German Shepherd Rescue Event a Success
Several hundred people and their dogs enjoyed a 2 mile walk in the beautiful woods of Borderland Park to raise funds to support German Shepherd Rescue of New England\'s mission of rescuing homeless German Shepherds throughout our six state area. Proceeds will help provide the veterinary exams and care, medicines, vaccinations, spay/neutering, food, sometimes surgery and the other necessities for the dogs in GSRNE\'s foster care program until a match is made with a good adoptive home.
We had an obedience demonstration by Mike Citro of Baystate Kennel and Training Center. The demonstration included Schutzhund competition obedience and protection with motivational training techniques His experience includes training all breeds for home pets, security dogs, Schutzhund competition dogs and Police K-9s. Mike is a DVG Certified Training Director and Level 2 Certified Trial Decoy.
Mike also conducted Canine Good Citizen (GCG) testing throughout the afternoon. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test are eligible to receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
Martine Meijering, a GSRNE member and her dog, the “Amazing Murray†a Dutch Shepherd mix, demonstrated the sport of Agility. Murray loves doing agility and it has given her a lot of confidence. When she first started, she was afraid to jump over a pole that was on the ground. Now she does all the equipment without any problems!
The dogs who participated included a 14 mo old GSD, Dakota, who is starting her agility career and Sierra, 8 ½ yrs old German Shepherd, who has won many ribbons over the years and is still doing great. Then there were Charley, 6 yo Old English Sheepdog and Murray, almost 4 yo Dutch Shepherd (?) X, who are somewhere in between Dakota and Sierra. The impredemo included jumps, a tire jump, an open and closed tunnel, a set of weave poles and a pause table.
A parade of 27 German Shepherds, including 14 year old Nannie Millie pulled in a wagon by 5 year old Melissa of Quincy, was held.Each dog had a moment in the limelight while the story of its rescue was told. This was a very emotional and inspiring highlight for both the rescuers involved, and the audience listening to hear what these dogs had been through, and to see how very healthy and happy the dogs looked now.
German Shepherd Rescue of New England had an information center where photos of rescued German Shepherds could be viewed, and one could learn more about how the rescue operates, and the various ways one could help the cause.
We had 5 other Rescues who operated informational tables: Coast-to-Coast Dashchund Rescue, Colonial Basset Hound Rescue, New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue, and Save-A-Dog, Inc.
17 vendors/exhibitors exhibited their dog-or human-focused items for purchase. We also had lively music performed by Thunderpants Johnson\'s Hillbilly Orchestra keeping man and beast entertained between events.
The majority of dogs attending were GSDs but there were also other breeds, such as poodle, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Bloodhound, Yorkshire Terriers, and more..
Approximately $10, 000 was raised to benefit the German Shepherds rescued by GSRNE.
Participants enjoyed a full day of dog-focused fun with their dogs and other dog-lovers, watching the Obedience and Agility demos, listening to the band, participating in the raffles,chatting with exhibitors, gathering info, and shopping for some unique, interesting, and/or useful items for themselves or their canines while helping a very good cause.
All in all, a very successful and enjoyable event.. Look for the 8th Annual Walk\'n\'Wag around this time next year!
For more information about GSRNE and see photos of some wonderful dogs in need of good homes, please visit GSRNE\'s website,at www.gsrne.org, or call our 24 hour Hotline (978)443-2202.
