Gainesville Adoption Event

Today was the bi-weekly VGSR adoption event at the Gainesville Petsmart. Because of the cold weather we were inside today. The dogs prefer it outside, it's not so crowded or stressful, and most of the volunteers prefer it as well. Inside the store with a group of German Shepherds, people, and shopping carts, things can get a little hectic. That is particularly stressful on Lyka (left), who doesn't handle stress or change particularly well. That is one thing she and I have in common. Lyka doesn't "show" very well at adoption events, but she is really a pretty good dog. She needs an active person (she's a car chaser if given half a chance), so she needs an outlet for that energy. She is smart, learns quickly, and will be a great dog for the right person.

Amy didn't last very long at the event today before she had to go back to the car. She's a grumpy old girl and she really likes to stay at home. Amy is a CASPCA foster (Amisha is her official name) and she is one that I'll probably have a long time. It is very tough to find an adopter for a senior dog. She'd make a great dog for an older person, however, or a couch potato of any age. She will roll over for a belly rub for absolutely anyone. That red coat and white socks are really pretty too. Amy has learned to get along with the other foster dogs here at home, but out in public she uses her "I'm-an-old-lady-stay-away-don't-bother-me" bark at every dog she meets.

Score and Max don't look like shepherds, I know. Score (right) is half shepherd, however, and is a VGSR dog. Max (left) is a chocolate lab I've got through Animal Connections. I often take one or more Animal Connections dogs to VGSR adoption events. The people looking at shepherds are at least looking for a large breed dog and occasionally some of them realize that a shepherd isn't really what they want or need. I can tell you that many shepherd adopters should be considering something, anything, other than a German Shepherd. So, I'm usually there with a lab, rottweiler, golden, or just a big mutt, in case they come to their senses. Shepherds are great dogs, but they are not for everybody. You must be smarter than the dog to own a German Shepherd. That eliminates a lot of potential applicants. Those people are better suited for labs.

Max and Score are close in age and IQ. They are buddies at home, but they were inseparable at the adoption event today. If either was out of site, they would be looking for each other and barking so that they were at least in audio contact. Often my fosters are like that with me at outings. Today, however, I could have been anywhere, they were only concerned about each other. No great prospects at today's event for any of my dogs, but it was good exposure for the chocolate lab and he did get some interest, so who knows? Maybe something good will come of it.