July 2006

It's easy to see that Buddy has a heart of gold that is just waiting to be found. We could already see that first spark of his sense of humor. 

He loves most other dogs, but can be selective with other males.  He greeted the cats with politeness and ease. Buddy has also apparently lived with children, though we would prefer that he did not go to a home with small kids, as he does seem to have some resource guarding tendencies. 

 

 Buddy is a great dog for an moderately active and experienced owner. He's about six years old, but still acts like a pup in many ways.

Buddy was left to his own devices in his previous home, and unfortunately was allowed to make a lot of the wrong choices. Finally the local animal control had to step in and take Buddy from his home. 

GSRBC was there the day that Buddy was removed. It was a sad day for everyone, but most of all for Buddy, who lost the only home he's ever known. It is amazing still what a dog will put up with and still remain loyal to his owner. 

Buddy will now have to learn a new way to behave. We don't think it will be that hard for him, as he is eager to please and looking to bond already. 

He is not a hard dog, just a dog that has never had a lot of leadership in his life to show him what is expected of him. Buddy is willing to submit to firm, fair and consistent leadership.

 

 

Buddy is a great dog who is looking for an equally wonderful home. He is a diamond in the rough, and is very worthy of a second look.  When you meet Buddy, you must be ready for one of his giant hugs. Someone forgot to tell him that he is not a lap dog!

We're proud of Buddy and all he has accomplished so far! 

August 2006

Buddy is currently working with a hired trainer to not only learn basic obedience, but to also help us learn about Buddy in greater detail. He has done phenomenal and has responded very well. The only thing holding Buddy back and working against him is the shelter environment. 

Buddy would flourish in a foster home that has breed experience and can commit to him long term until his training is finished and then hopefully until his forever home can be found.  He has a lot of really great potential, and whoever bonds with Buddy will steal his heart forever.  This is not a dog that bonds lightly, he gives it everything he's got, and he steals the hearts of all who have a love for the breed.

September 2006

GREAT NEWS! The trainer that has been working with Buddy is about to leave for the second part of the training course at Canada West Canine Training Centre, and she has asked to be able to take Buddy along for her working dog! 

Through this course, the trainer will obtain "Certified Master Trainer" status, and Buddy will be involved in an intensive 3 week training program. We are thrilled to say the least! Not many dogs are afforded this wonderful opportunity and our special boy is one very lucky dog!

 

October 13th 2006

Buddy is back! We are happy to report that he did phenomenal!  We were able to gain so much more insight to Buddy and will be better able to match him to the most appropriate home.

Buddy has been part of an extensive professional dog training program and is fluent in basic and some advanced obedience. He knows sit, down, stay, come, stand, finish, hand signals and has been tested and excelled in tracking, he has also been tested in drug detection and seemed to enjoy this.

Buddy bonded very deeply to his new friend and trainer. She was just as heartbroken to bring Buddy back to the boarding facility as he was to leave her. It was a sad day for both, but the start of a new beginning for Buddy. 

Now we must urgently find Buddy a foster home. He has been used to working 5 hours a day, and in the boarding facility, he will likely regress. Buddy needs a home immediately. He is a wonderful boy, who is fully housetrained and now crate trained. Buddy actually loves his crate and treats it like a bedroom. It's his special place.

Buddy has exhibited some protective tendencies in the way that he wants to protect his person and have a say in who comes near them. He is not fond of people freely approaching his person, and must not be let to make these choices on his own. 

Buddy will need an experienced breed knowledgeable home, as well as a leader. He is a dog that needs a job, and given those two things, Buddy will continue to flourish and will  make someone a loving, loyal and very handsome companion. 

Yay Buddy! You did it, and we are SO proud of you! 

Big Thank you to Christine of DownTown Dogs for helping our boy!

October 21st 2006

More great news for our boy!

Buddy has a foster home!!! Kerri-Lynne, who is phenomenal, (and just recently took Candy in and fostered her for us until she left for her outstanding home), has come forward and offered to give Buddy a try!

Sometimes when you think that things are the darkest, a little message comes in that says "Hey, I have an open spot to foster", and everything seems balanced again.  It takes a special kind of person to read a bio like Buddy's and then say "I want to help him". It's what makes it all worthwhile and restores our hope and faith in our mission. 

