THINK ALL PEOPLE ARE MEANER THAN A RABID GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG?

If you go on any given e-mail list that is sharing their opinions about our beloved breed, you are bound to run into a few disgruntled people. Emotions can become rapidly agitated and tempers can reach the boiling point. Like the German Shepherd Dog that they own, they are a proud community. They feel things strongly and "Oh my goodness," challenge their viewpoints and sometimes the "uglies" spew out of their mouths, feelings become hurt and sometime friendships strained or lost forever! But like the most faithful dog on the planet (of course that's the German Shepherd Dog), the majority of the people connected to this breed when called upon for help, step up to the plate and score a home run! I always knew that I had made some wonderful friendships in this breed, but little did I know how wonderful they truly were. Even more surprising were those in our community that I never met who was right there for me during my hard times. Most people know people in this breed by the dogs they own and show, but sometimes we forget that they are human beings before they were ever a dog person. I am so blessed and so appreciative to all of you that reached out to me. It proves that there are, indeed, angels right here on earth.

It all began with my dog "Amber." Yup I wanted to include her here on my list of "thank-you's!" Like most German Shepherds, she's very smart and very curious. I remember how she would come up to me looking for a pat on the head because she's an extremely affectionate dog. When I look back on it, many, many times she would take her big black German Shepherd Dog nose and press it against my stomach and sniff and snort loudly. I would jokingly say to her, "What are you smelling Amber.......some bad stuff inside of me?" I've had some health problems these past several years so nothing surprised me anymore. Now I know what it was she was smelling. They say that a dog can smell cancer or other illnesses that you may be harboring inside. I was convinced that she did just that! So pay attention if your dog is paying attention to you a little more than usual.

When I was first diagnosed with uterine cancer and told some of my closest friends in the breed, they all were concerned and before I even knew what hit me, they were busy behind the lines, if you will! So here goes with all the many "thank you's" that I need to say. The first one goes out to my dear friend Marilyn Smith. Many of you only know her for the lovely animals that she's bred. But Marilyn is much more than a friend to the German Shepherd Dog. She is a friend that goes out of her way more times than not when someone is in need. She has this calm demeanor but don't let that fool you, she knows how to get things done. I told her that I was very concerned for my three dogs when I go to the hospital and then when I come home for my recovery. I knew that I wouldn't have the money to have people come in to take care of my dogs. She told me that she didn't want me to worry about my dogs. She said "You get your operation and I'll take care of the rest." And true to her word, she did. First she gave me the number of a organization that helps dog people when they become ill. It's called "Take the Lead." I contacted them and filled out the papers that they asked me to only to be told that it was too expensive to pay these dog sitters and with a "pat on the back" wished me well and sent me on my way. In my opinion, their attitude was not very friendly and almost made you feel guilty for being sick at all. They depend on donations to help their cause. I'm sure other people that they helped would give them a favorable review. I'm sorry that I will not be counted as one of those people. In my opinion they need more friendly, sympathetic people that answer their phones and deal with ill people. While I understand that they can't help all that may come to them, they need to do some work on learning how to turn people down with more kindness than they do now. They may be dog friendly, but I didn't feel they were very people friendly!!!!

Marilyn reassured me that all was not lost. She said she was going to contact the "Sunshine Squad" from the German Shepherd Dog Show list. So she placed a call to Doc. Zoe and called me back to let me know she was waiting to hear back from her. Later that night, Marilyn and I were talking again and she was getting a call from Zoe and told me she would call me back. A little while later, she excitedly told me that I was approved and for me to call up those dog sitters and book them to come take care of my dogs. I cried with joy as my dogs were a major concern for me. Now I could go get my insides cut out of me with a smile on my face!!!! (Not)! My dogs were going to be taken care of!!! Doc Zoe was marvelous to talk with and so very supportive during my hardest times. She wrote to me and called me several times to make sure I was doing well. Think she's just one of the administrators and founding members of the Show Dog list? Then you don't really know one of the kindest people that I didn't really know either!!! The Sunshine Squad is a marvelous charitable organization that helps fellow German Shepherd enthusiasts that are in need during their trials and tribulations. The word "sunshine" is an appropriate name for this organization because that is just what they did for me...........brought a little sunshine during some of the blackest days of my life. I don't know all those that contribute to this wonderful organization but from the bottom of my "itty bittie" heart, thanking you and Marilyn seems so inadequate! God bless you all! Please check out the Sunshine Squad's link here. It offers so many different resources for those that are in need. And donations are gladly accepted for you never know when you too may need assistance! It's a great website for information. http://showgsd.org/sunshine.html

