Yes. After months of procrastination, research into breeds, deliberation over whether to get a puppy (aahh) or an older dog, today I reserved a beautiful 5yr old German Shepherd *****!
Today, I took my kids (well, 22 and 18yr old) to the RSPCA "just to look and maybe get a better idea of what I am looking for. No, we will not choose one today so don't get excited kids". Hmmmm. We spent ages looking at all the sad little faces - it was heartbreaking - but I kept coming back to a GSD called Crystal (gonna change that - sounds like a porn star!). She looked gorgeous and her 'profile' said she was "calm, gentle, affectionate, fine with strangers/other dogs and could be left for up to 4 hours."
We asked the staff for more details and they all said she was a really lovely dog, so we took her for a long walk and just got to know her. She was exactly as the profile had described and more! She was fairly good on the lead, tugged a bit, but when I corrected her she instantly looked up at me and came to heel. This will need work but not a lot.
We have now reserved her, subject to the home visit, and will take her home in 12 days (after a stupid Sales Conference I have to attend on the 18th - 20th and can't get out of). They are happy for us to pick her up the day after I get back on the Friday.
I am sooooooooooooo excited. I have had dogs before, but not a GSD. But I have ALWAYS wanted one. My Grandparents had them so I was around them as I was growing up.
Only downside is my boyfriend, who thinks I am daft getting an older dog - "all the trouble of a dog without the fun of a puppy" - he said. We don't live together, but we have been a couple for over 6 years. He is not a dog-lover and he just doesn't 'get it' that I feel a void without a dog in my life.
Ah well, not going to let that spoil my enjoyment.
I would love to hear from anyone who owns/has owned a GSD. Any tips/advice you would like to pass on?
But please, all rejoice with me that I am soon to get a new addition to my life
Today, I took my kids (well, 22 and 18yr old) to the RSPCA "just to look and maybe get a better idea of what I am looking for. No, we will not choose one today so don't get excited kids". Hmmmm. We spent ages looking at all the sad little faces - it was heartbreaking - but I kept coming back to a GSD called Crystal (gonna change that - sounds like a porn star!). She looked gorgeous and her 'profile' said she was "calm, gentle, affectionate, fine with strangers/other dogs and could be left for up to 4 hours."
We asked the staff for more details and they all said she was a really lovely dog, so we took her for a long walk and just got to know her. She was exactly as the profile had described and more! She was fairly good on the lead, tugged a bit, but when I corrected her she instantly looked up at me and came to heel. This will need work but not a lot.
We have now reserved her, subject to the home visit, and will take her home in 12 days (after a stupid Sales Conference I have to attend on the 18th - 20th and can't get out of). They are happy for us to pick her up the day after I get back on the Friday.
I am sooooooooooooo excited. I have had dogs before, but not a GSD. But I have ALWAYS wanted one. My Grandparents had them so I was around them as I was growing up.
Only downside is my boyfriend, who thinks I am daft getting an older dog - "all the trouble of a dog without the fun of a puppy" - he said. We don't live together, but we have been a couple for over 6 years. He is not a dog-lover and he just doesn't 'get it' that I feel a void without a dog in my life.
Ah well, not going to let that spoil my enjoyment.
I would love to hear from anyone who owns/has owned a GSD. Any tips/advice you would like to pass on?
But please, all rejoice with me that I am soon to get a new addition to my life