©Harry Giglio

The Process: For an adoption packet please E-mail your name, telephone number, POSTAL ADDRESS and request to weimRSQ@aol.com. The adoption packet includes an important application which helps rescue coordinators match dogs with appropriate homes. All perspective homes must complete an adoption packet

Living with Rescue Weimaraners
by Sheila Cook

We were first introduced to this wonderful breed back in 1987 when we shared our lives with Amber, who emigrated with us to the USA from the United Kingdom and in 1990 we adopted Lady, another weimaraner, who suffered from generalized demodecosis and hypothyroidism, but tremendous personality. Then, in 1996 Amber died very unexpectedly from bloat and Lady was most distraught and lonely without her. We decided to adopt another weimaraner to help her and us, through the loss and loneliness. We met with Beverly Myer, who was relocating from OK to PA and had two brothers, Toby and Jack, whom she rescued from a humane society the day before they were going to be euthanized. When we met Toby and Jack were both still pitifully thin. They had been almost starved to death by their previous owner and obviously deprived of human companionship. I always will remember thinking how odd Toby looked; his head seemed so huge compared to his thin body. Jackie looked liked a skeleton with fur, but kept showering us with hugs and canine kisses. At the time we could only manage two dogs, so it was very difficult to choose between the brothers, but we picked Toby, even though it broke my heart to leave Jackie. But I honestly believed that he might not make it, he was so thin. I underestimated this little guy’s amazing determination and will power! Six months later, Jackie was still up for adoption, since Beverly was most particular in vetting who he was going to own. We contacted her and drove to the PA border to reunite the brothers. I am certain the boys recognized each other. Jackie licked our faces, sent-marked my T-shirt, and promptly hopped into the car. Needless to say we didn’t stop on the way home. Jackie almost immediately showed us his talent for escaping – he climbed the 6-ft chain link fence of their dog run and greeted us at the front of the house! Sunday & Monday were spent roofing their run! Alas, a dog’s life always seems to go by all too quickly and Lady passed away from cancer in 1999. The two boys really missed her, so once again, having thoroughly gotten used to three weimaraners, we contacted Becky who told us about Sadie. Supposedly she could not be trained, messed in the house and obviously was starved of attention and love. We drove with the boys, to meet Becky and Don, and returned with three weimaraners. I knew Sadie was going to be “trouble” right from the start. She is very boisterous, vocal and demonstrative. She plays really roughly, chasing, pouncing and generally beating up on the boys. It still amazes me how each of our three rescues never hesitated about getting into a vehicle with strangers; it is as if they knew their lives were changing for the better - I know ours certainly did.

Rescue weimaraners are truly special. It is so rewarding to see the amazing progress they make, the incredible bonds that form, the trust they show and their devotion. Obedience classes are a must for both the weimaraner and the owner’s sanity. I was so proud when Toby finally gained his CDX. Toby was always a little reserved and shy at shows and for him it was a great achievement. Jackie was the opposite, extroverted and far too interested in what was going on around him, giving hugs and kisses to the judges (he never realized that it didn’t get him extra points). With Jackie, sits and downs were always nerve racking, willing him not to move - the longest 1 and 3 minutes in my life. Sadie also has gained her CD, even though she was apprehensive of the judges. Now she is excelling in Agility, which hopefully will increase her confidence, plus it is so much more fun for both dog and handler. She loves to jump and has a blast at class, squealing with delight when we arrive. I have never known a breed to compare to them. Sometimes I don’t even think they are canine and I cannot imagine life without them. Enough from me let the kids tell you about themselves!

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Hi, I am Toby and, yes, I am top dog. I am a creature of habit and like my routine – we live in the “Toby Time Zone” and I expect my breakfast at 6.00am every morning, even weekends, though I do let mum and dad go back to bed afterwards. One of my first memories of my adopted home, was going to a park, where for the first time in ages I could really run. I ran so hard I fell down, but got up and just kept running! It was a great feeling. I excelled in my obedience training and loved school and my teacher. However, dog shows were always a bit stressful, especially in Open where there were so many things to remember. But, the best part was when I got something called a “leg” and I got to choose a toy at the trade stands. My favorite was a striped snake that I don’t think my mum liked. I insisted and kept going back to that box, pulling it out until my mum finally relented and bought it for me. Plus I would always get a special dinner that night, something called “steak” and it didn’t come out of a can! In the evenings, I love to relax on the sofa after a run around our land and a good meal. Late this summer, mum and dad took us swimming at a “human” pool to raise money for local off-leash dog parks. At first it was scary, but I found out I could swim and ended up having fun! Recently, I was bitten on my nose by a brown recluse spider. NOT nice, but loved all the extra attention I got and I am now fully recovered!

Hi I am Jackie and I love people, even veterinarians. My favorite thing is hunting, especially “moling” and egg hunts in the spring when I search every tree for nests! I stand on my hind legs and use my front paws to part the branches and have taught Sadie the same technique. She is much taller and can reach higher up, so we make a great team! Sadie and I also enjoy playing and we constantly talk in high-pitched squeals to each other while lying on our backs. I love to bark and look at myself in mirrors and although I am small, I BIG in personality and really cute - everyone succumbs to my charm. I like waking up my dad by whacking him on his head with my paws and at night, I enjoy getting my belly rubbed! I am the ultimate escape artist, a fearless explorer! I laugh at normal fencing and can squeeze through a 6” gap with ease. Mum and dad had to string wire between the planks in an attempt to keep me in, but it does not deter me from trying. Now they make me wear a flashing light on my collar to track me at night! The day at the swimming pool was awesome – running around and playing with all the cute little dogs totally wore me out and my tongue ended up down at my paws!

Hi, I am Sadie and I let Toby think he is still in charge, but “girls rule.” I love my new home as I get all the attention I deserve, plus I adore the boys, especially Jackie, who has taught me all there is to know about hunting. I follow my mum around everywhere that she goes and when she is asleep, I very, very slowly, with one paw at a time creep up onto their bed and snuggle into her side. I am fascinated by toads (non-poisonous in KY) - I love making them jump, even though they make me froth at the mouth and taste awful, I just can’t resist. This year, on our hiking vacation in TN, I got bitten by a Copperhead snake and required veterinary treatment. After that I was wary of sticks, because sometimes they can look like snakes and I avoided rocks that smelled of snake whenever I came across them on the trails. I really enjoyed the river and spent a lot of time “fishing” with my head completely under the water - way cool! In the evenings we would all crash on the sofa after a hearty dinner. The best part of being rescued is finding place where you are loved; cared for and appreciated; where there is room to run, hunt and play plus a warm comfy sofa to lie down on at night. On behalf of weimaraners everywhere, I’d like to thank everyone concerned with rescue for doing such a wonderful job. It is a shame that we cannot find the loving families we deserve right from when we are puppies.

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