And then there's my good friend who makes me laugh more than most. You guys may only know her as that lady from "Last Hope, Safe Haven." Yup that's the one and only Dawn Restuccia! I asked her to take over my e-mail list (The GSD Showcase) in my absence and she graciously accepted. But more than supporting my e-mail list, it was that chicken soup of hers that most impressed me! Since the time that she knew that I was ill, she kept saying to me that she wished she lived closer so she could make me some homemade chicken soup. Then one day she gets this brainstorm (she's gets a lot of these) and tells me that she's going to send it me in the mail!!! I thought she was kidding and told her she was crazy and I just laughed it off knowing what a "joker" she is. Well no she wasn't kidding and yes she is crazy because "lo and behold" there's a big box waiting for me on my doorstep one morning! I look at the return address and it's from Massachusetts. Who do I know that lives up there? It could only be Dawn! I open up this overly taped up box that houses a big old bowl that she froze in her freezer. It's taped up with a gazillion wrappings that took me forever to remove. Sure enough there's the soup that she told me took three pounds of chicken to make! Can you believe it?! And "man of man"..........the woman can cook! My stomach loved every spoonful. Knowing Dawn has been a true pleasure in my life! Thank you dear friend. You are really special.....even if you are a little crazy!

Thank you to all my other many friends in the breed for your many phone calls and e-mails. They all meant so much to me. It's true, you really don't know who your friends are until you are in need of their friendship. It's so easy to be a "friend" to someone when their life is good. It's those people that hang around when your life stinks that are true friends! Those that impressed me the most were those that I never met who reached out to me. Thank you very much. There was Steve up in Maine that offered to take care of my dogs for me. There was Bruce who had prayers said for me in his church as many others did as well. There was a special e-mail group of German Shepherd people who say prayers for the sick and dying and Deb would send me prayer updates all the time. The list goes on and on. I never really appreciated how truly blessed I am until I became ill. I never felt sorry for myself and asked, "Why did this happen to me dear Lord?" I just accepted it and knew I was in God's hands and he already knew what was going to happen to me anyway! Life is what it is............not always easy, not always fun, and certainly not what you may want it to be, but it is what it is. You can either accept it or fall down and crumble, moan, groan and complain or "get up" and go on! Well I'm still here for as long as God wants me here because I know he has work for me to do yet in whatever way he chooses to use me. All I know is that I am blessed.

I also want to thank my family that has been here for me. You already read about my youngest brother, but my other brother Jedd has been a God send to me as well. He was with me after my first operation and waited with me in the recovery room and listened to my endless drug induced chatter for what must have seemed like hours on end! He has the patience of a saint for that one. I was no better in his immaculate car when I threatened to get sick in it from the triple morphine running through my veins. He got me home just in time because what I threatened to do in his car, I did in the kitchen sink. Yucky! Sorry for the visual, but I'm telling my story as it was! Then he also took me down for my follow up at Sloan Kettering which ended up being an all day event because of more testing. We left at 9 in the morning and returned at 9 in the evening!

Then there's my sister who commissioned the dog sitters to stay a few weeks longer. Thank God because I just couldn't do the physical work needed to take care of them! Then there's my cousins that called me all the time and my best friend Brenda who has been "too kind for words!" She's like a second sister to me!

