Tuesday, June 15, 2010

More new faces

The first dog I took in after returning from Montana was Thor. I was expecting several dogs but Thor wasn't even on the radar screen, he came out of the blue. I got back on Monday and Tuesday had a call about him from the owner. They had taken him in from someone else just a few weeks before because the dog was running at large and in danger of being hit on the road. Thor's new home had a large, well-fenced yard, but it as immediately adjacent to a pasture full of horses. Not knowing what else to do, Thor would spend all his time running the fence line and barking at the horses, so the new owners were looking for a better placement for him. They called Caring for Creatures, who told them to call me upon learning that it was a shepherd. I went right over and picked him up. The Charlottesville SPCA accomodated me with a neuter appointment for him on Friday.

All this dog needs is a home, some basic training, and social skills. He's less than a year old and he retains his puppy-like sweetness and is very friendly to people and other dogs. Thor is very thin because one of the other dogs in his former home was preventing him from accessing the food source. But he seems happy and healthy and he has a good appetite. He is going to be a really good looking shepherd when he puts on a few pounds. Look at that head in profile; he's handsome. He reminds me of another scrawny little guy we took in years ago who got overlooked because he was skinny. We kept him and he became our Zachary.

Thor spent a couple days indoors in a crate after his neuter surgery and was fine with it, but I don't think he has ever lived indoors. He didn't know how to climb or descend stairs, but he learned quickly. I suspect he will learn anything quickly, but he will need to be taught. Shepherds' bodies develop faster than their brains. When he got feeling better, he wanted more action and I moved him back outside where he is currently sharing a kennel with Teddy, Axle, and a new girl I brought home today, a female shepherd named Lexis.

Lexis is another owner surrender. Seems she killed a ferret. Well, duh. They are rodents. She's a sweet girl. Came with me readily, hopped right in the car. She moved right in with Teddy and the two male shepherd boys, Axle and Thor, without any problem. She's a pretty girl, about 4 years old, she will make someone a really great, loyal companion.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Brent,

Is Lexis okay with cats? We are currently looking for a another rescue GSD. We adopted our GSD Ronin (1 year and 7 months) from the NC GSD Rescue.

Thank you!
Sandra

Unknown said...

Brent,

Is either Thor or Lexis okay with cats? We are looking for another rescue GSD to add to the family. We currently have a GSD (Ronin) that we adopted from the NC GSD rescue who is a year and 7 months. Ronin is a super sweet dog who has hip displaysia and he is longing for a four legged buddy.

Thank you,
Sandra

Brent said...

I'm guessing that Lexis may have at least a little prey drive, but I don't really know about either of them with cats. I may try to do a cat test later this week after our vet appointment on Thursday.