Dexter

[Weims]

He is going to his new home on Saturday, just in time for the bank holiday. The people work from home so somewone will be around for him.

I am so pleased for him.

I also had another home come onto me, they had a weim rescue from me 8 years ago and she has died aged 9 1/2 yrs. they work fromhome so are looking for a young dog... Margarita had a 5 mthold come onto rescue today so hopefully that will be another one into a good home.

Cant believe I have been doing rescue for nearly 10 years. Bout time I retired..... who wants to take over???

Lynn

[greyghost]

That's great news Lynn Why would we try and take over from you when you are doing such a fab job . Many congrats on 10 years btw.

When we rehomed Holly we used Bach Flower Remedy, Walnut, which is for the change in their lives. I also used Lavender air fresheners (not the sprays or plug ins). It has a calming effect on them.

[tasha]

Happy anniversary lynn... not sure you'll get many takers for your job its a thankless task and I don't know how you keep your patience at times

[Speeds]

Well done Lynn - 10 years is an achievement in any job but in this one - well special congratulations.

Belle just came in and made herself at home when I got her.

It was me that needed the stress relievers !

One thing it taught me was that the rescue dog is not always the one who gets stressed or OTT. Zola went ballistic - he fell in love so I had a new rescue and a case of infatuations from Zo.

[Weims]

Thanks everyone. Tasha I dont always keep my temper, once off the phone I can very annoyed by some people..... but on the phone I have to be polite, courteous, and helpful.

I took a call last night from someone who has taken one of our rescues. he was humping the lady at every opportunity so she rang the vet who told her to take him in to be castrated. I told her that he had only been there since saturday and he was stressed and that he didnt "fancy" her and that it would stop. Castrating him would not necessarily stop it anyway. I told her to cancel the op and let him settle in, I told her how to stop the humping and then in 6 months time if she wants him castrated to go ahead.... but the poor dog didnt need a new home, a new vet and castrating all within a week. Luckily she did take on board all I said and cancelled the op.

Lynn

[tasha]

does make you wonder doesn't it... maybe we should put together a paper pack of 'what to expect from your rescue' I'm sure some people have absolutely no idea at all and expect them to fit in perfectly into their routines.

[greyghost]

How can it be a thankless task Tasha? I nearly posted that too but after a bit of thought I decided that it must be very rewarding knowing that you have found homes for some many dogs who might have ended up in kennels forever or worse. And, anyway, you do so much for rescue yourself, surely it is not that thankless.

[sieglinde]

Lynn, I wondered if you have heard how Dexter has settled into his new home?

I admire anyone who so selflessly gives up their time in order to help so many dogs and people. I think Tasha is right - at times a thankless task, but Les is also right - very rewarding when it all comes together.
Well done Lynn on your achievement of 10 years of rescue!!!

[Weims]

Thank you. I didnt post to get thanks... but thank you anyway.

I am going to ring dexters new owners today, they were very taken with him, he was a good boy, although a bit mouthy, so I am hoping he has settled in OK.

Lynn

[Weims]

Just spoken to Dexters new owners, he is settling in fine. They had no issues in the car, he slept all night the first night, whined a little last night but settled after about 10 mins. They are very pleased with him.

Looks like he has found his forever home....... yipee

[greyghost]

Ditto - YIPeeeeeeeee

[mistymoo]

tasha said:

does make you wonder doesn't it... maybe we should put together a paper pack of 'what to expect from your rescue' I'm sure some people have absolutely no idea at all and expect them to fit in perfectly into their routines.

Although Misty is my 3rd rescue/rehome dog I think that a "pack" would be a good idea. None of my dogs have come from "official" rescue, just either came to stay and never left or I was asked to have them by owners who couldn't cope. Luckily I'm not easily phased and although Misty has the most "issues" we are coping fine.

Less experienced (that's not the right word) may have given up on her because most of what I was told was totally untrue. i.e house trained- she wasn't, was well loved - she had been beaten and is very scared, etc.,

I know that the official rescue people assess the dogs and potential new owners and can warn of what to expect but not all people come to own weimies this way. Think add traders etc.,

Does anybody think it would be a good idea to have an advice section on here about taking on a rescue and their special needs? and needing time to settle into new home etc.,?

[Weims]

Yes I do. We have sheets for rescue that we send out. Maybe I could post that if you wanted.

Lynn

[mistymoo]

Hi Weims, that would be great. I think some people who take on a rescue need to be aware that some advice given for training "ordinary" dogs just isn't suitable for some rescues. For example. "If dog is misbehaving exclude it from the room for a few minutes. "

Now this is imposible with Misty for 2 reasons. 1) she can open doors and 2) because she was left all day and confined in a small space it sends her into a huge panic and is not a mild punishment at all but something she is TERRIFIED of and makes her frantic clawing at the door to get it open. (in fact I would say she is claustrophbic) sp?

