dogs stand....Show dogs stack.
Pet dogs get a bath....Show dogs are groomed.
Pet dogs beg for treats....Show dogs animate for bait.
Pet dogs jump the fence....Obedience dogs demonstrate problem solving intelligence.
Pet dogs bark at other dogs....Agility dogs show excitement before showing.
Pet dogs are hyper....Show dogs are high drive.
Pet dogs steal socks and laundry....Obedience dogs show natural retrievingability.
Pet dogs find and chew up their owner's shoes....Obedience dogs are practicing scent
articles.
Rescue Links:
German Shepherd Rescue Groups
GSD Rescue
GSD Rescue Referral
Los Angeles GSD Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue -
Unleashed!
GSD Rescue and Adoptions
Lake Charles GSD Rescue
White Shepherd Dog Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue
"Rolling Rescue" Helping to bring adopted animals to their new homes.
***
"Rescued
Dog"
Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or a gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you
Was whispered in my ear."
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear"
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat"
"And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet".
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
A human came so near.
And as she tended to my wounds
And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me bout the rescue group
And what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
A line that never ends".
"And in the center there is you
protected by new friends".
"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home
after you've been found".
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far.
"To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star".
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see".
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go".
I waited very patiently,
The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
It wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special dog like you".
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet".
~Arlene Pace~
September 18, 1998
***
"The
Meaning of Rescue"
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and
fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I'd like to open by baggage
Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry -
So much to regret.
Hmm...yes there it is, right on top
Let's unpack Loneliness, heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
as I look on these things I tried so hard to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things -
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
~Author Unknown~
***
He woke with a start
could not figure out where he was.
Why am I warm, why am I safe,
why is the world suddenly soft?
Oh yes, the lady that talks so sweet
she rubs my ears and cooches my belly.
I like it here
wonder if she'll send me back?
It is quiet but I can hear life about me
it is a calm, safe feeling.
One I have never known
but have dreamt of.
I have only been here a day
wonder if they'll let me stay?
Maybe if I'm good and sweet
they won't put me on the street.
I'm so confused
the lady talks so nice all the time.
I got my own dinner last night
without a fight.
I hear some noise
wonder if she'll send me back?
She is calling my name
how sweet she sounds.
I am here, right here
waiting for my ear rub.
Better wag my tail
let her know I like her a lot.
There she is, she is so soft
wonder if she'll let me stay?
Time to go out she says
better not do it on the floor.
Out side with all the others
they seem happy here too.
I hope she lets me stay.
Wow food again
and all my own!
She just rubbed my head
and said 'what a good boy.'
Me a good boy
wow me a good boy!
Oh that smile of hers
hope she lets me stay.
Looks like play time
hey I can play too.
She is laughing
I remember that sound.
They used to do that when
I was little and they liked me.
You know the other people
then they just stopped laughing.
Please don't make me go back.
She is on the phone
thought I heard my name.
She is looking at me
she is smiling.
Better get over there and
get one of those ear rubs.
She is talking about me
Please don't make me go back.
Still talking about me
Wonder what she meant.
She said 'looks like a keeper to me.'
I hope she'll let me stay.
I was never allowed to give kisses
wonder what she would do?
Think I'll try.
Oh my, she's got tears in her eyes!
Oh what have I done?
A big hug, maybe she'll let me stay.
She said I'm home now
talks to me a lot, real nice.
Wow, what a day and
it's only just begun!
Imagine having many days
like this all together.
Oh, Please let me stay!
Thanks to all the rescuers for all you do.
--Author Unkown--
Don't forget to
visit Echo's
Day At The Beach and Water Dog pages!
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