Raven was adopted April 20th 2012

Raven - Adopted! Breed: German Shepherd Sex: Female Age: Young  (4 years) Size: Large 60 lbs Color: Black Raven is: Housetrained Good with Kids Good with dogs Good with cats Up to date with shots Spayed

August 24/11

Raven has just come into our care today from the local pound. The idea was to take her into our vet to get him to look at what is left of her eye, find out the expense, and then return her to the shelter.

However, things just never seem to work out the way that you plan them. ;)

After hearing what the vet had to say about her eye, and knowing that this girl has already suffered severely with pain in her life, we decided to book her in right there for surgery.

Tomorrow, Raven will have what is left of the eye, which has grossly deteriorated and actually rotted in her head for the last year or so, removed. We're hoping that will be the extent of it. The worry is that the infection has gone into the bone behind the eye, or even worse... the brain.  We just won't know until they are in there and can see the extent of the damage.

How anyone could live with a dog in this amount of pain, and actually see her eye going to jelly, and not notice or not do anything, is completely beyond us! We've often said that it's the indifference that is the most cruel act, and this is certainly the case with Raven.

No matter, that is in the past, and after tomorrow, a new chapter turns for our girl. She's still got one good eye after all! We are confident that there is a person or family out there for this girl that will love her for the rest of her days.

After Raven comes out of the vet, she will go into boarding. We would love to find her a dog savvy, committed foster home for her to recoup in and get ready for adoption! Please email us if you think you can help this special girl! 

August 26th 2011

Raven had her surgery yesterday and what was remaining of her eye has been removed.

While we know this looks horrible, we are very sure that in a few days this girl will finally be pain free in what is probably the first time in years.

She is the sweetest girl, and just about turns herself inside out to have some affection from people.

She would love to have a foster home to recover in, instead of the kennel. Right now she doesn't get a lot of interaction as she can't be out playing with the other dogs or romping the property.

We have not officially tested her with other dogs, but she does seem to have some reaction to high stimuli in other dogs,  so if she is to go to a home with another dog, it must be one that is low key and easy going.

It is important during her recovery that her blood pressure doesn't get too ramped up, as this effects the pressure in the eye socket.

Raven has been sweet, loving and easy with every single person she has met.

She likely would not be a good candidate for a home with cats.

As we learn more about this girl, we will continue to update her page. Stay tuned!

September 1st 2011
We'd like to thank everyone who emailed us about Raven. It is easy to understand how she has touched so many hearts in her journey so far. She is very easy to love! Raven has been moved into a temporary foster home for the next 6 weeks. She has had her stitches removed, and all looks very good! She has healed well and is now ready for adoption. Raven's foster writes: This sweet girl has figured out the routine pretty quickly and is getting along well with her 2 doggy companions, Gunnar and Bella, who have agreed to share their home with her during her recuperation. We can only imagine what Raven has already lived through but, no matter what she has endured, she is a good natured girl. She solemnly tolerated her surgery site being iced; sits as patiently as she can for meals; and waits to be invited to go outside. While she was still a "cone head" ; smart girl that she is, had figured out that she could use the cone as a wedge to move her two new buddies out of her way. We are working on her manners such as no feet on the counter and not jumping up for kisses when her foster parents come home. She loves to have her chin, chest and belly rubbed and wiggles with joy when she gets attention. Raven is desperate to please and is learning very quickly, adjusting her actions as she learns what is appropriate. She knows where her bed is, what "off" and "quiet" mean in addition to "sit, down and stay" - sometimes even when the other two dogs break! Now that she has the "all clear" from her vet, she will start swimming with her buddies and has enrolled in  Basic Obedience. Class starts next week and we're looking forward to helping her further develop her skills!
October 15th 2011 Raven has been with us for several weeks now and she is much more comfortable with all our routines. She no longer puts her feet on the counter, knows which food dish is hers and understands that even she needs to go outside when it rains. Her fur has grown back on her face and now looks like she has a permanent wink. She is getting along very well with our dogs and the three of them have created a race course in our back yard. They seem to have the rules figured out as they take turns being chased. We've been going to the lake and she loves to wade in the water. She isn't toy driven enough to go swimming after the ball but she will paddle around a bit if I go in also. Her most enjoyable activity at the lake is to put her nose to the ground and smell everything and anything. Who knows - there may be a tracker inside just waiting to get out! Raven and I are enrolled in a basic obedience course and she is doing really well! She learns very quickly and believe it or not, the hotdog chunk is not as high demand a treat as a chest rub! We've been practicing and we're figuring out how to work the hand commands on her blind side. Down, without rolling over for a belly rub, is still challenging but we're getting better! If you would like to add Raven to your family, please email us for an application! November 4th 2011 Raven has graduated from our Basic Obedience 1 course and is now back in our boarding kennels. She is such a sweet girl, who gets along with everyone and has had no problems interacting with all the rest of the dogs. She has made a new friend in a female doberman and they will play from sun up to sun down! Raven is seeking a fun-loving and active home where the family is committed to providing her with the training and exercise she needs to become a cherished, well-mannered member of her new family. She thrives on attention from people and is very affectionate. Raven will be a dedicated and loyal companion when she has bonded with her new family.  We think she would be an excellent candidate for agility, or other dog sports as well.  It would be great to see how she does at a herding clinic!       December  28th 2011 Raven says thank you to all her special sponsors and friends that sent her special treats and toys over the holidays! She is feeling very special! We had house guests over the holidays and Raven was a great host; even with a bratty GSD that came to stay with us. After a couple of corrections for attempting to 'be the boss' of the new guy, all was well and Raven had yet another new friend :) We are very happy with Raven and her sweet demeanor. She is a hug cuddle bug and really just wants to be around you. She waits all week for our volunteer dog walker to come out, and as soon at she sees her, the party begins. Raven has sooo much fun during her one on one time off the property that she just can't contain herself when she knows it's her turn! It's a new year, a new start, and Raven would love to start it out in a home of her own!   March 24th 2012 We are SO excited to report that Raven has gone into a foster to adopt situation. Her new family applied for her and we knew right away that they were the solid gold home we have been waiting for! Raven loved them immediately, especially since they came with a handsome new boyfriend :) All reports have been great and they are smitten with our special girl. We are sad to see Raven go, but so happy for her to be finally getting a home of her own. They were definitely worth the wait! Be good Ray, and enjoy the good life, you have most definitely earned it!! Thank you to everyone who took an interest in Raven and helped her along in her journey!                   Raven was adopted April 20th 2012! Enjoy the good life Ray!                                                     Raven was supported by:
Courtney Drake ~ Monthly Sponsor Jennifer Matheson ~ Monthly Sponsor Martin Kinal ~ In memory of Kaylee ~ Monthly Sponsor Janie Thistle ~ In memory of Buddy ~ Monthly Sponsor Jennifer Dickson ~ Monthly Sponsor Patricia Weiser ~ Monthly Sponsor Steve & Doris ~ Monthly Sponsor Melissa, Sean & Lily Bev Eriksen	Russ & Christine Megas Valley Vet Services Paul & Heather Kent Joyce Ward Jennifer Dickson Jason & Francesca Bear & Emma ~ Merry Christmas to Jet & Tanner! WholeSugars.ca Christine White

                                                      GSRBC's Raven