HAPPY NEW YEAR

A big welcome to the first Newsletter of 2005. Thanks to NewZealandNZ Ltd for their overwhelming support in providing The German Shepherd Rescue Trust with this fabulous new website and being so incredibly generous with their time in getting it all up and running so quickly. Everything about the site is fantastic as I am sure you will all agree.

Danny & Rachael, on behalf of all the rescue dogs in New Zealand an enormous THANK YOU.

The first 6 weeks of the New Year is already proving to be a busy one with 17 rehomings, a muddy evening spent in the mudflats hauling a 7 months GSD to safety and two emergency uplifts. The condition some of these dogs that come into care is heartbreaking. A recent event involving a dog in terrible condition whose owners were trying to auction her off to the highest bidder has shown just how many caring people there are out there. No way was this particular dog going to be let go without the $$ being handed over. At this time of year money is tight for most people but collectively many people came together and despite our 'horror' of giving in to the owner, the dog's welfare was our utmost concern. In less than 24 hours the money was raised and the dog in need collected and placed in a caring foster home which has become her permanent home.

It will take time for her to get used to a different way of life, learn that she is allowed indoors and can now eat her meal without being attached to a chain. Life will be different now.

On what happened to be one of the worse nights Auckland has seen in a long time, when most 'sane' people were safely inside with the fire going, despite it being December, where was myself and one of our most supportive helpers. Knee deep in the TeAtatu mudflats battling hail, wind and rain to get one terrified puppy back to shore who had been frightened by the thunder and rain. It was just too tempting to escape when a large gust of wind blew open the means to get away from the noise. Several days later both Suzanne & I were presented with a Tshirt from the grateful owner so I can now say, 'been there, done that and have the T-Shirt to prove it". A follow up visit to see how the adventure had affected the dog showed a much cleane,r happier dog who now seems velcroed to his owner.

Sales of our Rescue Dog Calendar have been great. If you have not ordered one yet, best be quick. Due to popular demand (never thought I would be saying that) we had to do another minimum run so we have approximately 20 calendars left so order now to avoid disappointment.

Our adoptive parent chat group is proving very successful.. If you are an adoptive parent and have not joined up you will find the link to the Yahoo Discussion Group on the Message Board area. The chat group is restricted to families with adoptive dogs and foster parents as a problem solving area, a chance to brag about the new addition and to share photos of progress. The Message Board is for everyone interested in helping the GSD in need, ask questions about the breed, or share stories of your own GSD, whether or not it is a rescue dog. It is nice to hear about the lives of much loved Shepherds that will never come into our care.

It can also be used as an area if GSD's are lost. It is surprising just how much notice you take of other Shepherds once you own one yourself. I can never let a GSD walk past without having a good look and admire the beauty of the breed.

Our major need is foster homes and transport people. We rehome dogs all over NZ now and getting them from A to B can prove an expensive operation. To have a network of drivers spread throughout the North & South Island would be just fantastic. The idea is to co-ordinate all those people and link them into a rescue chain. If any of our readers would like to offer their services please email our transport co-ordinator Diana, tinylittlecritters@hotmail.com and she will add you to our small list of volunteers.

To each and every one of you, a very Happy New Year. I appreciate your Feedback more than you know. If you feel there is any way I can improve on things don't be afraid to speak up as that is how things get better.

So here is to yet another year of finding homes for those GSD's in need.

<small>[ February 04, 2005, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: Buddy ]</small>