PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Off-Topic Zeus has gone north.

Some of you may remember that I posted a while back about a male German Shepherd that I was fostering after saving him from the executioner at a kill shelter. He had been returned twice and was deemed to be non-adoptable and scheduled to be put down when I got the call to check him out and get him out if I thought he was a good candidate for rescue. The last family that had adopted him claimed he "snapped at them" and the shelter wasn't going to release him to another family with a "bite history". Since I represented the WCHS, I was able to get him out. Over the next several days I tested him to see if I could provoke a snap. Nope.... he was extremely friendly and tolerant of me. He was a keeper at that point.

I Got him on Aug 20 and worked with the Humane Society (his sponsor) to get him vaccinated for rabies, all shots caught up, neutered, and get his heartworms treated. All of that took time and he came through it all like a champ. In fact, nothing seemed to slow him down one iota. With the heartworm treatment and recovery, he was to be kept as quiet as possible. No running and playing since that could cause the worms to break off and block arteries and that would be really bad. We did "sniff walks" in the woods, and he spent his time in the pen lounging around. Good meals with fresh eggs cracked on them.... fresh air, and lots of rubs and hugs, and face time. He loved being with us. He was happy when he could spend time walking and hanging with us on the steps, in the house, the office/studio, or just walking.

All good things must end eventually. And Zeus's time with us has finally come to it's end. He was arranged a transport to a dog rescue group in Connecticut this past weekend. Two ladies run it. One is a vet tech and the other is a dog trainer. I'd been in touch with both prior to Zeus leaving here. I got a few pics and a video and the comment that if she didn't already have 4 shepherds of her own, the trainer would keep Zeus for herself. He arrived safely after an 18 hour ride. It wasn't straight through, and made stops for the dogs to have breaks and meals, as well as pick up and drop off on the route. Zeus is now in their care.

They will be training him for a few weeks. He needs brushing up on obedience and house manners.... no paws on the counters, stay out of the trash, etc...

Since they, at this time, are not planning to keep him..... they will be vetting the homes of the folks who are interested in him so that he will go to a home that knows what they are getting and can handle a dog like Zeus. No more returns to the shelter..... he deserves a forever home with a family that will love and care for him the rest of his earthly journey.

He's a great dog. Some family is going to be very blessed to have him. We enjoyed having him as our guest for the 2 months he was here.

Thanks for sharing the story Herb. Very inspirational!

He's beautiful. And thanks to you, adoptable!! I am only on day 17 with Chunk and he has come a LONG way already. Dealt with a bout of tapeworms, walking 4 times every day on a leash (For as long as his dad can handle it! Usually about a half mile.) and he walks beautifully. The first couple he pulled a lot but now the leash is always slack. He still gets distracted some but this is all new to him and I expect that. A quick tug and the word "come" and he starts walking again. He is still licking at his incision some so he is wearing an inflatable collar, but he is out of the cone of shame. Neosporin is helping the healing a lot.

You did a great job Herb! And a great THING. All they need is guidance and a sense of knowing they are wanted.

Another perk of dog ownership, exercise for the human too.

Yep. Not enough that the knee was replaced. I actually have to use it too!

What a beautiful boy! Very glad you were able to take him on and save his life!

Way to go Herb and Eddie. Great to see that humans can be as good for dogs as they are for humans. Both dogs are fortunate.

So.... a bit more follow up. He's been at the rescue less than a week. Got word today that he will be adopted this weekend by a single man, owns his house with a nice fenced yard. He will have an indoor kennel set up. No kids, no wife, no other animals. Zeus will be on a 30 day trial to be sure it works. So the guy can return Zeus to the rescue for any reason if he's not 100% on board with the dog and there's no problems in doing that.

Awesome news!