Rescue....What It Is All About

Valley of the Sun Giant Schnauzer Rescue took in two young giants from a family in Northern CA that very unexpectedly lost their owner.  The father died and the wife was too frail to care for two young very large energetic giants who are very bonded to each other.  I think Jed is the younger one and Chelsea rules the roost.  The family requested that they be placed together if at all possible. 

VSGSR was originally going to place Jed and Chelsea in a home here in Phoenix.  Even though it appeared to be  perfect in the beginning, things started making us suspicious that it wasn't quite what it appeared to be.  So we didn't place them there and put them back up on Petfinder.  We were inundated with emails  from all over the country from  people offering to come here and/or fly them everywhere but one application really stood out.  It was an app from a couple in their 50's who  have had several giants over the years.  Just talking to them on the phone, the warmth and caring came through.  We found another rescue, National Mill Dog Rescue,  that we know well in Colorado Springs to do the home visit last weekend.  When the email came back saying  that the lady's husband who did the home visit had asked if they would adopt him, we thought that was a pretty good sign.  In the email follow up, she said she would adopt any dog she fostered to them and if she ever  had to give up any of her personal dogs, she would love for them to go this couple. We didn't know until this morning that this couple also helps 4-5 young people who are often at their home and must help them on the ranch.  He said he loves helping them and will see them through until after high school, but he is not sending them to college.  ;-)) The couple doing the home visit met most of these kids.  And we thought they were wonderful even before we knew this!

So we approved and yesterday they drove from Colorado Springs to Phoenix.  This morning we met them and they met Jed and Chelsea.  To say it was love at first sight is an understatement.  Jed and Chelsea love them and the new owners loved them in return.  They brought their 8 year old standard poodle with them and he loves them also.  Jed and Chelsea went out to the car where their dog beds were placed along with the kongs that came with them.  They jumped in and had no desire to get out.  In fact they had to be made to get out so we could finish the paperwork..  Jed loves them both.  His tail never quit wagging. This was a major concern because Jed doesn't love just anybody.  The adopters have trained their giants in obedience before and were talking about agility for Jed possibly since Jed demonstrated his jumping skills. He leaps over the front  counter at Deer Creek Animal Hospital and this morning he leapt with grace onto the examining table.

Jed and Chelsea are going to live on a 160 acre ranch outside Colorado Springs where they will have three acres fence  just for them to run in.  The couple has 15 horses of their own and many more that they board.  They have several barns  and Jed and Chelsea will learn to go with them as they care for the property and other things they are involved in and run.  They will be the working dogs they were born to be. and will probably end up on their websites. 

We have learned in the last couple of months that Chelsea is hypothyroid and is now  on medication for it.  She was retested and the amount she is on is just right for her.  We also learned that she doesn't always let Jed eat and that Jed backs away from his food so they were fed separately.  It made a huge difference in Jed's personality.  This morning he was coming up from hugs constantly from me and others which is so different than when I first met him.  I think just about everyone who met those two has fallen in love with them. So from a very sad reason that they had to come to us, they are going to a truly loving home together.

Few adoptions have touched us all as deeply as this one has.  We wanted the two to stay together and to have a good home.  They won the jackpot with this home! I believe their first  dad must have had his hand in this adoption. The adopters commented that Jed and Chelsea had a party to send them off, and there will be an even bigger party for them when they get to their new home.  There are at least 12 people awaiting their arrival.  Talk about getting spoiled.  They are meeting the new groomer on Friday just so they know who she is and she is very excited waiting to meet them.

This was  such a touching opportunity for VSGSR.  It  was, is, and will be. I care deeply about all the dogs that come into our rescue, but this one really touched my heart as I know it did Ron's, who was there with me.  Several of the staff also made the same comment.

I was amazed watching their new owner with both of them.  He said something to them and they obeyed!  His wife said he is that way with all of their animals.  He had them both sitting on command by the time they left.  And Jed loves and adores the man.

Thank you to Dr. Suzanne Higgins  and Deer Creek Animal Hospital for working with them and for all she does for all of our giants and other dogs we take into rescue!  She is awesome! It took many people along with Dr. Higgins to get these dogs here and work with them to find a new home.  National Mill Dog Rescue did the home visit for us and several of our members helped with the transport to get them here. A big thanks to all who help in any way in rescue every day.  It can't be done without the help of lots of people.  All of our dogs go to very loving and caring homes, but this story just seemed to tug at our hearts more than normal.