Today, Buddy is getting all spiffed up with a bath and a little bit of grooming. He'll spend his time with the people that are important to him at the boarding facility and they will be loving him up as they spend their last day together. Everyone is so overjoyed for Buddy and this opportunity, and while they will miss him, they are not sorry to see him go, as this can only mean good things for Buddy! 

Tomorrow, Buddy will leave for Vancouver Island and his foster home. Here Buddy will gain skills in a home environment, and we will be able to respond to Buddy better. 

After a 3 week settling in period, Buddy will be available for adoption. You will be welcome to go and meet Buddy once an approved application is in place. 

Thank you to Kerri-Lynne and her family for opening your hearts and home to Buddy! You Rock!

Please check back on Buddy's page for future updates from Kerri-Lynne!
October update from Buddy's Foster:
 

Well, Buddy was pretty anxious about the ferry ride....shaking and panting and some crying.  He did take a brief nap.  He met another dog and was fine.  He was weirded out by going down the stairs and on different footing, but my dog can be like that, so he could be just very sensitive about things.

 
When we got home, I let him run around our yard and check things out (he was really happy, his little tail a waggin').  I then let the dreaded Joey out of the house and Buddy was very nonchalant with him.  They checked each other out and then Buddy got too close to me, so Joey snapped and Buddy backed off.  They wandered around for a bit and then I let the rest of the pack out of the house....Keara, Luna, and Toby.  Keara and Luna were totally fine.  Keara will probably really like him as he isn't "rude".  He doesn't go up and stick his nose into her business (she has that Border Collie space issue).  Everybody was fine with him and they seemed to hit it off.

We then played on the lawn and Keara (the matriarch of all the dogs), was really into playing with Buddy.  Keara very rarely plays with anyone other than Luna!  I think Keara has a crush which is hilarious....she is such a dog snob!

 
I then took him out into the field to see how he would be with the horses.  He was pretty good.  He barked and sort of lunged at one of them, but when there was minimal reaction and I said NO he stopped immediately and came over to me like he was a very bad boy (sheepish look).  He will be fine with the horses and vice versa.  Joey was getting a drink out of the water trough and Buddy came in for a drink and Joey did his resource guarding over the flipping water trough!  Geez, don't you think 50 gallons is enough water for both of them??  Buddy again backed off and gave Joey a look like..."man, take a valium"!
Even with very high excitement levels while playing, there were absolutely no issues with Buddy....I can tell he'll fit in just fine here.  He thinks Joey is silly and can't be bothered getting his tail into a knot about Joey's "resource" issues.
Joey was sporadically resource guarding the dog beds in the living room and being really miserable, so Buddy finally had enough and snarled, jumped on top of him and hovered over Joey's head with his paws on Joey's back in a dominant position.  They were like this for awhile then Joey backed off.  I don't think I've ever seen a dog put another dog in his place without biting.  I'm so proud of Buddy! He didn't bite, just snarled and made some noise and hovered over Joey and then he let Joey back off and was fine.  Joey wanted outside after this episode.  Something makes me think Joey will think twice about messing with Buddy.  Buddy sure must be a confident boy to put another dog in his place without resorting to violence!
 He's been a real sweetheart and not acting macho at all (except for him taking out the lawn every time he pees with his major hen scratching!!!).  I think Christine's training has really helped him figure out his place with humans.  He snapped (or flashed out as Christine says) at me while I was putting surolan in his ears and I sternly said "No" and let him know that it wasn't going to deter me from continuing.  He sort of resigned himself and said "OK, but make it quick....that thing in my ears makes me nervous".  I have put stuff in his ears since then and he is fine. He understands that he must resign himself to allowing me to do this.  I think in a way he was testing me to see if I would quit.  Little does he know that horses test me all the time with far more dangerous repercussions and I am very stubborn about getting my own way (in a fair and consistent manner, of course)!!!
The girls, Joey and Buddy and I went for a long walk this AM in the trails!!  Buddy was very well behaved.  A jogger passed us and it was a non-issue, Buddy didn't move or care about the jogger.  Also, we passed a fellow with a lab/shep X on a leash that was growling and pulling at my dogs while we passed.  Buddy didn't even bat an eye!  Joey was even pretty well behaved! 
 
