Mr. Gunner

Update - Going home!!

Note from the Second Chance Team - Today, Saturday 4/30/2005, Gunner has found his new home. Debbie came all the way from Spokane to meet Gunner and they both fell in love immediately. We would like to extend our thanks to Amy and the good folks at the Calaveras Humane Society. It is not easy to think outside of the normal way of doing business. And to be quick enough to consider, evaluate and move on new opportunities is a mark of their commitment to the animals. When Margaret and Brian assembled the team and established the program, the CHS folks were there to take advantage of the offer. The result? One life saved and another person's greatly enriched. Some would say that it is a lot of effort and expense for just one life out of the hundreds ended every year and that it's just a drop in the bucket. Only one life saved? Yes. A drop in the bucket? We don't think so. Just read Gunner's story below and you decide. For now, we celebrate and look forward to helping save another.

Great News! Today (4/30/05) I'm going to my new home!! Before you read my story, let me tell you about today. Everybody was very happy this morning. I could tell something was up. Well, in the afternoon this real nice lady came over. She was different than my usual visitors that come to play. I really liked her and she took me for a couple of long walks to my favorite places. Then we played fetch with my favorite ball. After a couple of hours the humans talked a bunch and everybody had nothing but big smiles. I found out that I was going home with this great person! Hurray! Well, I think this means that I graduated from school. I can't wait to start my new life. I guess there must be a lottery because everyone says I won! But I think there is a big alpha dog somewhere that is looking after me and the sun was shining on me today. So, thanks everyone!! If I remember I'll try and post a note about my new place, but I think I'll be pretty busy. Lots of playing, hiking and camping are in my future. So goodbye to all my friends here at school. Oh, I also left my kennel clean and neat for the next lucky resident. I hear another is coming next week! I hope he makes out as well as I did!

We hit it right off. Fetch is my favorite!	Here I'm leaving the kennel for the last time.
I was ready to go and just jumped right in! I don't know what they were so surprised about?!	One last goodbye, and I hit the road! Good luck to all my friends and don't worry about me, I'll be fine!

Hi! My name is Gunner, at least that what it is now. I’m staying at Twin Cedar K9 and learning all kinds of new things. They say I’m a big boy, a German Shepherd Dog. At the vet’s the other day I weighed in at 104 pounds. They said I had great manners there, I guess the vet liked me! They are nice humans at Foothill Veterinary Clinic. My age is about 2 years and they told me that my health is great! They also said I will soon be  neutered, whatever that means. All I know is that I am a big happy guy that loves to play and have fun anytime. I even like cats although they are kind of rude, but I am gentle with them.

Things were not always this happy. One night my owner got me up and I thought we were going for a car ride. I love that and ride like a real gentleman. Well, we pulled up to this strange place and he stuffed me into this dark and cold box. It was tight! But, I thought it was a game and I always love to play so I just waited for him to come back. But, he never did. After a really long time some nice strangers opened the box and were as surprised as I was! They let me out and all kinds of new stuff happened next.

I went through a couple of different cages and places, then things quieted down. Next I all saw were some long faces, I didn’t know what was next, but no one was very happy. But the next thing I knew I was going for another car ride. Did I say that is one of my favorite things? And then I was meeting another nice person and I went into a clean bright new cage. It is pretty big, I think they called it a kennel.

So now I spend all my time learning new things, meeting new people and other dogs. Some are like me, some are really little. What’s up with that? Anyway, I have learned to be nice and get along. I know that if I don’t like something I just go away. They taught me that.

So far, I know how to heel, I can sit when asked and even lie down. You can tell me this with me next to you or I’ll even do it if you’re standing in front of me. I am learning hand signals. I’ll happily come over when you call and I am going to learn to leave something alone when you ask. I really like this part of my day. I learn fast and it truly makes me happy to know that I am doing something right! I wish everyone could have spent this time with me.

Sometimes I get to just run and play. I love to play fetch. If you throw a ball, I’ll run and get it for you. That’s my job! I also greatly enjoy playing with other dogs here. I don’t fuss or make any problems because that’s not allowed. Did I say I learn quickly?

Well, I can’t wait for my permanent home to come along. I’m almost done here at school. They say this is my second chance, I don’t know what that means, but all I know is there is someone out there that is right and ready for the perfect companion… me, Gunner!

Hey, it's me again! I wanted to update everybody on what I've learned. Everyone that comes to work with me seems really happy. I don't know what is so hard, all they have to do is tell me what they want, and if they are clear I'll do it. So, now I can do something called auto-sit. It's simple, when I'm walking next to you and you stop I just sit down. You don't need to ask or even look at me, I just do it. Also, now I can do my sits and downs while in motion. When we're walking along, just ask or signal for me to sit or down and I'll do that. I stay there in position and you can continue walking. Pretty good, eh? My recalls are really great, but watch out because sometimes I come running and don't quite stop in time. But usually I do, especially if you remind me, and sit in front of you. Then I just learned to walk around your right side and sit next to you in the heel position. It done at a signal. They got all excited when I learned that and called it a "finish right". But it's no big deal, all I need is a little time and teaching. So, that's it. Oh, tomorrow (4/26/05) I get to get and do that neuter thing they've been talking about. I still don't know what that is, but I trust the people here so I'm not worried. And the rumor around school is maybe someone might want to take me home! I can't wait, I'm going to be on my best behavior for that! Well, that's all for now... See ya later!!