Author: Sturmfalken

About fostering a dog

/ Sturmfalken / 3 Comments
I would have never thought that it would be so hard to foster a dog and then have to let go of him so he can continue on with his journey to happiness. Seriously, it’s been hard to hand him over and to watch them drive off, him sitting in the passenger seat, looking at me all confused, not understand why he’s going to yet another person. I wished we could have kept him. I wished I could have given him the forever home he deserves but then again, I already have four dogs. Four German Shepherds and caring for a fifth one would have been a struggle. Caring for four is hard enough. It is time consuming. Each one wants his share of time, each one of them needs to be trained and they all need to be fed, they need shots, de-wormer and since we are in the US they will need heartworm protection as well. 
While it was love from the first sight I had to let go off him. Had to get him a home where he is well cared for and where he is an only dog and getting the attention he deserves. Our house is crazy. We have a four months old puppy, a year old one that acts like another four months old, a big dane we are watching plus a bitch that isn’t good with change. While he perfectly fit in and made himself at home there was just not enough room. It was too cramped and I only agreed to foster him anyway. I agreed to make sure that he finds a good home, I just wouldn’t have thought that I let myself get attached so fast. I only had him for like a week and I balled my eyes out once they were gone. I am still balling whenever I think about him. I don’t know why I got so attached but it was love from first sight on both sides. We made a perfect fit and I truly hope that it was the right decision to let him go. I have no doubt that the Mid-Atlantic Rescue has the right home for him. He is easy going, very laid back, has a great temper, not the least bit aggressive. At least he has not shown any aggressive behavior while he was with us and that means something. If a dog can get along with mine, he’ll get along with anything. 
He needs a lot of training though. Lot’s of training. It’s a shame that he’s going to get fixed because there wouldn’t be a need, not for him. But with all those BYB’s out there it’s the safest way to ensure that he won’t be bred. 
Good luck, Rex. I miss you boy. May you live a wonderful life at your new home.

Busy with the Dogs

/ Sturmfalken

It’s been quite busy with the dogs.


We have taken a foster Shepherd in, next week he will be transfered to the Mid Atlantic Rescue where he is going to his new family. He is a gorgeous boy and I would love to keep him. Oh my god, I so want to keep him but we have four dogs already, plus Audie to watch so I can’t keep another dog. It’s impossible. Even though he is the sweetest boy ever. Since Mid-Atlantic already adopted a dog out to the family and they are approved and qualified, I have no doubt that he’ll have a great life over at Maryland. 
Yesterday I went to a Greg Doud Workshop in Glenmont. He is the most awesome Helper I have ever met. The way he worked the dogs was amazing. I don’t think there are many helpers like him out there, Most helper don’t even come close to his expertise. It was quite a drive to get there and on the way back I ran into a white-out. Believe me when I say that I don’t EVER want to run into a white-out again. It’s scary. Very scary. The white-out itself is not so bad, what makes it so scary is that people still drive like idiots. Seriously, you can’t see shit and still go 65 MPH? 
At one point somebody almost ran into me and I was happy and lucky to get home safely and alive!

The workshop is once a month and I definitely plan to attend each and every workshop I can take with him. Other than that I plan to go out there every Wednesday for the obedience classes and possibly go to Debbie Zappia to take obedience classes with her as well. We do need to do something about obedience, there is a lot of things that need to be corrected and I still have a lot to learn. 
Let’s face it. Training on your own only brings you so far and not any further. You can only learn if there is somebody that kicks your butt on a regular basis. 
Judge is being a good boy, especially the housebreaking part works perfect. We’ve only had very few accidents so far. I let him outside almost hourly and that makes it very easy for him not to potty in the house. 

He’s such a goofball, isn’t he? 🙂

The snow-search was an interesting experience, it’s been quite an experience to be buried in snow. It is not as scary as I thought it would be but we were safe. We had a kennel cover the upper body and laid on a plastic-sheet and had a radio with us so we were not in real danger after-all.

Anyhow, I am hoping the weather will hold up for Wednesdays & Saturdays training. I missed to much training due to the crazy weather conditions. I wished I could have went to the Greg Doud Seminar today but better safe than sorry. I don’t need to be the next fatal accident on the news.