I was doing some tractor work in the field yesterday and Buddy just LOVES the tractor.  He follows me around and really wants to ride on the tractor.  If there was space I'd have let him on with me!!!  He is now coming back out in the field and learning to keep an eye on those nasty horses rather than avoiding all the fun!

~K

 

Go Buddy!

 

November 3rd 2006

 
Buddy is doing great here!  Sometimes when Joey is play fighting with the girls, he is a bit of a control freak and tries to break it up by starting a quarrel with Joey.  Silly Boys!  The good thing is that when I hollar at them to quit, they do break it up and it's not serious, just a pecking order thing. 
 
Most of the playtime though, Buddy, Joey and the girls run around the yard all crazy and chase each other.  Buddy gets really excited and tucks his bum in as he runs around getting the zoomies.  He is being a very good houseguest.

Buddy is a very good dog and is a complete softy with his people, but very protective of them.  This morning I was out in the yard with the dogs and my neighbor walked by the fence line with his dog.  Before I realized what was up, Buddy was putting on a show of guarding the property and he seemed quite serious.   I called him off and he came galloping over.  He definitely has the protective instinct!

All in all, Buddy is having a good time and is very submissive to me.  He loves to cuddlel!

~K

     

December Update:

 

We are really starting to understand Buddy and what a great dog he is!  I would describe him as being the strong yet sensitive type.  The strong being his protectiveness over his property and family and the ability to stand up for himself when another dog is acting dominant (we won't mention any names....Joey).  The sensitive part being that he really wants to do the right thing and is very easy to work with due to this.  His willingness to please makes him very amiable.  For instance, he knows that we like the dogs to go their dog beds when in the house and to settle down.  He learned this very quickly and he is very quiet and calm.  If he does move, it is to go get a drink of water or to go to another dog-bed. 
 
We are building a house right now so we have lots of people coming and going.  We always have an eye on Buddy due to his protectiveness because we don't want him making any mistakes trying to protect us.  If someone is at the gate trying to get in, Buddy will protect.  However,  when we call him back to us and he comes roaring right back.  Once the person is in the yard and we say it is OK, he seems to like hanging out and getting petted and admired from different people.  Having said that, I wouldn't want to leave him on his own in case he gets it in his mind that he needs to protect something and we weren't around to tell him it is OK.
 
Also, he seems to be quite the homebody!  I had to take some bales of hay in the tractor to a neighbor and all the dogs were following the tractor.  Buddy would not come out of the open gate.  He just hung back while all the other dogs came.  It was neat to see him so loyal to our place. 
 
Another thing I learned about Buddy, he doesn't really like to get dirty!  Our place is a mud hole right now with all the building activity and the former rains and now the melting snow!  I watched him walking and he picks his way quite carefully avoiding all the really muddy places.  I wish Joey would learn this.   I will be wiping them off before coming into the house and Buddy will have dirty feet but Joey will have mud dripping off his whole body!.
 
We are quite attached to Buddy as he is quite a confident and amiable fellow.  We are hoping that someone very special comes forward and finds themselves a committed and dedicated soul-mate in Buddy!

 

January Update ~ 

Well, it seems that Buddy has gone and cracked one tooth, and damaged another somehow.  I think we should change his name to the Cash. The million dollar dog!

Buddy had his dental surgery this month to remove the two teeth in question and of course get a thorough cleaning while he was under. Now he has a pearly bright white smile to show everyone he meets!  

 

February Update ~

Buddy's has been a long and special journey. It has been difficult at times, but somehow, the doors all opened. All the right people, at all the right times, and Buddy got lucky when he needed it most. From Animal Control stepping in to remove him from an unsafe situation, to us seeing him that first day, to all the staff at the boarding facility who cared so much, to Christine from Downtown Dogs, who took a special interest in Buddy, and fell hard for him along the way, to Kerri-Lynne who opened her heart and her home to help this one lost soul.. To the many of you who donated and watched Buddy's story and struggle unfold. The many, many people who have written us about Buddy, wishing they could take him in themselves and adding their moral support as they check for updates on him monthly. 

