Nella is the best dog ever! We had a few tense weeks where we weren’t quite sure that she was going to get along with the cat but after a few squirts with the water bottle and a few smacks from the cat, she and the cat are best buds (see the picture). Nella still has a huge prey drive but this doesn’t seem to apply to the cat. She has been to three obedience classes with the Dulles Gateway Obedience Club, right now she is enrolled in the subnovice/novice class. We are still working on keeping her attention during training but other than that she is a doing great. I am hoping that eventually we will be able to get her CD title. We have been looking into flyball – she still loves to chase that ball or anything else that gets thrown! Don got a old jeep in May and took the top off and Nella loves Jeep rides. Don was outside one day working on the car and had let Nella out front with him. She doesn’t run off, but we still try to keep one eye on her when she is out there off leash. He had lost track of her, started searching around and she had jumped in the Jeep and was sitting there waiting for a Jeep ride! We have only had one problem with her and my sister’s female dog. They got into a tussle over some groceries that I had put in the hallway. The scary part is that neither one of them was going to back down. So we know that she (and my sister’s dog) has some dominance issues and as long as we don’t have any toys or food, the two dogs get along fine. In a week, she is going to the Outer Banks with us on vacation. I think she is going to have the best time running down the beach chasing balls. She loves to be with either my husband or I and even as I write this email, she is laying on the floor in the room with me. We just keep asking ourselves why anyone would want to get rid of her. She is really a great dog, the best we could have ever asked for. So thank you for giving us the opportunity to bring her into our home and make her part of our pack.

Michelle and Don Morgan

Penny Myers

Berkeley County (WV) Reserve K-9 Unit

Just want to update you on Ozzy. We’ve had him 4 months as of today! He has settled in very nicely and is loved by the entire neighborhood. We recently completed our first 8 weeks of obedience and while he did very well, we will repeat the class. Focus is his main issue right now but he is doing so well. I couldn’t be prouder of him. Started taking him to a dog park with agility equipment which he absolutely loves and excels in. Am planning on enrolling him in agility this fall. Attached is a photo from last weekend. Anyway, we are forever grateful to VGSR for approving our application and allowing Ozzy into our lives. He has brought us so much happiness.

Thank you,

Laurel

We are the forever home of VGSR numbers 2418 (Sergeant) and 1873 (Max) and we couldn't be happier with our rescue dogs or with the care and support we have received from VGSR. Sergeant (now named Panzer) and Max (now named Blitzkrieg) are healthy and loved by our whole family. For anyone who is concerned about adopting a rescue dog, we can attest that most of your worries will be unfounded if you make a real commitment to the care of your dogs. Our dogs are handsome, smart, affectionate, protective, loyal, and well-behaved - they could give any pink-papered pup a run for it's money! Both of our dogs are the "valedictorians" of their respective obedience classes. Blitzkrieg even lets Mom know when the phone is ringing while she is listening to her IPOD while working out! Blitzkrieg and Panzer love going for walks, running at the dog park, cuddling on the "big" bed, and howling along with ambulance sirens. Blitzkrieg loves his squeaky toy and even a sniff of cheese. Panzer lives for ice cubes and his teddy bear. Neither one of them cares for catch or squirrels, but that's fine with us. Our biggest surprise has been the prejudice that some people seem to have against German Shepherds. Many vacation rentals and apartment complexes have breed restrictions against Shepherds. In our expereince, we have found German Shepherds to be great family dogs; gentle and loving, more like velcro than anything! They are extremely able companions and eager to please their humans.

Our family is grateful for the work of VGSR. From our first contact with a caseworker at an Adoption Event to picking our dogs up from Foster care, we have been impressed by the level of commitment VGSR has to each dog. I always said I wanted 2 boys, I just didn't think they would have so much fur. My boys are the heart of my home, thank you for saving their lives until I could fall in love with them.

