Fingers Crossed

Special Appeal for George

Gorgeous George.

WAGS Member Rachel has opened her home up to foster abandoned GSDs. She works closely with the Southern Counties German Shepherd Dog Rescue (SCGSDR) in Linwood and regularly does home-checks for them, as well as offering to take fosters when she can.

Her first two GSD rescues were Henry and George (both are GSD/Collie X). Henry is still with Rachel, but George had to go back to kennels in Southampton (arranged by SCGSDR) because he found it too stressful in a household of four dogs. It was a huge wrench for Rachel to let George go back but, apart from Henry and George, Rachel already had two very large GSDs – Molly and Joe.

George and Henry

It was also a huge wrench for George who misses his companion Henry. No one knows if they are brothers but it is assumed they were raised together. George and Henry were abandoned in West Bromwich in April and taken to the Pound in Walsall. After two months they were offered a rescue space with Southern Counties German Shepherd Dog Rescue.

Nothing is known about their history, but it is believed that they are 7 or 8 years old and both dogs are wonderfully friendly and affectionate.

Since returning to the kennels George was diagnosed with a perineal hernia and had to have very expensive surgery. His vet’s fees have now surpassed £2,200 and Southern Counties German Shepherd Dog Rescue are struggling to pay the bills.

Alison, founder member of SCGSDR, explains, “He had an enormous lump on his rear end and so we took him immediately to the vet. The diagnosis was that he had a perineal hernia with retroflex of the bladder. The upshot is that we either had to decide to have George put to sleep or allow the vet to operate. Well you have guessed it - we didn't think he deserved to die just because he was 8, and so he had the surgery.”

At present, George is still at the vet’s recovering from the surgery that took place on July 17. On leaving there, he will need some time to convalesce. But, soon after, he really needs and deserves a home where he can ‘belong’. He simply wants to be part of a family and be included in everything. With his sweet and affectionate nature, he has a lot to offer someone.

The pictures say it all!

Rachel agrees, saying, “George is a friendly affectionate dog who wants nothing in life but to be loved and petted and cared for. George would be the perfect dog for a household with no other pets where he could get undivided attention. George is a very special dog who really doesn't deserve the life he has had recently.”

Abandoned, kennelled, losing his best buddy and undergoing major surgery with all the pain and stress...it’s more than one little 23kg dog should have to handle – and yet, he remains a sweet natured and friendly little chap. George needs someone to give him a forever home where he can spend his remaining years in comfort and security.

As Rachel says, we'll keep our "fingers crossed" for George.