Dog World features archive - September 2011

Cruelty is often on our own doorstep by Geraldine Cove-Print. This article feature in Dogworld September 2011

I’m grateful to Allison Clarke of German Shepherd Dog Rescue for sending me the uplifting story of Ruby Roo. On the 13th of August GSDR took a call from a very distressed lady who had been trying to catch a young GSD that had been roaming an area around the M1 for several months. This lady had contacted the local dog warden and the RSPCA but no help was forthcoming.

Allison and her husband Dave borrowed a purpose made fox trap and although they feared the trap might be too low and the skittish bitch might be too scared to enter they baited it with yummy tripe sticks coated in salmon mouse! As Allison approached the trap the next morning as dawn crept over the landscape she could see that they had trapped something, as they drew closer they could see a bewildered GSD in the bottom of the cage, Ruby Roo was captured.

Dave and Ruby

Although Ruby Roo looked almost glad to be caught Allison was taking no chances, they loaded her up into their vehicle still in the crate and when they arrived home they attached a run to the outside before letting her out.

Allison takes up the story: “We left her alone to chill and I let out my two boarders and my own six Shepherds, she took all the meetings in her stride, she was still in her run at this point.

“She has a fantastic temperament and by the evening we were handling her like she had been here forever”.

The following weeks have been a steep learning curve for Ruby Roo, she’s learned to trust and is off the lead and responding to commands, she’s also learned to play with a pack of friendly, well socialised Shepherds. I have a feeling Ruby Roo will have no trouble finding a great home. I love to share these stories of when volunteers put themselves out for the sake of a dog and there is a happy ending, rescue isn’t always about anxiety and failure but anyone who has worked in rescue knows how precious these good news stories are.

Ruby and friends

This is Ruby Roo having fun in her foster home with her new friends. The sandpit is a big favourite with all of the dogs.

Donations are all ways welcome

Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Donations can be sent to Jayne Shenstone, German Shepherd Rescue Little Vauld, Marden Hereford HR1 3HA. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Thankyou.