Marie Keith

Hi everyone from me, Precious, used to be "Precious #5". Well, I'm number one now, anyway, at the Rossetti den. Well, where to do I start? Back in August of last year, my Forever Daddy-O came to my foster home at Glenda DeCosta's house. I came in and saw him, sniffed around, and gave him a couple of kisses and he kissed me back. I said "that's great, thats my Forever Daddy-O, and we left. Even Glenda said she liked him. As you can see, I'm on my balcony looking out...watching for the always clever terrorist squirrel, Abu A. McSquirrel. It's one of my favorte things to do. Daddy and I go for long walks, at least and hour each, twice a day, early in the morning and at night all the way up to Ft. Meyer and back. Daddy carries water for me and I love all the children I meet. I'm getting better with other dogs, too, espcially after the boring classes at "Best Behaved Dogs", "hated it..." It was funny. Anyway, as you can see, I was so good, I got my own stocking at Christmas and see, I got treats and nobody else did. Santa thinks I'm great. I even have my milk bone biscuit container with my picture on it. Speaking of which, all the time we're out, people ask if I'm from a "doggie show" or something, I said " I know, its hard being beautiful!". Anyway, also see here's a pic of me and Nicholas, Daddy-O's only son. He picked me out as #1 on the VGSR website when my Daddy applied to get me. We have a great time playing hide and seek and chase so Daddy never gets to sleep. Ah, what else, oh, I made friends while we were walking with a couple with a back yard and get to run there off my leash, its lots of fun. Tell everyone there that I thank them for taking care of me and also giving me to my Forever Daddy and his family. Each morning I get up I give Daddy-O kisses, and I love to lick the honey out of his coffee cup - it's lots of fun here and everyone loves me.

Kisses,

Precious

Before Prince, we had Tracker, a show-quality German Shepherd with impeccable manners. Everyone who ever met Tracker loved him. He was so easy to be around. However, last March, at the age of 13, Tracker was put down when his DM-racked body and his sad eyes said, "No more, please". My husband and I said we could never go through that again -- our grief was overwhelming. We live in a townhome, and I further rationalized my "no more dogs" decision by thinking how unfair it would be for a young dog to be cooped up in the house all day long while we were at work. Tracker was so quiet and sedentary -- he didn't seem to mind the time alone at home. After all, he wasn't really alone, he had my two cats to keep him company all day, and they all loved one another's company. And yet, I began to reconsider my decision when I read a newspaper story about dogs that are abandoned because owners lose interest, and dogs that have horrible living conditions. I figured, my townhome wasn't such a bad alternative to living outdoors on a chain with a broken down shack for protection from the elements. My townhome was filled with love and warmth, and there would never be a missed meal or veterinary appointment for any of my pets. Maybe a young dog wouldn't think it was so bad after all... and then came Prince! He changed our lives! The poor guy was aching for some love and proper care. He filled that void left by Tracker just by being grateful for the new life we have given him. He smiles ALL the time, and he has taken to townhome living in the same easy-going fashion as Tracker. Now settled into his new environment, Prince has demonstrated the same sweet attitude and playfulness toward my cats as Tracker had, too. While his training wasn't as perfect as Tracker's, he has been a quick study, and is very eager to please us. Prince came with us to Michigan for Thanksgiving at my brother's house, and he made me so proud with his gentle demeanor and mannerly behavior. I'm hoping that his presense in my brother's home might have been just the ticket for my brother to realize that he, too, needs to shed the grief over losing his best buddy a year ago -- a Doberman who was euthanized due to cancer -- and adopt another dog, as we did. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Prince might be the catalyst for another dog being rescued. My brother sure looked happy on the end of that leash!

MaryBeth Avedesian

We adopted Princess in June of this year. I first fell in love with a GSD I saw in the Fairfax Co. Shelter. I took my kids there to meet her and another family was there to adopt her. So, I then found your site on the internet and contacted you right away. Lea told me about Princess. The very next day my husband, son, and I went to the adoption day in Alexandria to meet Princess. I have to admit she was pretty sad looking, very skinny. But, I had already fallen in love with her and knew in my heart that she was ment for us. Before I even met her I took her picture from the web site and used it as my computer wallpaper! When I met her the next day I felt I already knew her. I fell in love with her that day. Lea came to our home the very next day and we kept Princess that night to see how things would go. We have had her ever since. She has gained weight and looks so good! She loves to play and take walks and loves to learn. She has done a training class at PetSmart (Fairlakes location) and we have her enrolled for another starting end of September. She does have trouble meeting other dogs, but we are working with her and she is getting better every day. We love her so much!! She has brought us a lot of joy and I think we have brought her joy, too, 'cause she seems to like her "forever home" here with us in Reston, VA. Thank-you for all you guys do for these dogs! Your love for them shows. Princess always gives Lea a very warm hello whenever we see her. Obviously Lea showed Princess a lot of love while she was fostering her!! Thank-you!!