I have to say something here about my faith. I have very strong feelings about it. But there are times when you wonder what you are going to do about something that you see no way through. I experienced this many times during my trials. I wondered how I was going to do this or that. One day I was walking through the kitchen talking to myself and asking myself these exact questions. I felt my blood pressure elevated and through my "self talk", I heard a silent voice say in answer to my questions........"Ye of little faith!" You have no idea of how enlightening that was to me! I had to remind myself........"Let go and let God!" And because my faith is strong (although tested many times), God was there for me once again.................he worked his miracle through all of you guys that were there for me! So next time you go to a show, say hello to a stranger. Help out a newbie that is looking for a friend. You just never know if he was sent to you as your "Guiding Angel" for sometime in the future!


So this has been my journey. I am still recovering and it's a slow process. I live my life one day at a time. For all those that reached out to me in this breed.............you are so much more than just a breeder or exhibitor. You are special human beings above anything else. Some of you may never own a champion and some of you own more than your share of them, but to me, you are champions among people!!! You may not have a title just yet, but your crown is reserved by a judge far better suited to judge than any AKC licensed judge on this earth!!!


From the book: A SECOND HELPING OF CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: The runaway bestseller Chicken Soup for the Soul captured the imagination of millions of readers with its uplifting message of hope and inspiration. With a nation still hungering for more good news, Canfield and Hansen went back to work and cooked up another batch of life-affirming stories to warm your heart and soothe your soul.

Through the experiences of others, readers from all walks of life can learn the gift of love, the power of perseverance, the joy of parenting and the vital energy of dreaming. Share the magic that will change forever how you look at yourself and the world around you.

My rating: "Sunshine Squad": (4), Chicken Soup for the Soul books: (4), most German Shepherd Dog people: (4)!

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN NOTHING LIKE ME!

 

This is Brandy & Schultz taken from the Pet Finder adotption site.  These dogs were turned in by their owner because they didn't have room for them anymore!

Could you love a homely dog? How about one that doesn’t meet the German Shepherd Dog’s standard for conformation? Maybe he’s a little shy. Maybe he limps. Would you even consider a dog that has only one eye? Have you ever adopted a dog from a shelter or picked one up from the street that was dashing in between the cars on the highway? 

Anyone can love a beautiful structured German Shepherd puppy.   They’re easy to love. Sometimes in a litter of puppies, there may be a runt or one that nature forgot to give “good looks” to. This may be the puppy that is left behind. More times than not, he is the last one puppy people are looking to buy.

We live in a world that admires and rewards beauty. Beautiful women grace the covers of magazines. Handsome men get the romantic leads in big blockbuster movies. It is said that attractive people have more job opportunities come their way and that they are hired first. Many times the most popular kids in school were the good looking ones. Is it fair? Of course not, but in many cases it’s the truth.

Many of the German Shepherds that you see in the shelters don’t look like the type of dog that the serious breeder is breeding for. Most of them don’t meet the “ideal” standard of the breed. You’ll see all sorts of colors, faded pigment, spindly bone, oversized bone, long coats, short coats, mange infested bodies, erect ears, down ears, high in the rear, sway backs, you name it…………….but one thing they all share and that is that they are indeed, a German Shepherd dog. They have the intelligence of this great breed and have a tremendous amount of love to share even if they are not as pleasing to look at.

If you stroll through a shelter, you’ll see purebred dogs of most breeds. They’ll be German Shepherds and many mixes of the breed. Many of the German Shepherds that you find in shelters are from the back yard breeders or people that thought it would be a good idea to breed their dogs so the kids can experience the birth of a litter. Everyone fusses over the puppies until they become too unruly and no one wants to take care of them anymore. You’ll see a tremendous amount of Pit Bulls in these shelters and more than anything else you’ll see the “mutts.”

Look at the faces of some of these marvelous dogs. The eyes that look back at you touch you deep down in the soul. I’ve always been partial to the German Shepherd Dog ever since I was a kid. To me they embody everything that I think a dog should be. But did you ever adopt a stray dog? Some marvelous personalities and minds are housed in that funny looking little body that can barely contain themselves when you walk by.

