Claire and I would like to thank everyone for their fantastic messages of support, offers of advice - we are still missing our furry buddy very much - and we have now been offered another GSD (9month old male) from a breeder in Taranaki, Whitehawk kennels. On paper he looks awesome, good hip and elbow scores and his photos are just beautiful.
We know that he will never replace kohl, but we are hoping that "Napoleon" (might just have to change that!) will choose us to be his humans and join our family.
Any advice on settling him into his new home would be cool.
Keep up the great work Denise & co....if we can ever be of assistance in the Hawkes Bay area we will do all we can to help!!!!

I think you're very brave considering another fur baby now. Kinda deja vu - 9mth old male! Has he been in a home/family situation before (i.e. how come he's still with a breeder at 9mths?) Foster parents would have better advice about settling him in but the love and care we know you will offer will go a long way to making it successful.

Hi Alex and Claire, Like ColCol said ask all the questions. This really helps with getting to know your dog before he is even with you (this is something foster homes don't always get the lux of so make the most of it)

I'm a foster mum and also Denise gave us the pleasure of adopting a beauitful older male.

My Recipe that has worked so well for me:

Entree:
Don't rush introductions take the time all new things are scary even to us humans. Lots of reassuring to start with if he shys away or become anxious about something move on and reintroduce later don't push the issue at the start.

Main:
Establish a workable routine from day one. Be consistent with commands/disclipine/habits/sleeping areas etc. Be prepared for set backs but stick to the routine and remain consistent while keeping an open mind we don't live our lives from a text book and he won't either work together to get the results (ask different people also for ideas as we all have different success stories) so you are all happy within the boundries. Then after all the effort!

Dessert. (my favourite)

Lots of sloppy dog kisses, excitement in their eyes when they see you and yours when you see them. Enjoyment and a bond that never disappears even at the end. Eternal joy and love.

Now that you are totally full and probably won't eat at my resturant again lol! Go love that boy. We were so sorry to hear about Kohl but he will be dancing and prancing with many other special dogs at the bridge.

Dee & Hunza(#543)

Dee, that is a fantastic post. I love your recipe.

It also gives our readers an insight into the quality of care our foster dogs receive.

Alex & Claire. When I lost Yani I never thought in a million years that within 3 weeks I would be taking on another GSD. I could not imagine doing that at all but when this 8 month old long coat girl who had spent her entire life underneath a house with not even enough height to stand up I fostered her while waiting to get a new home for her. Well that fostering lasted just over 2 years when she was struck with lymphatic cancer and died shortly after her 3rd birthday.
I always seem to get dogs that have serious conditions. Currently I have a nearly 6 year old male with metal plates holding his back end together, a 3 year old deaf GSD and my most recent adorable, lovable 2 year old girl who has the same condition Yani had.
I often wonder 'why me' then I look at the love in the eye's of my 'special need's dogs' and I know why. I amy never be rich with all the medical expenses involved with their various medical problems but the wealth of love I get each and every day from them is immeasurable. As they say, dogs are not my whole life, but they make my life whole.
Kohl had a problem you were not aware of and his passing has come at a time when another GSD needed a home. Think of it as Kohl showing you the pleasure involved in owning this magnificant breed, leaving such an impression on you that you need to fill the gap not only in your home but also in your heart. Kohl will be part of you always no matter how many other dogs come to share your home. Try not to be sad that he has gone but be happy that he was here, albeit it briefly, to have shared a time in your life.

Denise I think that it's probably not that you always get the dogs with these conditions. I think that these dogs come to you because they need you, you are the right person to love and look after them so that they are the happiest they could ever be for the rest of their lives.

Like you said you'll never be rich with all the money you spend on these wonderful dogs, but you are probably a happier and more loving person than any millionaire with your fur babies by your side

Alex & Claire I can see another Denise in the making

Hi Alex and Claire

I got my first GSD at 10 years old. Came from a family that were not really dog lovers, but I was from the day I was born. From there got married, bla bla and now onto GSD number 5. We mostly had 2 together and when lost the last one 6.5 years ago we 'tried' to go dog free but only lasted 3 weeks. After all the ups and downs of life, I was never so miserable as to be without that 'friend' in my life. Didn't want to be home because he wasn't there, didn't want to go out because he wasn't there to come along. You can never replace them, same as people, but you just bring another special soul into your life. Good luck with your new friend. Denise, you brought tears into my eyes, and yes they certainly are a specil and magnificent breed.

Kohl gave us so much joy, and "cured" our youngest daughters fear of dogs, with his infectious puppy-ness and unconditional love. We know that Kohl was bought to us for a reason, we still mourn his passing and not a moment goes by when I wish I heard him thundering around the deck to the door....but we know that he has gone to a better place - we hope that our new fur buddy will accept us as unconditionally.
We drive to New Plymouth tommorrow night and all going well will have him home with us Saturday afternoon, we'll post a photo and stuff then!

