A Howling Thank You to Joe and Karrie Fonseca of Vallejo for Rescuing "Pepper"

"Pepper" was a 10-mos old purebred black GSD whose life would have been truly tragic had not Joe and Karrie Fonseca gone out on a limb and saved him. Joe & Karrie's neighbors had purchased Pepper as a puppy and didn't know what they were getting into. As Pepper grew and became more and more energetic, the petite woman next door became afraid of him. The neighbors ended up keeping Pepper in a crate, rarely letting him out other than to eat and relieve himself. The Fonsecas were bothered by Pepper's isolation, and also justifiably concerned that Pepper's confinement would adversely affect his growth. 

The Fonsecas approached their neighbors and offered to exercise Pepper and give him some time outside his crate. The neighbors agreed, and soon the Fonsecas were walking Pepper daily. 

The Fonsecas convinced their neighbors to let GSRSV find Pepper a new home, and in on April 23 brought him all the way out from Vallejo to my place in Pleasant Grove for me to evaluate him. Along the way, they convinced their neighbor to let Pepper stay on a long lead rather than in the crate, and had the neighbors bring him to a clinic for his vaccinations.

As time went on, the Fonsecas grew very fond of Pepper, and couldn't bear to even return him to their neighbors' yard to put him back on the lead. Though the Fonseca's yard is not that big, and though they have several indoor cats that Pepper clearly would go after given the chance, they went ahead and brought him into their yard full time. They had Pepper neutered at their expense, and even purchased a chain link kennel to keep him in at night. 

On July 13, Seth Heesy of North Lake Tahoe adopted Pepper. The Fonsecas sent Pepper (now named Logan) off with well over $200 worth of food, supplements, toys and bedding. Logan is now living a dream life of hiking, swimming, and going most everywhere with his new owner in the mountains.

Many people, especially those with cats, would have been afraid to take on a "project" like Pepper. The Fonsecas not only had the fortitude to work with their neighbors, but were willing to give Pepper a temporary home to build his muscles back up, in spite of the fact that he did not get along with their cats.

Both Seth and I are just amazed at how much the Fonsecas did to turn Pepper's life around, and are truly grateful to them. 

From Miserable.....

Sac County Shelter 
ID #536889, 11-20-10

to Magnificent!

"Jager", Mendocino Coast, 1-22-11
Adopted from GSRSV by Lisa Underwood, 1-16-11

The Friendship Circle 
of Zelda and Her Pups

Read about how the rescue of a GSD (Zelda) and her five puppies in 2001 led to an annual get-together for three of the adopting families and the rescuer. (Click on title above.)

RUFUS ADOPTED 1-08-08--
Thanks, Bob Warner!

Talk about a big heart!

"Rufus", a 9-yr old male GSD living at GSRSV's rescue facility since 2006, was diagnosed with bone cancer on 10-2-07. Other than some soreness in his left rear leg with the cancer, Rufus was still very healthy. However, I knew Rufus would benefit from a home where he would receive more one-on-one attention than I could provide him. 

Though the odds of anyone adopting a 9-yr old dog with possibly terminal cancer were slim, I ran a special adoption appeal for Rufus. Bob Warner, from rural Plumas County, responded to the appeal, met Rufus on Dec. 21, and adopted him on Jan. 9. On top of that, he gave a donation to GSRSV! Yes, there are big-hearted people out there. Thanks, Bob! 

Click for larger image.

That's GSRSV dog Hank (right, adopted 9-29-06) driving GSRSV dog Miss Shasta (left, adopted 5-27-05). Submitted by Tom Guerra, October '07.

Click for larger image.

GSRSV dogs Diesel (center) & Wendy (right), both adopted , 2-25-07, with Sugar (left). Submitted by Fred & Angela Lauridsen of Pollock Pines. Taken at Sly Park Reservoir, Summer '07.