I have been to many shelters. I have seen the pictures of some of the shelter dogs on the rescues lists. Some of them are beautiful and some are down right homely and you may find yourself questioning if he is a German Shepherd at all. But we must never forget that no matter if they fit the standard of the breed or not, that inside that no so attractive body, the heart of the German Shepherd still reigns supreme.

And what about those people that adopt the most un-adoptable? What type of people are they who take in the blind, who give comfort to the senior dog who may only have another six months to live? Who are these people who give medical care to dogs that many would never even touch? What do these people look like? Do they live in big houses and drive expensive cars? Most people wouldn’t recognize them for they don’t look to flatter themselves with unnecessary adoration. Their goal is to help save another German Shepherd Dog from an early death and to give them another chance at life. These people have to be some of the most unselfish people that I know. What are they getting out of this hard, tedious type of work? And work it is!

They are getting the dirtiest, smelliest, diseased infested dogs that no one else wants. They didn’t breed them. They didn’t bring them into the world. So why are they doing what they are doing? In a “What’s in it for me” type of society, what are these people doing this for? Do they love the breed anymore than you or me? How many of us would do what they do even if we had the means to do it? Does it make them better people than you or I? I certainly don’t have all the answers. But I do believe that some people have a calling to do what they do. Some of them are breeders and some of them are just people who love the breed. I am in admiration of these people.

With the recent devastation in Haiti, I am proud to see how the American people have pulled together to send aid and donations to that country. Children are being adopted by caring people. Food and medical supplies are being sent for the hungry and sick. Helping another human being is probably the most rewarding thing you can do. But when you do for God’s “lesser creatures” (the animals) then in my opinion you have truly humbled yourself by giving care to the beasts of the land.

From the book “Dogs I have met: And the people they found” by Ken Foster…..and I quote: “In this moving sequel to his 2006 bestseller The Dogs Who Found Me, Foster introduces readers to dogs and owners he encountered while promoting his earlier book. In many cases, the dogs had been rescued from death by people who had "decided that they were worth the work of saving," and Foster interweaves their remarkable stories with updates on his own life and the dogs who continue to change his life in surprising ways. The stories are as diverse as the dogs themselves, from a woman who found a pregnant, one-eyed stray in the exact spot where she had been involved in a car crash six years earlier that killed her best friend, to a man certain that his adoption of a pit bull saved him from Hurricane Katrina. Foster concludes with a more detailed look at the animals affected by Katrina's devastation, including a moving tribute to the volunteers who helped give shelter to the dogs of New Orleans.”

So although some of the German Shepherds in shelters may not be “picture book” pretty, they are just as deserving of a life as those that are. And maybe you won’t see those who do rescue work running around the conformation ring showing their dogs. (Although some of them do)! But whatever it is that have brought these people to hear the call of the German Shepherds that need to be rescued, I believe that they have been touched by angels to do the angelic work that they do. Many more German Shepherds walk this earth because of these kind people’s dedication. Unwanted and forgotten German Shepherds brought together by unsung heroes and lovers of the breed……..an unbeatable combination. Role reversal, perhaps? Without question, the German Shepherd Dog has always been known to be the servant of his master. This is a case where the master is giving back and serving the dog.

ON THE SPOT: LAXFIELD GERMAN SHEPHERDS

I remember when I first “met” Dawn Restuccia on the telephone a little over four years ago. I came away with the impression that here was a woman who truly loved the breed.  She wasn’t in it for what the breed could do for her………fame and glory; no she was in it to see what she could do for the betterment of the German Shepherd Dog.  Dawn got in touch with me after I wrote one of my articles on the list. She had asked me if I could write a story about a pathetic little female dog that had acid thrown all over her body and wondered if I could help get the word out about this horrific story.  So I wrote a story called, “Mooie” which received the attention that Dawn was hoping for and so began a warm friendship between us.   I finally got to meet Dawn in person at a futurity a couple of years ago.   Here was this unassuming woman with the big personality.  I am now glad to be able to call her friend.

Me: How long have you owned German Shepherds and why did you decide on this breed?