Patti Schoenwetter & Family

Rafer/Matthew is still doing great.  We take a walk every day, and he and Molly just keep side by side and

have even started chasing each other around in the back yard.  I am really surprised at how grumpy Molly

has been with him, and how long it took her to thaw.  She isn't great all the time, she is still jealous of him,

but is getting better.  We even caught one of our cats sleeping next to him a couple of nights ago.  He is so

calm, and well-behaved, we feel  lucky to have him.  Thanks, Karen 

Dear Foster Mom,
 
It has been a month since you found me my new home with the Madison's. I thought I would give you a progress report

in case you were wondering how I was doing. Just as you thought, I have charmed these people in turning over their house and lives to me.

Since a picture says a thousand words I have attached a picture of me in all of my splendor taken just the other day. When you dropped me off I was ten weeks old and weighed 13 pounds. Now at 14 weeks I weigh 23 pounds. Obviously I am being fed.

I get lots of exercise in my new back yard but my favorite thing to do is to go for walks with my new mom and dad in the neighborhood. Usually I go for walks two or three times a day in a neighborhood full of interesting people, kids other dogs and wildlife. In my own backyard I have had several frisbee sessions interrupted by birds, squirrels and bunnies. I tried to catch them just to carry on a conversation but they seemed in a hurry to leave. They are not very social. 

Mom and Dad spend time working on my manners. As you know I am a world class sitter. (By the way, Thanks for teaching me how. It often comes in handy). I now like to shake hands and give kisses both are a hit with the ladies of all ages.

I have my own doggie door ,which means I don't have to wait for any one when I have to do my business. Did you know people actually encourage you to do your business outside and there are so many more places to go. I have found I prefer to do my business outside more than inside. Outside provides more interesting and exotic places. Going inside is so yesterday. I can't beliveve there was a time I did my business inside like a human. In my defense I was young.

I also have my own crate. I really love it. It is a great place to unwind, get away from humans or calm down when they don't let me chew on them or the furniture . Humans can be too bossy sometimes and I find a crate provides me the perfect place for me time or a great nap.

Well I have to go now there are people to charm, places to walk and treats to earn. I just wanted to thank you for finding me this great place with a wonderful mom and a tall dad who thinks he is the Alpha male. I'm working hard on educating him otherwise.

Seriously mom, thank you for rescuing me, caring for me, training me and finding me this great home. You helped make me the puppy I am today.

Love

Ranger Madison

(Formerly Kapono)

Um...hi. Sorry I'm still a shy guy. I'm the small horse formally known as Odin. Dad named me Remington, though. I was a first year rescue! I came from a nasty, abusive home with my brother and sister, and was rescued at only 5 months old! A wonderful woman named Charlie took me and my family into her home. My brother went to a policeman, my sister to another great family (I get to see her at reunions!), and I got my forever home, too!

I was really shy at my adoption day and wanted no part of any of the scary sounds. My mom and dad-to-be came up to me, though, with their dog, Ciara. I thought she looked kinda funny (she says she's a Lab and her ears are normal), so I sniffed her. Then I nuzzled Dad to tell him I wanted to go home with Ciara. Mom says I picked them, it was meant to be, blah, blah. Dad just smelled like Milk Bones, that's all.

I'm now a big, oversized 90 pound Red Sable, dynamo of lovin'. I could be bigger but I need to maintain my girlish figure since I have mild hip dysplasia. I take my pills, though, and outrun and outswim all takers...or try to.

Strider's a liar. I'm the favorite...I just let him think he is.

