I Died Today

Dear Mom and Dad,

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge .

Would I still be at home if I hadn't chewed your shoe? I didn't know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn't get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't barked? I was only saying, "I'm scared, I'm lonely, I'm here, I'm here! I want to be your best friend."

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn't make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn't pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.
Love, Your Puppy

This is what happens to over 90% of the dogs that walk through the Shelter Doors.

The Story Of Alexi A German Shepherd Dog

I love dogs which is why I began to Rescue Dogs in High Kill Shelters with 2 friends of mine. We call ourselves "The Desperate Housewives of Dog Rescue". All 3 of us are German Shepherd Lovers, so we looked for Shepherds in High Kill Shelters. In our search we discovered hundreds of Purebred German Shepherds in the LA Kill Shelters. That is where Alexi's story will begin. Alexi is a very sweet 6-7 Year Old Male German Shepherd that was taken in as a stray. This poor boy looked like he had a tough life, yet he was so gentle and loving. We decided this was one we were going to save. He only had hours to live when we came to his Rescue. We contacted the Shelter and made arrangements to get this poor dog out of there. Normally, all dogs that are released from their facility must be spayed or neutered before leaving. According to the Vet at the Shelter our poor Alexi could not be neutered due to being 30 lbs. underweight and he had a severe ear infection (which we were not aware of at the time). We had to bring Alexi to another Vet to get a Heath Certificate and his Rabies Shot. This Vet also agreed Alexi could not be neutered. Now mind you all this is written on documentation that needs to travel with this dog. So Alexi has all this info on his paperwork stating: Do Not Neutered due to being Under-Weight (Emaciated) - Severe Ear Infection (he was put on Antibiotics) - Very Warn Incisors/Canines and Premolars with Heavy Staining and Dental Tarter/Plaque Buildup was also noted on his paperwork.

With his paperwork all set and Vaccines done, Alexi was ready for his trip to begin to his new home! We had made arrangements with Mid Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue in Maryland to take Alexi. He would be placed in a Foster Home until his Forever Home could be found. We flew Alexi from LA to Newark New Jersey where he would be picked up by my fellow partner Tina. (We only fly dogs on Continental Airlines because they have a climate controlled compartment for Pets. Also, we always use the Last Night Time Flight direct to Newark. Tina and her husband picked up Alexi and just loved him! He was so gentle and friendly she wanted him herself (She already has 3 dogs or she would have!). They drove Alexi to Maryland to his new temporary home. This is where his life just fell apart and this once Happy Rescued Dog is now living in Hell and fighting for his life!!

When Poor Decisions Can Mean Death 

By Penny Eims Dog News Examiner

A recently rescued dog's life is hanging in the balance.

The dog, a German shepherd named Alex, was "saved" from a high kill facility in Los Angeles, CA. Alex made his way to the East coast where he was taken in by the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd Rescue.

When Alex arrived he had several health issues which needed to be addressed. Alex was severely underweight and suffering from a painful, chronic untreated ear-infection.

Though the California vets had advised that Alex should not be neutered until he had gained weight and his ear problem was addressed, the veterinarian with his new rescue went forward and he was altered - just days after the cross country flight.

Shortly thereafter, Alex went home with his new foster handler with instructions to keep him quiet - allowing him time to heal. But the very next day, it is reported that Alex was taken to an off-leash dog park. (Violation of Mid Atlantic Fostering Protocol) Though he made it through the outing without serious issue, it was likely a poor move on the part of his foster family. The foster home had no bond with Alex at this time - his full temperament was not known - and, he was still recovering from surgery and a severe infection. It is reported that Alex was confronted by several dogs at the off-leash park, but he did not react. No reaction would indicate that Alex is not a vicious, dog-aggressive German Shepherd. (I would also like to add that this Foster Mom had placed a "PRONG COLLAR" on this poor dog which was left on him continually -Violation Of Mid Atlantic Protocol)

The next morning, things seemed to fall apart. It is alleged that Alex got into a tangle with one of the foster home's dogs. The foster handler attempted to intervene and in the process, was bitten (rule number one - do not put your body parts into the middle of a dog fight - it will not end well).

Though dog fights are not unheard of - especially when new dogs are thrown into the mix, and especially in light of the stress that this dog had been through with the surgery, illness, and cross country flight - all hot on the heels of being in a stressful animal control facility - Alex was deemed "dangerous". Now, his life literally hangs in the balance.

