Shepherds to Love
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Visit the new Shepherds to Love Home Page and meet our very special German Shepherd Dogs.Where do our dogs come from?
Please view this video created by Chris Rescue Me! The dog featured near the end of the video is our very own Ranger.
IN LOVING MEMORY: ALMA
Our beautiful Alma was helped to the Bridge, hugged by her adoptive family, on August 6, 2007, a month short of a year after she was adopted in September 2006. Alma, our champion of courage, who won many-many battles with a smile, lost her final battle with cancer.
Alma was our sweet, beautiful girl whom we rescued from being gassed in the Pittsboro shelter in North Carolina. The shelter volunteers fell in love with her as did everyone who helped her along the transport to Baltimore. On her way to Baltimore Alma attended an adoption day at a PETCO and passed the test with flying colors. She enjoyed being petted by the many people that met her. She also enjoyed the company of children. She was very laid back and well behaved. We were told Alma was very sick and had fluid in the abdomen when our volunteer picked her up. Two days later X-rays revealed that the fluid in the abdomen were puppies. Alma, in addition to being very pregnant, was also very malnourished and heartworm positive. We worked hard to get her stronger by the time the puppies arrived.
Alma gave birth to 9 beautiful, healthy babies on St. Patrick's day. She was the best mom and took excellent care of them. She raised her puppies in the home of one of our volunteers. All Alma’s puppies were placed into wonderful homes. A year later, at the puppy reunion, we were so proud to see the young men and ladies Alma’s puppies became.
After the puppies were weaned, it was Alma’s turn to recover from all the burdens of many litters and neglect. Alma was treated for heartworm and then spayed so that she does not have to worry about raising puppies any more. She was to become someone’s cherished pet. However, there were new challenges on Alma’s path. Alma suddenly got sick and vomited for several days. Numerous tests and X-rays were done and were inconclusive: we were afraid we would lose her. Alma underwent surgery for bowel obstruction on May 18, 2006. Amazingly, only four weeks after the surgeryAlma was her old, perky, happy self. She gained 10lbs, and was feeling and looking great! She grew a shiny, new coat. Alma threw a birthday party for her boyfriend Zoebel who celebrated his eleventh birthday. The birthday party will be remembered for the yummy pizza dinner that Alma and Zoebel enjoyed. This was not the end of Alma’s challenges: she underwent surgery for an injury to her femur in September 2006. Two days after surgery, Alma, our champion of courage was her old happy and perky self, strong, healthy and pain-free. Two weeks later she joined her forever family that loved and cherished her during the past year.
Alma was a very lucky girl who had many rescue angels watching over her. Alma was grateful to Carrie who volunteers at the shelter and who alerted everybody about this good girl being in danger, got her out of the shelter and to the vet to get her ready for her long journey to safety. She sends kisses to volunteer Georgia who drove her all the way from NC to VA where we picked her up. Hugs and kisses go to Kris who helped with transport arrangements and with the expenses for X-rays and her tests at our vet. Special thanks go to Alma's friend Mary (and the students from Mary's school) who visited and brought goodies for Alma and babies. Kisses go to Kornelia for her care package for the babies and Lori for the X-pen for Alma's babies to play in. Hugs and sloppy kisses go to Vanessa and the kind people from the German Shepherd Rescue Board for their donations for Alma's care. And her love goes to Jan and her family, Mike, Andrea, Ania, and Jackie who helped care for her and her puppies. Alma promised to be a good girl and a good mom and worthy of the trust of her new friends.
Alma is loved and missed by her foster mom who helped her regain her strength and health and who opened her home to Alma when she needed it most. Alma has touched the hearts of many volunteers who helped her and her puppies on the road to happiness. We were not able to hug you good-bye Alma, but you were always in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and miss you beautiful girl and you’ll live forever in our hearts – until we meet you again at the Bridge.