Sigh! You'll love (name?) Napolean just the same but in a different way (if you know what I mean). We waited 3 months after our gorgeous Kala Jane died - and in a million years I would never have believed I'd move into getting another dog 'so soon'. I was an absolute wreck (Murray wasn't much better) but Shelby was breaking my heart seeing this vibrant little girl alone. Long story short, bringing Molly home was the best medicine for me - all of us but me especially. I don't know how long I would have mourned for Kala if Molly hadn't arrived. The bonding took a wee while with Molly - it wasn't instant - but boy - you try to shake it now and see how solid we are!

ColCol how true those words are. When my Harley died I thought my life ended as well. He was my soul mate, he was also Jessie's forever mate as well. She was losing her will to live so I got Jayke just 1month after losing Harley & I couldn't bond with him. I got him to help Jessie but sadly it didn't I lost her 4months to the day after losing Harley. Jayke did everything he could to get my attention & love, it took me 6weeks before I could admit that I did love him but not in the same way & that Harley wasn't coming back. It took over a year for my heart to start to mend & even now never a day goes by without me thinking of him. I have Jayke, Sheba & Chloe filling my life now but Harley is still with me as well.

Wow, what a night,our newest member took awhile to settle into his new routine with us.He was a show dog and when we picked him up yesterday we found him to be really skinny.He is nothing at all like our beautiful big boy kohl,for one he is fluffy and completely different to look at, but gorgeous none the less.
But he is a gentle spirit, a little skittery and anxious - but I think just can't believe that he has a lot more freedom and love.
He was kept at the breeders along with 6 other dogs in small kennels and runs with little free play time, now he is the only big fur-baby on the scene, so I think it will take him a little while to get used to it - and us.
He needs to have a bath today and a good brush - as soon as we've cleaned him up we'll post a photo!!!

We decided to name him "Mack" - rolls off the tongue a little easier than Napoleon!

Poor boy - then - but now..... can't wait to see the photos! You might need to crate him initially (maybe just at night) until he feels secure - then again he might just relish the freedom.

He will take time to settle in, hes gone from having all these other dogs to no dogs as company. He also probally hasn't had much human company not he has. ColCol is right he would probally feel more secure if he had a crate to sleep in at night, his own personal space. Look forward to seeing a pic of him.

Take the settling in period slowly Alex & Claire, let him be the one the do the approaching. As he has been mostly kenneled he will be very unsure of life outside. Make sure you are all consistent with the way life is going to be, give him good leadership signs so that he defers to your better judgement rather than confuse him and have him end up making decisions for himself (they usually get it all wrong anyway lol). Be confident around new situations that he seems skitterish of as the soft cuddly approach is really only reinforcing the way he is reacting to the situation is good because it gets cuddles. Divert their attention, confidently inspect the 'problem'. Thunderstorms and rain on roof send my GSD into a quivering mess so whe thunderstorms come it is out with the ball and game time. Takes her mind completely off the thunder. Hopefully it will get to the point where thunder happens she then brings me the ball. We live in hope.

we took our new baby out for a walk,he was awesome,no pulling on the lead and going nuts at other dogs.he is really doing well and has accepted us as his new family.the girls were outside with him this morning and didn't get nipped or pushed over,it was lovely to see.we introduced "mack" to our three month old son and there was no problems.we have been really blessed with our new furbie.


Claire&Alex

Have added a pic of our fur-baby....could only do it as an attachment tho!

Look at that big sad old face - he's a big boy for 9 months. I see what you mean by fluffy - was this before or fater the bath!?!

before his bath...........he's a big teddy bear,he jumps up and wraps his paws around his new dads shoulders and snuggles .......it's gorgeous to see.Kohl was a monster in size in comparison to Mac.

Oh he is GEORGOUS and huge already! What a lovely big baby what a lovely face he has!

Hi everyone, I'm pleased to say Mac has settled in like he was part of our family from the beginning.He is a real honey....our other balls of fluff,tank ,squeak and tigger didn't think much of him,but all is well and they have accepted the fact that they need to be faster or a little ,more cunning when venturing beyond the girls beds.Mac has been so sheltered in his former home that he wasn't sure what to do about our cats, he now ignores them. Mac has become Alex's shadow and Alex is pleased to have another buddy around,we still miss Kohl but know that he is in a much better place now and we know that we have been really blessed with Mac coming into our lives and our home.It's really wonderful to see our girls go up to him without the fear of being nipped or knocked over,they give him big cuddles before they leave in the morning and when they come home after school they all play together outside.Hope all is well with you all. Claire& Alex....

He's just lovely you guys