I love car rides, too...and HIKING! But...I'm scared of bikes, so no mountain biking for me, thanks. In fact...I'm still scared of lots of things despite Mom and Dad's best efforts to get me over my fears. I'm really good with women, and I LOVE kids. New guys tend to make me nervous, though. But if they like dogs...I give 'em a fair chance.

Mom's yelling that I'm drooling too much on the keyboard, so I gotta go.

Thanks everyone! Miss you, Charlie!

My name is Renny Bleu Hockensmith Jr. Sometimes I'm known as Renstifers, Whinywhinerson, Pooperpooperson, ScatchyScratcherson, LovyLoverson, LazyLazerson (I used to be called Ranger # 2) and a few more depending on what mischief I happened to get into on that particular day. I absolutely love it here. I have a wonderful loving home! One of my biggest problems anymore is deciding which toy to play with. There are so many to choose from (not to mention all those stuffed animals that belong to Mom and Dad that I'm not really supposed to be playing with, but sometimes do anyway). Dad and Mom say they are proud of me. I've been going to class for a good while now and am learning a lot of good stuff! My teacher once told me I was the best in the class, but I overheard Dad telling Mom that I was the only dog in the class, so I guess that makes me the one that gets into the most trouble, too... oh well. It's great where we live, there's so much to do. There are so many squirrels in the backyard. They drive me NUTS!!! They are always out back walking around right in front of the door. One of these days I'm going to learn how to open up the back door (like I can open up the door to where the trash is) so I can go out and play with my friends. They look so yummy... I mean nice. Besides the squirrels there is a dog park and three other parks within 3-4 miles from where we live. One is right down the street. Let's see what else can I say... Oh, I love to get in the car to go places, but then once we start going somewhere I whine... actually to be honest with you, I tend to whine a lot. But who's keeping track? I want in the car, then I want out, then I want in and... well you get the picture. Hmmm, oh I like to sleep a lot to. Dad and Mom laugh at me sometimes cause when I go missing I'm usually laying in OUR bed taking a nap. I get rather tired from the tough life I lead. Mom keeps telling me that I need to get a job to "earn my keep" around here. She says that I never pay for my food or my toys or anything. She says "You're lucky you're a LOVE buddy." whatever that means. Well I'd love to write more... but I'm kinda tired. Writing all that took a lot out of me. Talk to you later.

Love,

Renny

It's been only 3 1/2 days as I write this - but you'd think he has always been here. He has fit in so well (into our home & hearts!). Everyone of us loves him to death. (My husband Steve has especially bonded with him - guess it's a 'guy thing'.) He & Ouija (our female) are pal'ing around now & one hardly goes anywhere without the other. Well, you know the first night & next day were a bit of a Bark & Snarl Fest, but I was surprised at how quickly they settled in to accept each other (nothing like seeing two big Shepherds going at it, fangs bared - but just talking it over - no one hurt- they figured it out pretty fast.) Then wooo-wooo-woo0! - they said & made Peace! They now give each other kisses - Already!, and are looking out for each other - too darned cute! Their pesonalities really complement each other - he barks at other dogs - she shies away from other dogs, she barks at strange people, however & he is everyones friend! (kind of like Yin & Yang ! ha*ha ). His manners in the house are 'perfect'!! We never have to worry about - well - anything! He listens so well & always comes when called. I am hoping some of his good manners will rub off on Ms. Ouija! He likes to sleep in bed with us (& Ouija doesn't even mind this) - so I am sleeping with 2 guys now! ha*ha . Something funny - Sat. I ran the little vacuum that I have, kind of like a dust buster - to get up the many & ever-present hairs - well Rex,' barked at it, chased & attacked it' off & on the whole time! It was so funny to see! Ian & I were cracking-up! He doesn't mind the regular bigger one, but had to kill the 'alien' dust buster! So funny & cute ! He'll get used to it. He has such a great personality ! So smart, sweet & funny! He has taken up the right side of the table during meals, Ouija watches the left. They are both lying here as I write. They remind me of 'book ends'. When you come home he will always bring you something to welcome you at the door, a shoe or toy. Today when Ian came home from school & I was upstairs, Rex brought Ian's shoe up to me, like to say -' Hey, the boys down there, here's his shoe! I always thank him! I am also loving the way he goes all the way to the back of the yard in the trees to do his business as Ouija preferes to do hers right next to the deck. (pooper-scooper on ready!) Well I could go on & on.... I will keep you updated, for surely there will be many more wonderful stories to tell! We cannot thank you enough for helping us find our special guy! (and the kindness of the Marjares family for fostering him with such love). I have been taking pictures like crazy, so will email you some as soon as I finish the roll. Again Thank You! ( and those 2 words don't even seem to say enough). Not only is Rex beautiful - his personality & manners are 'the best'. He is even better than we could have hoped for -we feel so lucky- if you could wish for the perfect dog - our boy Rex is it!!

