German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. |
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(GSRNE) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving German Shepherd Dogs in need. We rely on our fundraisers and donations to continue our work. |
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Greetings!
Happy October to each and every one of you! We hope everyone has been enjoying the end of summer and continues to have fun with friends, family, and dogs, finding enjoyable ways to be outdoors. The cooler days mean fun for both you and your dog, so grab your dog (or a friend's) and take time to enjoy all the fun outdoor activities.
This issue includes the Calendars for Sale, Auction Postponed, Change of Date - GSRNE Annual Auction, Happy Tails featuring Spirit, Adoption News of Zech and Rajah, Take Me Home presenting Rikka, and Volunteer Make a Difference.
Fondly,
E-newsletter staff
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The 2022 GSRNE Calendar
by: GSRNE Staff
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The 2022 GSRNE Calendar is filled with GORGEOUS shots of our GSRNE dogs! Buy one for you and all your friends too!
Keeping track of important dates on your calendar is easy when you can view 12 months of inspiring images that reflect your personal interests. Our high-quality calendar adds impact to any room.
Click on each thumbnail to see a larger picture (taken by our awesome photographers) then order one so you can help us help more dogs!
To order, please go to:
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Auction Postponed
by: Karen McCall, President
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It is with profound regret that we have to announce that our GSRNE Auction is postponed and will not take place on October 3rd. We were contacted by essential volunteers who would not feel safe working at or attending a group function at this time, and we share their concerns. We have secured a new date for the Auction, which is Sunday, April 24, 2022, at the same location of Springhill Suites in Peabody, MA, and we appreciate their understanding and support.
Thank you for all the amazing donations, which are now in safe keeping and ready to be presented next April. We did have the Tagging Party, where all donations were recorded, sorted and labeled, and the items for the Live Auction were each photographed. Each donor will receive a tax receipt, as usual, for donating the items this year; and we look forward to seeing you all in person at the Auction next year. Meanwhile, we are continuing to take in and place dogs in need of help and will be reaching out for ideas about other ways to raise the funds that this takes. Please keep checking our Website, Facebook and Instagram sites, as well as our monthly Newsletter for ways you can help!
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Save the Date: GSRNE Annual Auction
by: GSRNE Staff
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Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and additional circumstances beyond our control, GSRNE regrettably has to reschedule the 21st Annual Live Auction this year.
To all of our generous donors, you will receive your Thank-You and Tax Receipt for your 2021 Auction Donation before the end of this calendar year and the wonderful items you donated will be included in our Auction next year.
We will miss seeing you all this year! Our new auction date is Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Peabody, MA.
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Happy Tails: Spirit
by: GSRNE Staff
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Spirit was adopted by Gina and Chris in 2019 when she was about nine years old. Gina tells us they were looking for their first dog and decided that adopting a senior dog would be a good way to learn how to be dog people. They found Spirit on GSRNE’s Petfinder website and just kept going back to look at her “smile” and then decided to apply.
Spirit is doing really well for an older lady. She does physical therapy to strengthen up her back legs and Gina and Chris try to manage her pain and keep her happy. One of her favorite times of the day is snack time; she usually gets a Kong full of frozen treats and will happily work at it while Gina works from home.
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They also go on walks and Spirit spends a lot of time by the river at her “Spirit Spot”; she smiles there, even in the winter. All the neighbors love seeing her there, too. It is her favorite place to be, and she visits there every day.
She also loves trips to Rocky Woods, another favorite place to walk. She likes bubbles and when her legs were ok, she would chase and play at trying to catch them – she is a real treat to watch.
She also likes all the people she meets on trips to outdoor restaurants with Gina and Chris, and she never forgets the places she’s been. She is really enjoying these late years of her life with Gina and Chris!
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Adoption News: Zech and Rajah
by: Karen McCall, President
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Here's some good news on a rainy Sunday. Zechariah (Zech) has been adopted and is in his loving forever home! Maybe you've seen his photos and read his story on our Website, but it bears sharing here.