Dawn:  I have had dogs of one sort or another my entire life.  When our last dog (a Lhasa Apso) passed away, I purchased Krunch#1 for my husband’s birthday gift.  He had always wanted a GSD.  We took great care in selecting our newest addition, interviewing several breeders and visiting quite a few kennels.  We settled on Krunch from a Rhode Island breeder and could not have been more pleased.  His intelligence was astounding.  When he was 6 months old, we brought him back to his breeder for evaluation.  A video of Krunch was sent to Billy Rossi and the rest is history.  That was more than 15 years ago.

Me: Most people, who have heard of you, associate you as the founder of Last Hope, Safe Haven. Can you tell us how you got involved with this? When did you start trying to help shelter dogs and why?

Dawn:  I do not remember what led me to the Petfinder link for Willow; a beautiful throwaway GSD in a Chatsworth Georgia shelter.  All I remember is her eyes, staring out from behind the chain link.  She had such a quizzical look...as if she were asking "What did I do wrong? Where are my owners?"  The thought of this beautiful creature being destroyed for no reason other than the lack of a rescue or a home made no sense to me.  I went to our national chat list and posted her need where I was met with people offering to go to pull her and drive her great distances to another GSD lover in NC where she remained until she was adopted. One dog after another followed; all in desperate need.  I was in awe of the number of German Shepherd breeders and AKC competitors who were willing to assist either financially; with transport or temporary fostering.  In speaking with the Rescues, I realized that many had foster homes available but did not have the money for the altering and vaccinations for the dogs.  There was also a lack of any emergent care funding; another thing that LHSH provides when our finances permit.  We have covered the expenses for heart worm treatment and many types of surgeries for dogs who otherwise would have had to been destroyed.  Our initial motivation for LHSH was to provide rescues with the necessary finances required in "pulling" a German Shepherd facing an uncertain fate in a kill facility. In the beginning we had hoped to have a Sanctuary for those dogs that were not adoptable and the seniors.  While we have not eliminated that ultimate goal, it is on hold until we have the funding to provide for such an enormous undertaking.  To date, together with the many Rescues we work with, LHSH is honored to have assisted more than 450 German Shepherds on to new lives of hope and love.


Me: Just what is it that Last Hope, Safe Haven does?

Dawn:   LHSH is a 501c3 national German Shepherd Rescue assistance organization, bridging the financial gap between shelter and Rescue for German Shepherds in critical situations.  We cover the cost of spay/neuter, HW testing, age appropriate vaccinations and up to three days of board while transport is arranged by an LHSH approved Rescue.  Typically, this represents a cost of approximately $150.  We work with both purebred and all breed Rescues.  When the dog is adopted, we only ask that any money realized be utilized to save another life.  We do not deduct the adoption money from whatever is paid out to the Rescue.  We also raise funds to assist GSDs who are in crisis already IN rescue, such as in the case of Lukas in North Carolina. Found tied to a bumper of a fire truck, weighing a mere 47 pounds and covered in bedsores, A Shelter Friends' founder Krista Hansen called on LHSH to assist with his medical care (which was extensive).  Through donations, we were able to cover $700 of Lukas' care; the difference between life and death for a dog who only wants to love someone.

Me: What are you most proud of with your organization?

Dawn:  I am continually amazed at the outpouring of support from so many wonderful people.  We have raised well over $30,000...no small feat in this economic downturn.  Fully 99% of every dollar donated goes to direct care of a dog.  The remaining 1% is for administrative expenses such as brochures.  I am proud of the people who have helped make LHSH what it is, our Board members both past and present.  I am very proud of those volunteers who have trudged out to dog shows in downpours to raise much needed funds...I am proud to know so many wonderful people in Rescue, who give their life's blood each and every day to save just one more dog.  They are the real hero's here.

Me: OK, so now that people know about Last Hope, Safe Haven, I bet not too many people know about your small breeding program.  Can you tell us about that and what is the name of your kennel?

