After just a couple of hours in my new foster home, I became very spunky and playful. Guess I was starting to feel at home:
Baron was in foster care for 3 months. He failed 3 adoption attempts because he was a very difficult dog to handle and borderline aggressive. We will never know what past experiences molded him into the dog he was but we decided he could potentially be a dangerous dog and had him euthanized. It was a terribly hard decision because for the most part, Baron was a good boy. But there were many other dogs dying in shelters while Baron lingered in foster care and because of his issies, he was deemed unadoptable.
Baron's Story:
It was June 24, 2000, either late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, I am not sure which. My owner came to get me and put me in the car. I thought it was a little odd but shoot, you know us dogs, we'll go for a ride no matter what time of day or night. Off we went in the dark. Finally we stopped at a deserted road. I was taken out of the car and tied to a post. My owner got back into the car and drove off. OK, so maybe he had something to attend to. I'm sure he will be back for me any minute now....
The sun came up and there I was, still tied to the post. It was very hot and humid. Suddenly, a large white van pulled up. A man got out and untied me and tried to get me to step into the van. I didn't know this stranger and I planted my feet - no more rides for this guy! So the man tied my leash to his bumper and drove up the road very slowly so I could follow. I was then put into a cage. Wait a minute - this isn't my home! But later in the day some people from the Friends of Linden Animal Shelter came along and took me out of the cage and walked me. Every time somebody reached out with their hand to pet me, I would duck away and think, "Please don't hit me!" But nobody ever did hit me - they were very kind.
I have really become comfortable in my foster home. I stay in a crate at night and I don't cry while I am in it. I find it to be a very secure place. During the day I am out in the yard and I usually lay in the shade on or under the deck. My foster mom throws a ball for me and I love to run and catch it and bring it back. Well, so I won't give it back to her but she always finds another one to throw.
I have been learning some basic obedience. I have now learned how to heel and can walk beautifully on a leash. I know how to sit but I did't always do so when told but I have learned that I must sit the first time my foster mom tells me to and every time I am told to. I am getting the hang of it!
I went to an adoption day at a shopping center and loved all of the attention from people walking by - men, women and children. I was very personable and friendly. I would say I like men the best. Every time a man would walk by I'd look at him hoping he would pet me.
I was finally introduced to one of the resident dogs in the foster home, a Doberman Pinscher named Elliot. Elliot and I are only allowed to play for about 1/2 hour at a time because Elliot is 7 years old and I tend to wear him out. But it is fun while we do play and I get along great with him. Actually, I think that if I had a choice, I would prefer to live in a forever home where there is another large dog I can play with. It sure does help me burn off that German Shepherd energy! You know what they say, "A tired dog is a good dog"!
Did I mention how much I like riding in the car?