MY FRIEND GLADWYN! This is How We Met...

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

So let me just say that I feel PRIVILEDGED to be able to help Rescue Gladwyn. It was and will not be me alone to get this boy where he needs to be but here is my part of the story. I was a bit nervous about my first rescue but have found it to be an experience unlike any other.

So this poor boy, was found stray, living with a basset hound roaming around middle Michigan, which is pretty rural. As soon as they brought him out to me at the shelter he was waggin his tail and rubbin against my legs. He jumped right in the back of the car and sat down, he was obviously ready to go. Gladwyn rested, not slept, most of the 2.5 hour drive home. We stopped once and he did his potty and was very good with one stranger that approached. I had a divider gate between the front seat and the rear back and during the second hour he came up close enough so I could reach him and give him some petting, in return he gave me nice kisses.

He was extremely matted and dirty and was infested with fleas. It was my intention to give him a good scissor cut to get the worst of it and then give him a bath. I have never done doggie haircuts before, but he gave me his paw as if to say it's okay, I want you too. He then lay in my lap and started falling asleep while I cut through the mats and the burrs. His hair was so badly matted though at times I could not tell where the skin ended and the fur started. So I called our vet and they were able to get him right in to get shaved. While there, he made a ton of friends, you should have heard all the girls oogling over him ! Although a little shy, he is a very FRIENDLY, well socialized dog. He wanted to meet everyone there including the furry kind!

He quickly learned and was responding to his name Gladwyn, of which he was named by fellow DKrs. He knows sit, down, stay, walk on a leash. And he knows Tricks! Paw & High 5!! Whoever his family was are definitely LOSERS, even if he did just get separated from them somehow, they must be missing him dearly. But more likely, someone abandoned him. Whoever his family will be are WINNERS, he definitely knows how to love and be a good boy.

Rosey & Bandit took to him too. After the initial meeting at the park, helped by our dog sitter, they quickly bonded and were running and wrestling all thru the house. It was a nice evening, watching them all play, he rested too, which he seemed to be really grateful for. God only knows the last time he had been in a secure, quiet place with a soft blanket to lay on.

The next day the kids watched him and he was great for them. After work, I drove him to Ohio to meet his permanent foster, Sue. He again was a gem in the car, I gave him a marrow bone to chew on and from time to time he would sit up and gaze out the windows, probably wondering where he was going next on his journey. Once we got there, I was trying to be strong for him. I didn’t want him to think he was being abandoned. As I was walking him around trying to get him to do some business, he started being really playful on his leash. Then he just sat down and I squatted next to him and he just put both paws on me and gave me a hug. That’s when I cried and could start again now just remembering the feeling of him showing his love. I knew I had to let him begin the next chapter, so we finished things up, and said our goodbye’s. As I headed home I knew that I had been changed forever by this experience.

Being my first rescue, it was a bit overwhelming but Gladwyn helped me through it. I am so excited this wonderful boy has another chance at a wonderful life. Not even 2 years old this boy has seen a lot, met some good folk, and probably some not so good. He’s well on his way now. Thank you all at DK and DRC for the help & support you gave me and Gladwyn this past week. And DoodleKisses to you Gladwyn, I hope I get to see you again my friend.

[Kathy Janes]

I'd read this before, but when my Discussion "Doodle owners helping doodles" let Karen and Jack to point it out again I came back to reread.  It is such a touching story, so sweet, and so typical of the bond quickly built between the shelter dog and his first rescuer.  It's a heart forever changed for the better.  The never ending story of how dogs teach us of unconditional love, and a story of immense gratitude.  Thank you, Suzann, for putting these words and pictures here on DK for all of us to share.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Oh yes, this boy made me cry.. just the not knowing how someone could lose such a perfect species;)  But he is where he was supposed to be all along now!!  I still hope to see him again!!

[Kathy Janes]

Fun to read this again.  He looks so much like our Mater.  I'm afraid had we fostered him we'd have become "foster failures" in a heartbeat! 

[Christine & Shelby]

Such a touching story... made me tear up! What a cutie!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

For those of you following Gladwyn, he also had his surgery last Thursday. He is doing fine and continuing to be the wonderdog he is. DKs to you Gladwyn, we miss you!!

[Kathy Spyker]

What a lucky boy to have people like you to help care for him and to help him have another chance for a good life.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a beautiful boy. Thank you for being part of the solution.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Thanks so much for pulling Gladwyn and getting him to his long term foster mom. He looks and sounds like he is a wonderful dog.

[Anna and Achilles]

Thank you, how lucky Gladwyn is.

[shelly]

Every day this week I have read thru' your posts, and eah day I can NOT believe the woman you are! You are a strong, loving, caring (and can't leave out - funny) person..... "Ms. Suzann" !!!