Dawn:  The name of our kennel is Laxfield. It is in honor of a dear friend who raised Connemara horses in Weston, Massachusetts.  It was the name of his farm and where we lived for several years.  Eleven years ago, we lost our precious Shandrani at 3 years old to mesenteric torsion. Krunch #1 was inconsolable, so we set out on a journey to add yet another GSD to our band.  In came Kizzy (Red Rock's Champagne Kisses ROM), the light of Krunch's life and the show dog I had always hoped for.  Due to my declining health, I was unable to finish her (she lacks only a final major). We did however; succeed in breeding her two times to Dallas, resulting in 6 AKC Champions which gave Kiz her ROM.  I kept four of the resulting progeny; Krunch #2, Vinnie, Arwen and Gracie. Krunch and Vin are both "finished".  Krunch is currently being shown in Juniors with his co owner, Chris Martin.  Vinnie (Ch. Laxfields Hit Man) has multiple group wins and placements as well as an Award of Merit which he garnered at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club show. Gracie and Arwen are both AKC pointed.

Me: I know you have told me several times that you prefer showing in the All-Breed ring rather than in the Specialty ring.  Can you explain this to our reading audience?

Dawn:  I have shown in both venues successfully.  Vinnie and Kizzy both had Major Reserves in the specialty rings.  That being said, the camaraderie you experience with the exhibitors in the all breed ring is a better fit for me.  The atmosphere is different; how can I say...less stressful?  There are also a great many more All breed shows here in the northeast.

Me: Do you show any of your dogs in obedience work? How about therapy work?

Dawn:  Krunch was certified by Therapy Dogs International as a Therapy dog.  His younger sister Esme is a Service dog in Ohio and Vinnie is my Service dog.  Vinnie's brother Cash is not only an AKC Champion, but is a herding dog as well.  Four other siblings live in homes with small children.

Me: What are you most proud of with your own dogs?

Dawn:  The temperaments.  Some of my best memories of showing are the times when people ask if they can pat my dog and I can comfortably say yes.  I remember one time at the Cape Cod shows when a small child was sitting on the ground eating his hotdog.  Vinnie calmly went over and washed his face in a half hearted attempt to grab some crumbs.  Vinnie is my "dog of a lifetime"; he continues to take my breath away. Watching him "work the crowd" at Westminster was a sight to behold.  He always looked for the camera and seemed to know where his light was best.  He is the quintessential ham.

Me: Who is your favorite German Shepherd dog of all time and why?

Dawn:  That is a hard question to answer.  Kizzy has given me the ride of a lifetime.  I never could have imagined having 6 Champions, competing at Westminster or finishing two of her progeny within one week of each other...those are feelings I will never, ever forget.  She was the beginning, my foundation...and I cannot imagine living without her.   Dallas has always had my heart since the day I met him.  His character was beyond reproach.  Not only was he physically beautiful outside, he was a true gentleman inside.  Together, they gave me the stuff dreams are made of.

Me: What are you most proud of in the breed today?

Dawn:  I have a very limited view here in my little corner of the world.  It appears that the males are looking more masculine; a pet peeve of mine.  People seem to be concentrating on temperament more and more. Without stability, you have a potentially loaded gun.

Me: How would you like to see the breed improved upon?

Dawn:  I would like to see people breed for the TOTAL dog and not just side gait...which is what appears to be the case.  What good is a fluid side gait on a GSD that is physically unappealing? Or worse yet, unstable?

Me:  What's the one thing about the breed that really bugs you?

Dawn:   Unstable temperaments and GSDs that are shaking ringside or tucking their tails in the ring.  I have had SO many people contact me attempting to place their dog who "only bit one time"... In my opinion, breeding a dog with an unstable, unpredictable temperament is unethical.

Me: Who have been some of the most influential people who have mentored or helped you in the breed?

