Coastal German Shepherd Rescue

Darien and Dallas are two six-month-old sisters who were found running the streets as strays. At the Animal Control Facility, they were deemed too "afraid" to be adoptable. So they awaited their turn to be put to sleep. At the time we found out about them, the rescue was already bursting at the seams with other dogs who had once before shared the same fate, and it seemed almost destined that we would not be able to save them. Boarding was full, fosters had no more room, and we had no idea where the money would come from to save these young girls, who had yet to even have a chance at life. But, as Coastal often does, we decided to take a chance, rescue them now and hope for everything to work out in its own time.

Did we make the right decision? Absolutely, no question. These girls were indeed afraid. Who wouldn't be? So we found room in a foster home where they could be around other dogs, people, cats, even turtles, but also be together. It didn't take long for them to become part of the family. When they first came home, we dubbed them the "Twins" because they look so much alike. We had to put different colored colors on them to be able to quickly identify them. But it didn't take long for their personalities to blossom, and in that way we learned that while they do look remarkably alike, they have personalities which make them uniquely different.

Dallas, slightly larger than her sister, takes on more of the big sister role with Darien. A fast learner, Dallas is quick to turn and correct her sister when she sees her acting out of line. An example, a volunteer walked by at an event where they were both barking at dogs going by. When she told them to stop, Dallas stopped right away. Darien, a little slower, kept right on going. Dallas quickly turned and nudged her with her muzzle and quieted her little sister right away.

At home, Dallas loves to play with the other dogs, rough-housing, tug-of-war, you name it. But her favorite thing is to snuggle with a person. If you lie down and pat the floor or bed, whichever it may be, beside you, she puts her nose to the ground as if to see what you are pointing her to. Then the side of the face goes to the floor, followed slowly by the rest of her body, and before you know it, you have a head nestled on your arm, looking up into your face, content to lay there as long as you are willing.

Another of Dallas' favorite past-times is water. We learned right away that Dallas likes to bob for whatever is at the bottom of the water bowl. This can get quite messy. So if you like a dry floor, put a towel underneath the bowl. Well, that would work, except Dallas also likes to try the magic "pull the towel from under the water bowl" trick also.

Darien, the more shy of the two, is still learning her puppy manners. When she first came home, she was afraid of the stairs and had to be carried up and down each time. On her second day, she managed to go down the stairs very slowly. At the bottom, she discovered what she had done and spent the next 15 minutes running up the stairs and then down the stairs, over and over again. She has found a safe haven in the room upstairs where she can go lay with the cat underneath the bed when she wants to be alone. But there are times when there comes a distant thunder roll, and we discover that her sister Dallas and her foster sister, Destiny, have found her. They go from one end of the room to the other playing and wrestling, until finally, we have to send them outside to burn off some energy and quiet the thunder.

Darien goes outside sometimes alone to take care of business. It is at this time that we notice just how afraid she still is. She goes from corner of the yard to corner, like a mouse in a maze, not knowing what to do, looking for a way to escape. And then her foster siblings and Dallas come to the rescue. She plays in the yard with them for hours, content that she is finally safe. While some dogs do well in a home without another four-legged friend, Darien is most likely not one of those. She loves the company of her canine and feline companions. While not as cuddly as Dallas, she is learning that cuddling can be fun and something she likes the more she does it. She is learning that people can be as much fun as her canine friends.

We often watch Dallas and Darien as they lie together sleeping and think of them as a set of bookends. It is very rare that you will find one asleep without the other lying right there, their bodies touching at some place. And it is then that we look at them and know we made the right decision. The funding will hopefully come to support their rescue, but right now we celebrate life, their life, and we all look forward to the day they can be in their perfect forever home.

Puppies are a life-long commitment. They need time, training, vet care and healthy feeding to become good canine citizens. Don't even think of adopting a puppy unless you intend to invest the time and money and commitment required, and you can expect to lose a few good shoes along the way!

If you are interested in meeting me, please contact Jordan via email at jkeilty@cox.net. Don't forget to fill out our online application.

The minimum adoption donation ranges from $350 to $500. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, boarding fees, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is 100% tax deductible.

Prior to placement, all dogs will be spayed or neutered, receive current vaccinations, and are usually microchipped. If not, arrangements will be made on an individual basis. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with physical problems.

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