Two uprooted shepherds

I adopted Rufus (previously Roo) to this woman back in 2015. The woman wasn't young then and her health declined over the years. I heard from her a couple years back when she had moved into a retirement community where she could keep her dogs. That didn't work out I guess because they were shepherds, they barked, and neighbors complained, so she moved back to her home and got the assistance that she needed to stay in her home, with her dogs. Her need for additional care grew, however, and it became problematic. Rufus was very protective and didn't understand why all these people were coming to their home and doing stuff with his mother. He made it difficult on the caregivers but they persevered until the point that the woman needed to move to a facility that could provide her the level of care that she needed.

Somewhere along the line she had adopted a second shepherd, a female named Melly. After the woman moved out the dogs came to me, thanks to the caretaker who had been in touch with me for several months before the final move so it didn't come as a great surprise. 

Rufus and Melly are both about seven years old. They are both overweight, particularly Melly. Both have been spayed/neutered, and are up to date on vaccines, and heartworm preventative and tests. Melly is very friendly to absolutely everyone. Rufus is a bit suspicious of strangers at first, but he comes around quickly. It only took a couple of days here for him to begin to bond with me, although he didn't eat for the better part of a week when he first moved in here. Melly was eating by the second day. Both dogs have been on rather drastic diets since coming here and they are both getting a lot more exercise than they had been getting in their former home. Rufus has already dropped some weight and it shows. I'm sure Melly has too, but hers isn't showing up so much yet. I need to get them weighed. 

It was the owner's wish that they be adopted together, if possible, and although that would be wonderful if someone wanted them both, that's a high barrier and I don't believe it's necessary or even perhaps desirable. They stuck to one another closely when they first arrived, which is understandable, but it also became apparent that Rufus was more dependent on Melly than she was on him. In the time they've been here, they've grown. Rufus chases Lexie whenever they are together. Melly likes to play fetch with me and Hugo. They aren't glued at the hip and I really don't think it's necessary or advisable to hold out for a home that wants them both. At seven years old, they are approaching senior status, and taking on even one senior dog is quite an undertaking much less two.

They need brushing because they are shepherds and I once again have a level of dog hair in the house that we haven't seen in quite a while since Max is now our only German Shedding Dog. In spite of their weight, they seem to be in good health and weight loss can only help by removing some of the strain on those shepherd bones and joints. Even with the excess weight they are surprisingly active and agile. Melly can hop into the back of my van on her own, much to my surprise. They both are active in the pasture on our outdoor walks and romps. 

I took them to meet Erika this evening because I want to bring them in as Green Dogs fosters. Rufus was a bit cautious at the very beginning, but nothing beyond what you'd expect from a typical shepherd. Melly was sweet and friendly. Both dogs met 12 year old Finn, and didn't seem bothered or even interested by the younger children playing and screaming. I've had zero problems between them and our other dogs, even Hugo, who can be an ass. Oh, there was a cat in the former home too. 

So, Melly and Rufus need new homes. Both are easy going dogs at this point in their lives, but still plenty active enough to enjoy walks and a game of fetch. Ongoing weight control is obviously needed and will reap great benefits in heading off future medical and mobility problems. They aren't officially "in" Green Dogs yet, so contact me at vadogrescue@gmail.com with any questions or if you are interested in meeting either of these great dogs.

Thanks for hanging in there to the end of this post. I know it was much longer than usual, but these dogs have a story to tell and there's a reason I'm on Blogger and not Twitter.