We first learned about Zech by a phone call to our Hotline in late May, just after he turned 11 years old. A niece of his owner called to ask if we could find a home for Zech because he had been living alone in her aunt's house for months after she had a fall on her porch. The niece told us that her aunt, 98 years old, had not been able to get up by herself, so Zech walked over to her and stood quietly next to her until she was able to use his back to pull herself off the floor and stand up. From the hospital, her aunt had to go to a nursing home, so the niece had been spending time with Zech every day to feed, walk and play. The enclosed porch had a dog door to a fenced pen, so he was able to go out at will. Once it was determined that her aunt would not be able to return home, the niece called GSRNE. During the evaluation by one of our volunteers, Zech proved to be polite, calm and tolerant of the temperament tests performed.
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One of our adopters, who has a senior female, had been asking for a senior male in hopes that their female, who used to live with a male GSD, would like having his company. We moved Zech there, but it turned out that the female was not all that interested in sharing her home, and after having lived for months, mostly on his own, Zech was not happy about having to go into a crate, nor was he interested in treats, Kongs, a Lickimat or playing. He was curious about the female GSD but didn't respect boundaries, so she was getting more upset; we had to move him to a boarding kennel where one of our volunteers could look after him.
We needed to have him checked by a veterinarian, who found that Zech had a UTI, a rash on his skin, needed his ears cleaned and needed some dental work. A good bath and grooming helped with the itching, and the rash started to clear up. Zech looked magnificent as he started feeling better and taking antibiotics to get rid of the UTI. After a while, he began trotting around in the training field and showing a real interest in playing with a variety of balls and other toys.
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Once we posted the photos and write-up about Zech on our Website, people began showing an interest in being his forever home. It was gratifying to see that we're not the only ones who have a soft spot for the dogs needing to start over in their senior years. We were drawn to a couple who have had German Shepherds and who prefer helping the older dogs. The wife is retired and home most of the time; their children are grown, and they have teenage grandchildren who visit. They do have a current dog, a female Terrier/Lab named Diamond who lived with their previous GSD, also a female. When the couple met Zech, who had been pretty aloof with most of us, he seemed to gravitate right to the husband. The two of them walked around the training field, and Zech perked up and trotted along, seeming to know something special was about to happen. He was polite to the wife, sat and accepted treats, but we could see that he might be a Daddy's boy.
The big question was how would Diamond react to Zech? We took a lot of time walking the two of them around, back and forth, allowing them quick sniffs. Diamond was wary, and Zech was just curious about her and seemed to want to get to know her better. The couple knew the importance of taking things slowly at home, keeping both dogs on leash or one crated when the other was loose. They took them for frequent walks together to help them get familiar with each other in a controlled situation. Now, two weeks later, we've been told that Diamond is learning that Zech is a permanent family member and has gotten more comfortable with him. For his part, Zech seems to like having another dog for additional company. His adopters have told us that Zech has a great personality, enjoys having attention and isn't going anywhere else… he's home! Zech is now officially GSRNE # 580.
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In late July, we were contacted by an ACO with whom we’ve had a close working relationship over the years. Her shelter had just received a nearly 4-month-old male German Shepherd puppy named Rajah, and they were looking for our help to find him a loving home. Rajah had been purchased at 8 weeks old at a pet store. Two months later, one of his owners died suddenly, and he was surrendered to the shelter as other family members were unable to care for him. We don’t often get puppies into our rescue as they are usually adopted quickly out of shelters.
This boy had had no training or much guidance and would easily become over-stimulated and mouthy, grabbing at anything in reach, including an arm or a leg. He was fast at everything, including eating, so his foster Mom used a slow-feeding bowl; this worked until he got impatient and flipped over the bowl so the last morsels would fall on the floor for him to vacuum up.
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Rajah loves water and can really entertain himself in a kiddie pool; when that hasn't been available, he would dig holes in the yard or race after balls to play fetch. With two older dogs in the foster home, Rajah learned what they would tolerate and what was going too far, which has really helped him learn some manners. We wanted to find him a forever home with another dog who could keep up with him and who already had some training, and we did have just the right approved adopter waiting.
