Coastal German Shepherd Rescue

The adoption process is never easy even if it is to adopt a dog. Actually, my husband said it would have been easier to adopt a real child. I’m not even sure why we needed another dog in the house. Life was perfect; easy, predictable, calm. The last of the kids had only been out of the house less than a month when my husband who isn’t even a true “dog person” decided we needed another dog. He became obsessed with looking at dogs on-line and then nightly would print out no less than a sheaf of “possibilities” for me to check out the next day. I carried around my bundle of dog biographies making phone calls and setting up appointments at Pounds, Humane Societies, Private Parties, Breeders, and Rescue Organizations. We looked at everything from Bassett Hounds to Rat Terriers. We became educated on many of the latest new designer breeds such as Puggles, Schnoodles, and Labradoodles, Boxmations to Chiuaweenies. I was becoming doggified and dogmatized—I knew I was in trouble when all I could think of when my realtor asked me if I liked her new hair color was that she looked like a German Shepherd.

Then we found Trooper. He’d been picked up with his brother as strays, he’d spent time in the pound, his neutering was more complex than average; he’d been hospitalized with pneumonia; he’d been given a foster home because a keeper at the Humane Society took pity on him and called Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. Then, at last, he was adopted by a family he thought would give him his forever home and they returned him two days later. That’s when we found his picture and his story.

I explained to the head of the Rescue we’d never had a German Shepherd before—that we’d only ever had Labs and Retrievers and wondered what differences I could expect. She gave me a detailed description of how, for example, each of the two different breeds would approach the meeting of a stranger. “Basically”, she told me, “it will be like having a Republican and a Democrat under the same roof”. Being fairly apolitical myself, I didn’t want to ask which one was which but I figured it out, if by no other criteria, than looks alone. Let’s face it, with a name like “Trooper”, how could I have doubted his party affiliation? Trooper has such commanding and classic good looks. He truly is tall, dark, and handsome and possesses a Mitt Romney kind of presence and confidence….a nice quality for a Republican. BoBo, on the other hand, with his “Clintonesque” physique and a penchant for McDonald’s and all other fast food chains, his charm and charisma, must be our Democrat. He’s a car potato and a couch potato. He’s blonde, beautiful, and just wants love and world peace.

BoBo pretty much tolerated Trooper in those first forty-eight hours until the unthinkable happened. We discovered to our horror and our delight that Trooper is an expert soccer player. What started as a quiet and uneventful hike down a familiar mountain trail turned quickly into what looked like a nightmare about to unfold. Trooper heard the buzz of kids far down below and caught sight of soccer balls flying through the air and in a split second, he was bounding down the side of mountain at breakneck speed—a very large, out- of-control German Shepherd whom I have now owned for less than two days. Trooper is suddenly in the middle of a President’s Day Soccer Clinic at the 4-S Ranch Recreational Center where kids ranging from 6-14 years old are developing their soccer skills! As I run down the trail, waving my leash, screaming out apologies and claiming, “He’s Adopted!”—my disclaimer for his bad behavior-- I find that the squeals and shrieks are actually yelps of delight!! The kids and BoBo and I have never seen anything like it!! He’s absolutely amazing!! Trooper is an unbelievable Soccer Superstar! He is dribbling, he is passing, he is running for the goal, he is standing on all fours with the ball beneath him “trapping” the ball. He runs for the sidelines. He brings back a stray ball. When he jumps up on the pint size goalie, I’m thinking, “Oh my gosh….This is it! I’m just going to die! He’s gone too far”, but to my surprise, I hear the kids calling out things like, “Go Trooper!” “Pass it to Trooper!” ; the coach yelling “Run! Trooper’s beating you to the ball!”. As BoBo and I watch frozen on the sideline, we can barely see Trooper because he is surrounded by dozens of crazed and adoring fans! The kids are kissing him, and petting him, and loving him and they’re all over him.. .our Trooper is a “Rock Star”!! BoBo and I can’t believe our eyes and Troop has just gone from zero to hero in Bo’s book…..who now wishes that he, too, knew how to play soccer and be the envy of all the kids in the world. The coach runs over and hollers out with a gleam in his eye, “He’s a German Soccer Player…..and he’s really, really, good!! With both pride and hesitation, I think “Great! I’m too old to be a Soccer Mom again and I’ve already got one Republican in the house!”

Dusty's definately found Love!

As you can see, Dusty is in his forever, warm, and loving home!

Former Coastal Alum is now a "Snow Bunny"!

Raven loving the snow in her new home in Colorado!

Sweet Dreams at last for brothers Romo and Kimball!

Romo and Kimball, abandoned just after the 2007 wildfires, enjoying the good life and lots of naps together on their luxurious faux fur bedding. Their sweet dreams have come true! Thank you, Sue W. for giving these two beauties the life they deserve!

Ava got what she wanted from "Santa" for Christmas!

Ava (formally Kiki) happy in her new home!

Rebel stops by for a visit!

Rebel sporting his beautiful fur thanks to the great care of his loving family!

"A Day in the Life of Kahuna"!

Kahuna (formally known as Nicco) has a wonderful new life with his owner Carlo Felicione

Blitz in Action!

Blitzen has gone from "Rescue Boy" to "Pool Boy"!

"Blitz likes my hubby and I to lay next to him and talk to him.
We love him so much and he loves us."

Baron says Merry Christmas!
Although he looks a little embassed, he loves the attention.

Happy Hannah poses with her "kids"

Reagan wanted me to send you a few pictures of her showing her Halloween spirit! She is doing just great. As you can see she helped me decorate…. And after a couple pictures decided to cool of in the garage. She really is a good dog!

A happy Bonnie just weeks before she sadly left for the "bridge" She was adopted and loved by Coastal volunteer Tricia and her family and will be deeply missed. She will be patiently waiting at the bridge for her friends and family!

Our condolences go out to Trica and her family for the loss of this wonderful girl. We also want to thank Tricia for giving Bonnie many wonderful days, making up for the previous neglect that she had been subjected to.

Rest in Peace Angel Girl!

Peyton with Todd and Nikka in her forever home!

Roxy happy with her boys!

Clementine (formerly known as Maggie), a soulful little stray puppy left to fend for herself for six months with an injured shoulder, chased from dumpsters by unfeeling neighbors, now a glowing, strapping 80 pound energetic girl who rules her world (along with the world of her mom, Michelle)!

Jake (formerly known as Dylan), giving his new kid an over the shoulder bath!

Indy just moved into Holly's castle! Holly was adopted earlier this year.
Indy and Holly are now a very happy, well loved, and just possibly spoiled, team!

Happy Tails!