The end of a long chase…

Charlie Bear here with another big fellow, this one named Chase. His story is told by Brittany:

It all started when my dad got his German Shepherd. He claims that Jett is “everyone’s” dog, but we all know better. I wanted a German Shepherd of my own, and I wanted to adopt in order to save a life. And, in my opinion, they make the best dogs because they are so appreciative.

I kept checking the pound near my house for shepherds but I had no luck. I also checked Petfinder regularly. Then one day it finally happened! I was scrolling through all the dog’s photos when I saw him. He didn’t even look like a full-blooded shepherd. His coat was creamy white and I couldn’t see the typical black markings on him except for his face. His hair was a mess, with little puffs of it sticking out all over him. His description said he was a mix, but somehow I wasn’t fooled.

In his pictures it looked as if he knew he was getting photographed for his possible big day of adoption. He was sitting down in front of his cage with a sweet, smiley face. I glanced at the information about him. It said he was caught “running at large,” which made me laugh. It also said that he was scheduled for euthanasia soon. I wasn’t having any of that.

I immediately called my mom into the room to come look at him. I could possibly save this sweet soul. So me, my mom, and my sister, drove to Winder, Georgia where he was located.

Once we got to the shelter, I knew immediately he was full-blooded. He was a complete mess but he was so beautiful. I could just imagine what he would look like on some good food and some TLC. His poor hair was so dry from lack of nutrition, and it needed brushing. He was very thin, with missing hair on his hip bones from where he was so skinny it rubbed against the concrete until there was none to rub off. 

I put my hand up to the cage and knelt down. He was very sweet, but when the girl who worked there came in he jumped up on the side of his prison cell. He paced back and forth in his narrow cage and every time he came to my side he would put his ears back and make that sweet Chase face. I asked the girl if she could get him out for me. He was so happy to get out of that place. We stayed with him for about twenty minutes before we had to leave. The girl who worked there told us he had been there over a month.

The very next day the shelter sent him to their vet for vaccines that the adoption fee covered and when I came to get him they told me he was already micro chipped and neutered. When they brought him out he was all fluffy from his bath and he looked plum wild, like a lion. He then saw a cat and he suddenly went berserk.  The vet handed him over to me and I struggled to get his new collar and leash on him. He wouldn’t be still. Doubts raced through my mind. Had I done the right thing? Is he going to hurt our elderly cat? Will he fight with our other dogs? 

He did calm down in the car, but once home, he was very nervous and paced all the time. I didn’t think he’d ever settle down, and there was one problem. He did NOT like cats.

Chase has been with me almost a year now and I’m happy to say he’s my perfect dog. My sister helped me name him. Since at the time he loved to chase cats and also had a nervous habit of chasing his tail, “Chase” was the perfect name. He no longer chases cats, thankfully, and I’m proud to say that he can now be nose to nose with our elderly cat and doesn’t attempt to chase or hurt her. He still chases his tail every now and then when he gets in a confining place, such as a small room, but not to the degree that he used to.

He loves to ride in my truck, making trips to Tractor Supply and Home Depot with me. He’s also my running buddy, and a good one at that, keeping a really good pace. Chase is an inside dog and my room is his “house.” He has his own giant fluffy bed but he likes to sleep with me and hog the bed at times. Rotten, I know.

I don’t know what I would do without Chase. He makes me laugh every day with his goofiness and he’s always by my side or lying at my feet. He’s so loyal, and I’m so lucky to have found him. I hope everyone will choose to adopt and save a life. They’ll make a new best friend in the process, like I did.

Brittany

* * *

Charlie Bear here…cool story, Brittany! I’m so happy you ended your “chase” to find a wonderful dog. Good for you, and good for Chase!

Woofs & Wiggles to you both,
Charlie Bear