Rajah’s new family includes a very friendly 1-year-old Giant Schnauzer female named Ripley, a happy-go-lucky girl who welcomed Rajah into her home immediately. They’re the best of friends who play together all day. We look forward to be sharing lots of future “happy tails” from Ripley and Rajah, who is GSRNE # 581!
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Take Me Home: Rikka
by: GSRNE Staff
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Rikka is a 7-year-old-female with the regal bearing we all love in the breed.
Rikka’s owners loved her very much. When they first contacted us about her, we received pictures of her on a ski trip and playing with her toys. She had all her basic training well learned. Her owners told us that they moved in with a family member when that person began to have medical issues. They brought Rikka with them and initially things went well. However, there was no physical fence at their new home and Rikka became protective of the boundary, running through the electric fence. Her owners put her on a runner, but she would bark at any passerby which concerned neighbors. Adding to the difficulty, one of her owners now worked over 3 hours away, and the other was not only taking care of the ill family member but also expecting twins. Rikka was not getting the attention or exercise she was accustomed to, and her family knew this was not fair for her. They asked us if we could find her a home where she’d be the apple of someone’s eye and get the mental and physical activity she was missing.
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The first thing our volunteers, who went to evaluate Rikka, noticed was how beautiful she was. She greeted them with a loud bark, then quickly ran to grab a toy to engage them in some play. While they were there, a neighbor with a male GSD came to visit and joined in the fun and both dogs played happily together. Rikka does have the high prey drive of a typical GSD and will chase squirrels and other small wildlife. Rikka lived with 2 cats, but her owners said she will definitely need time to adjust to any new cat. She can also be protective of her people, so an adopter will need to be mindful of that when introducing her to strangers. Rikka will need a family experienced with the breed that can manage her protective nature. We think she will do best in a home without little children.
Could Rikka be the loyal companion you are looking for?
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Volunteer - And Make a Difference
GSRNE Staff
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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill
-JOIN THE GSRNE FAMILY!-
We've always believed when you choose to dedicate your own time to help others, you feel capable and are rewarded with a sense of purpose. Becoming a GSRNE volunteer is a great way to meet other people who love helping dogs. Sure, we know that volunteering makes us feel good. Did you know that, when you volunteer, you are improving your life and maybe even your health? The truth is that volunteering will bring a world of rewards you might never have expected... Socially, the benefits of volunteering show up quickly and have long-term effects... So many of our volunteers have created wonderful friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
All dog rescue groups need volunteers to operate successfully, and German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. (GSRNE) is no exception! Volunteering a little bit of your time goes a long way in helping a needy German Shepherd. If you would like to learn more about our volunteer programs, go to: https://gsrne.org/gsrne-live/volunteer/
Events are fun for our volunteers and get us out into the public to share our stories and information about the Shepherd breed. If you are interested in helping out or want more information, check out the link below.
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For more information, Please contact
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In This Issue
- Calendars for Sale
- Auction cancelled
- Save The Date: GSRNE Annual Auction
- Happy Tails:Spirit
- Adoption News:Zech and Rajah
- Take Me Home:Rikka
- Volunteer and Make a Difference
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Love IS Adoptable!
Forever Homes Wanted!
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To see all the dogs available for adoption please check out Available Dogs
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We thank all Volunteers for being a part of our pack.
New Volunteers:
Tracey S.
Manchester, NH
Maria O. Walpole, MA
Monica R.
West Kingston, RI
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Donations For Our
Foster Dogs
Thank you to so many of you for helping our foster dogs by sending us several of our requested supplies on our Wish List.
Most items provided to our foster homes for the dogs' care and training are generous donations from people like you. There are many items on the list that we need, but currently, we especially need toys for our foster dogs.
Our Wish List has a link that will bring you to our continuously updated list of items that you can order through Amazon.com. We have now updated the list to show which items we need more by being listed first and/or showing the priority level.
If you would like to help, please visit our Web site and go to our Wish List tab or click on this link: Wish List
to view the items.
The shipping address is included on the Amazon Web site when you "check out". You will see a shipping address to choose called GSRNE Foster Dogs Wish List. The shipping address will be automatically added to your order once selected.