So after waffling on, what I am trying to say is that with a rescue, you have to read the dog and not the book, if that makes sense?

[greyghost]

If only we could all read out dogs as well as this person:

www.minimum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=447

[Cheryl]

Sounds a bit like my friend Cheryl's Maggie, the border collie. Cheryl does have sheep for Mags to herd, I told her Maggie is a working breed, needs to work or have a job...but she's so fearful. I don't understand the prescriptions...

[Weims]

Weimaraner Rescue Rehoming & Welfare Service
--------------------------------------------------

This has been produced to inform you as a potential owner of a rescue Weimaraner
just what you are letting yourself & your family in for & to hopefully encourage you
to take on the very rewarding challenge of owning a Weimaraner.

So what is the Grey Ghost?

W Wilful but sometimes willing to please
E Exceedingly loyal & sometimes possessive
I Immensely intelligent & incredibly stubborn
M Misses his owner dreadfully if left alone
A Accepts discipline readily with patience, but
R Rules the roost if allowed
A Adjust your lifestyle out of recognition
N Needs a stable & loving home environment
E Energetic exercise for mind & body essential
R Regards himself as being superior in every way

The weimaraner is a thinking creature proud dominant in nature with the ability to
quickly discover who in his family is to be respected & who can be treated with contempt
He is an excellent house dog & responds readily to intelligent handling. He can be infuriating
as sometimes he will wish to please you & sometimes he would rather please himself.
Weimaraners adapt easily to children if brought up with them but the Weimaraner
must be made to realise that as part of the family pack he ranks well below the children

As a breed his unique characteristics are difficult to describe , he has total devotion to his
owner & gone are the days of being able to visit the toilet by yourself . He can be cool
aloof & even snobbish towards strangers. He can be demanding, strong willed &
possessive & there is an absolute need to establish yourself as THE BOSS. Once this
is achieved he will become your devoted & responsive friend.

He can almost talk with his beautiful eyes & expression & will feel that he is absolutely
part of your family at all times & because of this when left alone for long periods of
time can become noisy or destructive & resentful

This breed is not a guard dog & should never be encouraged to do so, even though
he will have such an instinct. His physical requirements are a well fenced garden with free running
& disciplined exercise . Mentally he requires careful patient training consistently delivered
following the rules of your home not those he makes for himself.

Under exercised untrained & unoccupied is a potent recipe for disaster. Kitchens can
be redesigned furniture wrecked & gardens destroyed. You will not find this endearing
He is primarily a working gundog with strong instincts to hunt & retrieve. This part of
his character must never be forgotten & if you are unable to fulfil these needs ,
others must be substituted with regular training classes or such competitive spheres such as
Agility Working trials shows or gundog tests as organised by WCGB or other HPR
clubs. All will help to make your Weimaraner a well rounded well socialised & adaptable individual.

WHAT DOES HE NEED FROM YOU?
---------------------------------------------

A rescue dog has even more specialised needs than a puppy purchased from a reputable
breeder. He needs an infinite amount of time patience & understanding & will probably
need time to settle in with you. Until he gets his feet under the table he will probably be
on his best behaviour but this will not last. If he has any particular problems you will be told
about them & given guidance on how to deal with them. You have one sure advantage
he is in a strange environment & will not know what to expect. The rules & limitations you set
down will have more impact than at any other time. Be consistent firm but kind & let him know
exactly what is required. Be sure to let him know where he stands in the pecking order in
your family --- at the bottom

Take him to training classes & AVOID PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION Socialise him
extensively & encourage & praise him when he does well. Do not wind him up with
high squeaky voices Let the dog come to you. Quiet firm handling is vital THINK DOG
& learn to read the dog. It will be the first steps towards a long & happy relationship.

Everything about this beautiful creature is something of a challenge. He has such a 'get up &
go' & if you do not think two steps ahead 'get & gone ' is where he will be
He has a quick intelligence plenty of drive an abundance of energy a drive to hunt , a
streak of possessiveness & an exaggerated devotion which must be tempered to modern
day living. He is not the dog for Everyman & certainly not , nor should ever be
regarded as a commercial proposition. The rewards of taking him on are immense,
not least the knowledge that you are giving a home to a Weimaraner in need.

We hope this has whetted your appetite enough to encourage you to take the next
step towards offering a home to one of our unfortunates.

Phone Lynn on 01977 709134 if you would like a home visit.