One of our Lucky Dogs

<img src="http://www.gsdrescue.org.nz/lucky-dogs/tessa_after.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.gsdrescue.org.nz/lucky-dogs/tessa_before.jpg" alt=" - " />

The Spence family found the German Shepherd Rescue Trust by accident through the Internet. We then rang and spoke to Denise, asked her if it was possible to get a rescue dog! This all happened around the end of September 2003, by early October we got an email from Denise, which read: Here is a photo of the pup. He is just adorable. Lovely nature. Vet checked out okay apart from a bite or puncture wound on his front right elbow for which he has antibiotics. Estimated age 12 weeks. He has no adult teeth yet. They fed him on dog roll at the pound and said he has a touch of diarrhoea but also on meds for that. Skin good, coat good. Met a cat today and got biffed so now has a healthy respect. Home check report in and you have passed.
Let me know what you think? We promptly email Denise back saying yes we would take him. After seeing a picture of our sweet wee puppy we looked at names and this is what we all decided on: Tyr ((Pronounced TEER) is a spirit who walks around a world of fog in the midst of a battle. With a quick trip up to Christchurch to meet our first wee boy. Over the following month’s Tyr grew into a healthy young boy from 12.5 kg to 40.5 kg plus! Tyr has bonded with the family well but mostly towards me! Everywhere I go Tyr wouldn’t be far behind.

Then in November 2004 my husband Andrew said that he wouldn’t mind getting a long coat female. I had been watching the German Shepherd Rescue notice board and the web site. We came across photos of Tessa on Sunday 14th November; she looked so sad and neglected. I called out to Andrew to come and have a look at her. I printed off the pictures. Then contacted Denise that day to see if we could bring her down here! Tessa was sadly rehomed somewhere up North. After that we watched and waited to hear updates on Tessa. Then our wish came true, Denise contacted us to see if we still wanted Tessa. Her trial adoption had been ceased as there was too many cats for her. The expense of getting Tessa down to Timaru was significant but Denise organised raffles at the German Shepherd Rescue Trust's annual BBQ donating all proceeds to Tessa's flight. Through the good will of addition kind donations from people who had rescue dogs, even one as far away as Canada who had sent previously to Denise the collar worn by her precious boy Thunder’s who had recently passed away, asking Denise to use it for one of the rescue dogs. This collar was very important to Denise and she had kept it for a really special dog, which unbeknown to me at the time, was given to Tessa who I can assure you will wear this with pride for the rest of her life.

So on the 9th December I drove up to Christchurch and then catching a flight to Auckland the first stage of Tessa’s new life. I was so humbled to met Denise, Liz & Twinkles (Emma) Meeting Tessa was so amazing, and she looks better than the pictures.
The flight back to Christchurch was so quick, then back to my parked car. Tessa and I had two toilet stops and drinks for Tessa also a leg stretch for both us. Everyone was at home waiting for us to arrive home. My husband made many calls to my cell phone during the whole day to see how things were going? Tessa and Tyr first meeting went better than I expected. They have bonded very well. Since the 9th December both of our babies have played, slept and shared food together. Everyone that has met Tessa understands what a special dog she is.

Tyr was the first German Shepherd Rescue dog to come to the South Island and Tessa, She is my shadow when I am home sitting or lying down not to far
away from me. At night she sleeps in her bed on Andy's side of the bed and Tyr is in his usual spot on my side. She has found our bed quite cool but she knows when I appear in the room she jumps into her bed for the night. Tessa has truly found her home, a place for her to be happy and loved. If it were not for The German Shepherd Rescue Trust and their true devotion to the care of German Shepherds in need, Tessa would not be here today. Denise's continuing enquiries regarding Tessa's background, based on her tattoo, showed that her date of birth was the 18th November 1996. The day Denise walked her out of the pound door, the day she would otherwise have been put to sleep, was the 18th November 2004.

Ok so now there are tears in my eyes. Mind you I was in the mood for a bawl anyways. It was the dates that got me.
From someone that contributed in some small way to help to get that gorgeus lady to you. Its fantasic to hear how she is getting on. I met her at the "dogs Christmas party" and I think I along with a lot of other people recognised what a special lady she was and that is why we all did what we could to get her to her "forever home".
She truely deserves the very best that life can give her and I think she has fallen on all four paws with her family.
Well done and keep the pics rolling in.

Kate and Shelby
Auckland

Good on you for taking on an older dog!! We have just recently taken on an 8/9/?-yr-old Boxer that no-one else wanted because of his age (through Boxer Rescue). They're the ones that have missed out - he's a real water baby and he gets on extremely well with our nearly-10-yr-old Boxer bitch - he's such a hard-case fellow and we love him to bits, as I know you do Tessa. I hope you have a good few years of love with her!

We are so happy that Tessa has found a wonderful home, and we follow her life through your posts on the rescue list.

Thank you so much for welcoming the collar worn by my Thunder, he was a special dog, just as Tess is, and I am honored that Denise chose Tess to wear his collar.

You can see Thunder's website here.
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/siriusb/

Michelle, Ame & Diesel
Canada