Luck has finally smiled on Buddy once again. That final ray of hope, love and warmth. Our special boy has an awesome family that has applied to adopt him. We are over the moon for them as well, and Buddy will make his last move on February 16th, when he will go to his new home. His last stop in a long journey. Buddy's home is just as special as he is, and they are a great match for this special boy. 

Finally, a home of his own where he will be a valued member of the family. Way to go Buddy! You deserve this!  We know you will all join us in sending Buddy off with well wishes for a bright, bright future. 

Thank you to all of Buddy's supporters! The family has promised us some updates from time to time, so be sure to check back and see how he is doing.  

 

Through our sponsorship program, (covering vet care & hired training) Buddy is being sponsored by:

Dayle Francis ~ Neuter

Catherine Crosbie ~ Dental

Steve & Maxine ~ Dental

Karin Allenback ~ Dental

Kelli Taylor ~ Dental

 

Through our foster Partner Program (covering boarding expenses) Buddy is sponsored by:

Kelly Cook ~ 3 days

Alison Kilroy ~ 8 days

Sarah H. ~ 15 days

Liz H. - 12 days

Megan & Colin K. ~ 5 days

Beata S. ~ In Memory of Codi ~ 5 days

Bonnie T. In honor of Chelsey ~ 1 day

Cynthia & Darrel ~ In honor of Winnie & Katie ~ 5 days

The Bennett Family ~ In Memory of Ben ~ 25 days

Dayle Francis ~ 3 days boarding

Buddy spent 82 days in boarding. 

August 9th 2007

With deep sadness, GSRBC marks the passing of this special and yet troubled soul. 

Buddy was a dog that suffered years of the worst abuse one could imagine. He lived with a person who was mentally unstable for too many years, and suffered greatly during those hideous days, months and years. 

Buddy had a good heart. He loved deeply, but he never really understood that he could be loved back in the same way. He never truly trusted it, and why should he?

His life is the classic example of why we all strive so hard to keep them safe. To keep them from the situations that Buddy lived in too long. To keep them from becoming twisted in their minds the way that abuse and neglect will do. 

Buddy didn't start out that way. He was born perfect, like every baby, every puppy, every creature. It is what they are exposed to that makes them who they become. Sometimes, little puppies end up in the hands of monsters, and they suffer silently, and nobody knows. All too often this happens, and by the time they come to us, it is far too late. 

We knew the risks. We took him anyway. Trainers knew the risks. They tried to help him anyway. Volunteers knew the risks, and they loved him anyway. A foster home came forward. They knew the risks. They took him anyway... And then along came his new people. They knew the risks. They saw the potential. They took him anyway.

We all gave our hearts to Buddy, and gave him every opportunity we could to help him regain who and what he was meant to be. He was given the training, he was given a great home, and he was given a lot of love. In the end, it was just not enough. The monster won. Buddy could not be safe to live in this world.

Buddy came a long, long way and we were all so proud of him. He applied himself and tried so very hard to be a good boy. He wanted to do it right, but things didn't mean the same to Buddy as they do to other dogs. His mind no longer worked the same way. 

On August 9th, 2007, Buddy was held in the arms of the two people that loved him, and he was released from the demons that haunted him.

Be free Buddy. You are loved.

Special thanks to Steve & Maxine for giving Buddy a forever home, for loving him, and for understanding him.

~GSRBC

His last week was spent with as much love and care that we could give him.  While we tried to keep his routine relatively normal, we gave him a number of opportunities to do what he liked best.  He enjoyed many long walks exploring in the woods, going to his favorite places on our property, special treats, rolling in the grass, sleeping in the sun and lots of attention from us and his best friends.  He had a big dinner before we left for his appointment.

Buddy has touched our lives in the short time he was with us like no other dog I have known.  He had a special personality and we will carry his memory forever.  We learned much from him and our next dog will benefit from that experience.  He was, however, truly a victim and continued to suffer.  We take comfort in that we probably gave him the best period of his life in a safe and caring home.   A comfortable retirement of sorts.

 Thank you for entrusting Buddy to us for the short time he was here.  We are better for it. 

 Steve

 

 

We are a registered non-profit Charity as of April 1st 2005