With Love ~ Gina, Steve, Sean, Ian , and "Ouija & Rex" Bristow

Well, it's almost been a year now. We picked Rex up the day before Thanksgiving last year, so I thought you'd like a quick update on our adopted boy. We don't see you at the dog park anymore because the park was contributing to his aggression, and as our trainer put it, was a lot like taking a child to Chuckee Cheese and wondering why they were all wired up! We did some intense training with Cultured Canine, and while there was war of the wills for a time, Rex has now accepted that we are in charge and he is not. He heels beautifully and knows "place" when guests come to the house. For a time, it was hard to be affectionate with him because he thought that put him back in charge, but now is a very sweet and loving boy who understands the rules. Lisa felt that Rex was one of those rare Shepherds who really should have been a police dog. He's so darned smart that even when it seems he's not doing what you ask, it turns out it's totally logical and he's just trying to out-think us or the situation. Fortunately, he has great instincts. A few weeks ago our new neighbor who has Alzheimers wandered into our condo in the dark, and while I was screaming at the top of my lungs, Rex was only circling me protectively because he had met the man and recognized that he meant no harm. (I was thinking that he wasn't much help at all with intruders!) While there were times when I wasn't sure Rex had the best intentions towards our kitty, he now behaves like a devilish big brother. Occasionally, he just can't resist pinning her to the floor with one paw on the back and acting like he's not doing a thing! We're so happy we made the decision to add Rex to our family. Hope the rescue organization's work is continuing successfully and that you are doing well. Thanks again for helping us find a great dog!

Cheryl

Hey Amy. I was going to shoot you an email this week to give you an update. So far he has been really good. No accidents in the house and he seems to be getting used to my schedule. He has been sleeping in the bedroom with me at night and seems to be fine all night. I have changed my schedule to get up an hour earlier than normal so I can take him out for a good long walk before I have to go to work and he goes in the crate. He does have loads of energy! I was a little worried at first for a while because he wasn’t eating much and he wasn’t going to the bathroom, but I guess that was just new home jitters. He is eating more now and is getting in a better routine. We went to the Park on Sunday and he had a blast! He behaves really well in the house so far and seems to be eager to learn. I have him scheduled to go to my Vet on Wednesday to get him checked out so I can get his Heartguard pills and Frontline. I think I am going to keep his name Rex, he seems to respond well to it and it’s a good name. I’ll keep you posted on his progress but so far so good, he’s a great dog!

Mike East

Hello Mike and Sally, and the rest at Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, it's me, Rodman. I just wanted

to let everyone know that I am very happy with my new mom and dad. I have been with them for 10 months

now and really feel part of the family, they even took me on vacation with them all the way up to Michigan

 and Indiana.... that was fun. Here are some pictures of me that my mom took while I was playing with my

football while on vacation. I think I played a little to rough though, because it broke and they had to throw

 it out. But that's ok because I got more toys to replace it.  My mom and dad said I did really good on the

12 hr car ride there and back. I even got to meet my cousin Molly, who's a black lab, while we were on

vacation, we had so much fun running and playing in her backyard. I also have allot of fun when they take

me to get a bath, it's funny when I get them all wet when I shake in the tub. They also take me for walks at

Mt Trashmore, which usually tire me out, so when I get home I take a nap on one of my beds.  I'm still not

a big fan of my crate, but I'm getting better especially since I'm not in very often. But I just want to say Hi

to everyone and to let you all know that I couldn't have picked a better forever home.