Dawn:  First, it was Debbie Hokanen (sp).  We were taking Krunch#1 to handling class in Attleboro Mass (an hour each way to drive, two nights a week) and working hard to get him ready for the show ring.  We had joined one of the local regional clubs only to be told by "those who knew" that he "was a pet"..."far too large".. "didn’t have good pigment"...etc.  We were feeling very down when we ran into Deb and Sam at the handling class.  I told her of our encounter with "those who knew"...she responded with a resounding, "Do you believe in your dog?  Do you love your dog?  Then go and have fun with your dog and don't listen to anyone else"...Who knows what would have happened had she not offered those words of encouragement? There were many who offered advice and guidance along the way...Dallas's owners, Angela and Colin Howells, Sally Robbins and Billy Rossi, (our very first handler and the one who introduced us to the wonderful world of double handling) to name but a few.  I feel blessed to have had these people in my life.

Me: In your opinion, what needs to be done so we don't see so many German Shepherds in shelters?

Dawn:  As breeders, we need to insure that when we place a puppy, we do so with utmost concern.  Perhaps offering cash incentives for spay/neuter or obedience classes taken.  Sell your puppies on limited Registration.  Insist that the potential puppy buyer have a Puppy Kindergarten class set up before that pup leaves your hands and follow up with them to see how it is going.  Check to see if the trainer of that class has had experience with GSDs and if they use positive reinforcement methods of training.  Ask what their plans are for a puppy if they have to work and do not sell pups to people who work full time and who cannot afford either a dog walker or to send your puppy to doggy day care.  Puppies left alone are puppies that get into trouble.  Let your puppy buyer know by contractual obligation that you have the right of first refusal for the life of the dog; offer them back their purchase price if necessary...whatever it takes to get your dog back. Make it a habit to contact your puppy people at least once a year to see how they are doing.  Let them know you are in that dog’s life FOR its lifetime.  You breed it...you own it...until it dies.  You are the reason that puppy is here; it was by your choice.  Not your bitches, nor the dogs.  If you cannot take a puppy or dog back that you bred, assist the owner in re-homing the dog; up to and including the paying of boarding for him/her.   Educate people about (dare I say it) pet overpopulation.  If you can stop just one person from breeding the neighbors GSD Spike to their little Juliette, you may be eliminating a lifetime of misery for a puppy who did not ask to be brought into the world. Breeding should be left up to those who have ethics, can afford the financial cost and are breeding to improve the breed...not to get those few extra bucks for a new bauble or to entertain the children with "the miracle of birth."  I recently had someone ask me about breeding.  After reading my diatribe about the potential horrors of a whelping gone wrong and the resulting $3,500 vet bill, I got a quick reply..."you scared me straight"...I could not have been more pleased.  Most people do not consider the cost of an emergency c section at 2 am on a Sunday morning for their beloved family pet or the possibility of losing her in the process.  Try explaining THAT to the kids.

Me: What's your hope for the future in the breed?

Dawn:  I hope that ethical breeders continue to breed sound, stable, BEAUTIFUL German Shepherds who can be ambassadors for the breed in ANY situation.   Dogs with brains as well as brawn...dogs that are built to do the job they were bred for; either herding sheep or taking down a felon.  The German Shepherd is a dog that can do it all when bred correctly and properly socialized and trained.

Me: Is there anything that you haven't achieved in the breed that you still want to do?

Dawn:  Sure....win Westminster! lol...All kidding aside, I have achieved SO much more than I could have ever hoped for.  I followed my heart; it didn't lead me astray. I am truly blessed.

Me: What are three things that people don't know about you, but would be surprised if they did?

Dawn:  Probably that I am legally disabled for one...I have fibromyalgia syndrome and suffer from chronic migraines.  I have 6 kids and 8 grandchildren. I bear a striking resemblance to Shamu...or Quasimodo.

In 2008, Dawn was awarded the much deserved Presidents Award by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.  Whether she’s showing one of her beloved dogs or helping a forgotten or abused German Shepherd find its forever home, this is a woman whose heart is truly in the right place! The breed is better for having her in it!

Thank you Dawn for giving me permission to do this interview and to use your pictures for this article.

My rating:  Last Hope, Safe Haven:  (4), German Shepherd Dog rescues:  (4)