The board members of the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue are torn over whether or not Alex should be saved. Some want to fight for his life - others feel that he should be put down. (The BODs voted 4-3 to kill our beloved Alexi.)

Currently, Alex is housed at the Anne Arundel County Animal Control. Unless the board members of the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd Rescue appeal the decision to euthanize him - he will die.

Regardless of the fact that this dog has been in a highly stressful environment - while recuperating from surgery.

A Facebook page has been created for Alex - Save Alex the German Shepherd Dog

Those fighting for Alex's life have also created a petition - Click Here To Sign The individuals who created the Alex Facebook page are pleading for people to email the board of directors at the Mid-Atlantic German shepherd rescue.

If just one board members agrees that Alex's life is worth saving, the rescue will stand a chance of getting Alex released from the county animal shelter. Polite correspondence voicing your questions and/or concerns can be directed to the rescue at this address: BOD@magsr.org.

A dog bite should be taken seriously - however, the circumstances surrounding that bite must be taken into account. Was Alex displaying the behavior of a vicious dog, or that of a dog reacting to a stressful situation? Was Alex biting due to outright aggression, or was it reactionary and provoked by bad circumstances? Was the foster handler bitten because hands were in the middle of a dog fight (where they shouldn't have been in the first place)? Or, did Alex seek the foster handler out and viciously attack without provocation? If nobody fights for Alex, those questions will never be answered. His cross country trek and pull from a high kill facility will all be for naught.

By Penny Eims
Dog News Examiner

Bold Print info was added by Barbara Young

The Fosters Side Of The Story

By Penny Eims Dog News Examiner

On the explicit condition of anonymity, an insider to the Alex bite situation has released the foster home's own play by play recount of the events leading up to the attack which has put this rescued German shepherd's life in danger.

Many people following this situation have commented that the story being shared seems to ebb and flow like the tide - changing by the day, sometimes by the hour.

This email (received late last night) is the only "firsthand" information which has been provided to me.

According to the source, this is the email which was sent out by the foster handler to the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue volunteers:

"Thought I would update everyone on Alex, Picked him up Friday at the vets. He had been bathed, shots and neutered. Rode well in the car home. Walked with Sugar and Tanner as soon as we arrived. Fed him 3 times a day chicken and rice with kibble. Would gulp it from the bowl so I hand fed him, took it gently. Friday night went well, slept in crate calmly. Saturday morning went to Quiet Waters dog park. Marie Hubrick meets there with her pack every weekend. Wanted to see how he reacted to other dogs, he did not seem to like my male Tanner. He tried to hump everyone. Marie's male GSD rolled him, and her pit snapped him off, he was fine with both. Off lead the whole time. Would stay by gate, Marie said a lot of rescues do that looking for their old owner. Walked daily with my pack Sugar and Tanner. Slept well in crate Saturday. Sunday morning 6am I was outside with all dogs going potty. Alex had his prong and a 20 ft lead because he seemed to not like Tanner. He had had a prong on since I picked him up on Friday. I was still in PJ"s when, for the first time, Alex went up at Tanner and Tanner went up to meet him. Alex came off with a snap of the prong and a strong no. Being the dominate dog handler that I am, I attempted to get Alex to go down. He yelped, from the prong. (I was very calm in my urging him down) I knew I had made a big mistake. Within seconds he bit me, I grabbed him by the neck to stop the bite and down we went , with me sitting on him. He gave up instantly. My dogs were waiting by the gate. I have 18 stitches, and a whole new outlook on prongs and the powerful dogs we bring in. We are waiting for Animal Control to decide his fate."

Those following this ever-changing story were provided with a statement by one of the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue volunteers yesterday.

It should be noted, the emailed "official" statement which was published yesterday is from one of the volunteers who is not in favor of appealing the county animal control's decision to euthanize Alex.

There are other members of the rescue organization who are passionately fighting to save Alex's life.


Please Enjoy A Video Made In Honor Of Alexi (Be sure to have your sound on)

Donate To Alexi's Defense Fund

Friends of Alexi is a 501(c)(3) non profit tax exempt organization which is raising funds to support Alexi's expenses related to the appeal and getting him to safety.

Donations For Alexi's Legal Defense
THE COST OF HIS DEFENSE WILL INCLUDE ATTORNEY FEES, FLYING IN WITNESSES, EXPERTS, A BEHAVIORIST, VETERINARY EXPERTS, REHABILITATION, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.

You can also mail a Check or Money Order to:

Friends of Alexi
P.O. Box 524
Arnold, MD 21012

OR

Chip-In Page (Click Here)