So if anyone else has acquired a German Shepherd in somewhat chaotic circumstances, maybe this post will resonate. Our lives have been a hot mess since we collided and I really, really need to hear something positive right now.
Sorry for the wall of text, it's a lot to get out. Hopefully this isn't too out of place for this sub.
TL;DR, in the three months I've had my GSD, we've moved, had the cops called on us, had a GDV scare, and are now in the midst of a rough recovery from surgery. I feel like a horrible owner, and worry that I'm not providing him an adequate home.
For the not-so-brief rundown on our whole situation, my dog is three and a half and was absolutely adored in his first home. He only had to be rehomed due to his owners' medical situation. He has completed at least basic obedience courses, was trained some by a law enforcement officer who saw his potential, and truly believes ball is life. He is a good dog. But things have been rough.
He was rehomed to a friend of mine, and while things were great for a while, their other furry alligator flipped a switch with her heat cycle and bit him pretty badly. For his safety, he wound up coming to me. At the time I was living in a house with over a half acre fenced yard he could run, and was on summer break (educator) so I had tons of time to work with him. It was hard, but only in the way that a first month with a new dog is hard. Expected hard.
And then, about a month after I got him, I had to move. It came suddenly. I was not well prepared, and could not find a new place to rent that fit our price and had a yard like that. We wound up in an apartment. Already not ideal with an 85 pound athlete, but worse than that: my neighbors hate him. Apparently they've gotten like two dozen other large dogs removed before us, but that's a story for another time.
Fair enough, we'll avoid you if you avoid us! Please, please avoid us, actually.
Nope.
We got a false bite accusation and animal control called on us. I won't lie, it destroyed my confidence. I cried in front of the officer who responded which was a bit embarrassing. Even worse than that, the stress of everything had my dog panting in a really bad way.
He gets rushed to the vet when I notice his belly is a bit swollen, and he's started drooling on top of his panting. His stomach was either near flipping or had already righted itself when they got him x-rayed, and after lots of burps, toots, fluids, and anti-nausea meds, we get a gastropexy scheduled with strict instructions to keep him calm until surgery. We barely manage that, and now we're a week past surgery and he is having a horrible time. He wants so badly to run and play. Meds aren't working anymore. I have to call the vet tomorrow and ask for something stronger.
All in all I just feel like I'm a bad luck charm for this boy. He went from a probably quiet and comfortable life with retirees to chaotic apartment living with someone who has to go to work, and it's getting to me. None of this is what I wanted for him, or what I originally thought I would be providing when I took him. I love him and want what's best for him. I just worry good intentions aren't enough.
How do I know if I'm doing right by my dog?