For privacy reasons, Amazon will not share your address with us unless you add it to a "Gift Card" during the Checkout Process. We never share your information with other organizations and will only use it for the purpose of acknowledging your generosity and providing you with a receipt for tax purposes.
Thank you for all you do to help our GSDs in need!
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Foster Homes Needed!!
If you love the breed and want to help, consider fostering. GSRNE pays all the expenses. You provide the love and care. We receive several hundred calls for help every year from Shelters and Owners looking to place a dog with GSRNE. We cannot help them all but we need Foster Homes to help those that we can. Some of our Foster Homes become so attached to their Foster Dog that they become the dog's Forever Home. We love every happy ending but that also means we need a new Foster Home for the next dog in need. To learn more about fostering, please visit www.gsrne.org/foster/
When you look at the wonderful dogs available for adoption and you read the Happy Tails in our Newsletter and online, remember that GSRNE was able to help these dogs because of our Foster Homes.
Fostering Basics
A fence is required. Dogs are at the greatest risk of escape when they are first introduced to a new location. Children living in the home need to be age 10 or older.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What does the foster home do?
You provide a safe and stable environment for the foster dog until he or she finds a forever home. You take care of your foster dog like you would your own dog - play, exercise, grooming and basic manners training. You also provide periodic reports to GSRNE about the dog's progress, personality, likes & dislikes so that GSRNE can find the right match for him or her.
2. How do I know if the foster dog will be a good fit for me and my family?
We work with you to determine what general type of dog will adapt to your household for a successful fostering experience for you & the rescue dog. We also provide strong support for you & help is only a phone call away.
3. How much does it cost to foster a GSD for GSRNE?
There is no cost to the foster home. GSRNE reimburses you for the foster dog's food and pays for all authorized vet care. In addition, GSRNE loans you a crate, feeding and water dishes, bedding, brushes, collars, leashes, & of course, toys!
You will find more information about our Foster Home Requirements at
If not you, who?
Please Foster
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If you can't adopt...FOSTER.
If you can't foster...DONATE,
VOLUNTEER, EDUCATE
& NETWORK. Tell your friends about GSRNE and fostering.
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FYI
Save The Date
GSRNE’s biggest fundraiser, our Auction, will be rescheduled to the spring of 2022 due to the fact that Covid is still hanging around!
Our new date is
April 24, 2022
Since the funds that we count on for the Auction are not available to us this year, we encourage anyone who has any new ideas for fundraisers to contact us so that we can keep on helping the loving dogs we take in!
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Looking for people to assist with Facebook posting. Assist our FB coordinator, Tina with timely posts and stories. Please send your name and email address to
volunteer@GSRNE.org. Also send a little about your involvement with GSRNE, experience in posting and why you are interested. Requires people dedicated and willing to work as a team member.
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Future/Ongoing Events
GSRNE is always looking for people who want to help develop events. If you would like to participate in one of our future or ongoing events, just check out our events tab on our website. If interested, please contact us and let GSRNE or Jeannie know if you can help.
Information Tables
Whether for a certain holiday or event, local stores all want information tables. If you want to participate or be an organizer of events, when our communities are free to open up again, let us know at
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If you like to shop on AMAZON as much as we do please consider choosing GSRNE - German Shepherd Rescue of New England as your charity.
By choosing 'GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE OF NEW ENGLAND' as your AmazonSmile charity you can help our homeless dogs. It's easy to sign up and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase amount to the rescue.
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German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc. (GSRNE) is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing veterinary care, evaluation & adoptive homes for the countless numbers of German Shepherd Dogs who are left in pounds to await uncertain fate, are owner surrenders (divorce, death, etc.), or are from abuse or neglect situations. We help provide a safe harbor for German Shepherd Dogs that might otherwise be destroyed.
For more information contact us at:
GSRNE, Inc.
PO Box 299
Wayland, MA 01778
24-hour hotline (978) 443-2202
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"The Shepherd's Watch" E-Newsletter Staff
Gina Dantuono / Design
Gail Van Hoesen /Editor
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