When my faithful hunter and companion Muffy had to be put
down due to kidney failure, Mrs. T and I decided she would be our last dog. I
had stepped back from upland game and duck hunting and we planned to travel a
lot upon our retirements. Good plan. Maybe not. After years of having hunting
dogs we missed those loyal companions. A year later we decided to take the
step. After some skepticism on her part, my view for a companion/guard dog prevailed. It
was to be a GSD (German Shepherd Dog). His name was Baron. It was a whole
different ballgame from my hunting dogs. He proved to be very intelligent but
also very willfull. I thought well he is German. Stubborn comes naturally. The
fact that I spoiled him rotten didn't help either.
Having no previous experience with German Shepherds, I was a
little slow on the uptake. It was several months before I realized something
wasn't right. It was his ears. They drooped. Consulting the internet, I found
out that six months was about the time they would standup. "Ok," I
thought. Patience is a virtue.
We visited our sons family in Colorado that summer. There
Baron met Hercules. They had a great time playing together. Time passed. Mrs T.
thought droopy ears were "cute". I didn't think so.
Finally, at about six months, they reached what I called the
half-mast stage. More months passed with no improvement. I consulted our vet. I
consulted the lady who did dog training and had three German Shepherds.
Desperate, I consulted the internet. There were many suggestions. Many were
"hairbrained." I chose curlers. I bought a pack, some tape and maybe
memory failing me some glue. His ears were going to stand up or else!!!!
And the next morning, prepared to begin his "treatment," I let
him out from his kennel into the snow for his morning romp. He ran off to do
his business and upon returning sat down proudly in front of me in the snow.
There it was. He had done it all on his own.
Baron. Loyal friend. Guard dog. Explorer. Hiking companion.
And member of the pack.
21 comments:
I think the thought of running around in curlers scared him straight-LOL!
Baron must have seen the curlers and read your mind. I must say I can't blame him. He looks good with his ears up.
Oh what a wonderful post. I kinda miss those cute floppy ears of puppyhood. It is kinda of amazing how it seems to just happen in a blink--they are standing up straight.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. The GSD we had before our Schatzie was named Baron...such loyal family members. I do hope you come back for more visits. I've just become your newest follower!!
val and the Girlz
Hiya Baron. My mom and dad had to say goodbye to their 11-year-old GSD, Lindsey, in February. They waited a while to bring me to my forever home. But they're glad they did. I think I'm their last big dog, so I better do a good job, huh? Nice to meet you!
Aren't you glad you changed your mind about getting another dog! I miss mine... hubby hasn't changed his mind about getting another one. He's afraid it would outlive us.
HaHa - funny story! He's a beautiful dog and wonderful companion.
too darn cute. and a very handsome boy.
What a story! And I too think the curlers did the trick! :-)
Well told. All in good time. Baron was ready to have his ears stand up that morning and not before that!
There is a wonderful book about dog training written by the Monks of New Skete, who raise German Shepherds. Have you seen it? I think you would love it. Lots of photos of their dogs- Their monastery is in New York.
Our border collie's ears are always on the move for all sorts of expressions. One of them looks like he is an air plane. Your Shepherd is a handsome guy.
We've been, supposedly, "happily petless" for 7 years. Given that our kids and grandkids and our mothers are scattered to different states, this is a practical state of being. But..... I could use a companion. Husband works long hours. But he could retire, in a year or two. Then he might want to be on the go even more.
Sure enjoyed this!
Hehehe... trying to envision him in pink curlers!
He is a great dog! Just the thought of the pink curlers probably straightened him out!
We know what you mean..we were dogless and miserable for three years before we got Chance, who is the most spoiled dog I know.
Good to hear that you spoil Baron too..looks like Mrs. T loves him too:)
Aw, I think he was cute even with droopy ears, but he does look more GSD with them standing up.
We once had a half collie, half GS. One ear stood up sometimes. the other did not. But we loved her anyway.
Great story. But I know you would still have loved Baron with floppy ears. That would always have been a conversation starter.
It is always important to have a Dog in the pack - the people-lives are not complete without them.
Licks,
Cobi
What a cutie Baron was with his floppy ears! I'm glad you didn't do anything drastic. If you breed a dog (or even a fox or wolf) selectively to be more friendly and less agressive, the ears go floppy. His early floppiness may have been a byproduct of a sweet disposition.
He must have been reading your mind!
A beautiful dog! Seeing him brings up my memdories of my GS mix .... a prince of a dog as is my present dog Taylor!
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