Posted 10-08-2009, 09:23 PM
Blake, Shepherd x Rottie, DOB 02.08



His Story: Blake was brought home as a 12 week old pup to live with 2
brothers in a flat in London. They loved him dearly, but were evicted
last week and had to give him up.

Salient points: Blake is 75% German Shepherd and 25% Rottie. Sheltered
upbringing living in a flat without a garden. Good with older children
and most people, but can get nervous soon settles. Needs fairly quiet
household. Needs gentle introductions on walks and he soon settles.

Advert: Blake has the rich colouring of his Rottie lineage and the
shape and temperament of a Shepherd. Walks nicely on the lead and used
to London Park walks, but owner kept him away from dogs and always
walked him on a muzzle as he can demonstrate fear reactions. His owner
played it safe since he was attacked as a pup. He is settling well
around dogs in the kennels and doing shared walks very well. A
favourite of the staff and went down really well in the vets. He gives
off a gentle, vulnerable air. Blake could live with another confident
dog or as a only dog. He is housetrained, used to being left and non
destructive.

Blake is a loving and gentle dog who can be nervous of 'new', but
usually settles very quickly. At worst gives a couple of 'warning
barks' moving forwards. Blake has already built his confidence. He is
for the first time enjoying the free running in the paddocks of the
kennels. He needs dog experienced owners who will find he comes on
really well and will see a different 'sure' dog in 3 months post
homing. A foster place would obviously help tremendously if with other
role model dogs. Blake has head turning qualities and needs the 'right'
family who will truly adore him and all he is.

"Please note that this dog is currently in kennels and is also available for foster until a 'forever' home is found".





Blake found his forever home!Posted
16-08-2009, 03:13 PM


With the kind permission of Blake’s new forever family, here are photos
of them preparing to set off for Essex with the 'superstar' & his
new friend Tilley ...






Blake was returned on Tuesday. He had a fabulous weekend and although
he proved himself in so many areas he also showed that he isn't that
all singing all dancing dog YET! He was off the muzzle in a crowded
public area and he obviously got nervous about a person walking by
close and snapped out catching their arm. It was a shock to all and he
did draw blood. He has never been exposed to that kind of setting to
our knowledge as he owner always muzzled him on his walks. He can get
nervous with introductions and in the unfamilar. So sadly Blake has
come back and he must be given slow careful rehab. to build his
confidence, trust and skills up so he recognises he has no need to
guard and protect. Blake has gone into a foster home with other dogs to
work towards this end.

Here is an update from his fosterer...

"Hey guys well just a quick note to say Blake has settled in well so
far few issues sorting out pack order and think Spud (GSD X Collie also
fostered) is a bit upset that he doesn't have me to himself anymore,
will keep you posted, but so far so good.





We are delighted to announce Blake has
moved into his new home. He is sharing his life with a rather wonderful
'Battersea babe' who had more extreme issues than Blake in her first
few years and has since settled. Dee has just informed us that Blake
went to bed early on his first night ... a sign of how relaxed he is in
his new family.



Posted
16-11-2009, 09:25 PM
Sadly, Blake's homing did not work out and he is back with us and looking for that forever home.

A few new pictures from Lynne who walked Blake ...

"Everytime I take Blake out I'm reminded this dog never had a garden and what a pleasure he gets from running in the paddock"!


He is a magnificent beast..with a truly wonderful temperment.

He had a lovely run around the paddock and a short walk today ..."





Posted
22-11-2009, 06:49 PM



Lynne walked Blake today down at the kennels ...

"Struck me today..Blake is going to be such a wonderful dog. Choose
between a factory made cake and a homemade cake .. special ingredients
.. there is no choice! Yes the homemade cake needs time .. is more
expensive for the quality of ingredients .. but the enjoyment, the
admiration and sheer joy! So we are looking for a high quality cook; a
maestro in the kitchen 2010 Master Chef apply within"!




An update on Blake from one of our volunteers who walked him today ...

Fabulous dog!

He is very jumpy and barky in his kennels but out and about was as good
as gold. You hardly notice you have a dog on the end of your lead. I
used my cesar milan collar as my back is a bit dodgy and he looks
strong, really neednt have bothered he walks so nicely, the lead was
completely slack the whole time and where the path got narrow unlike
the others he just dropped in behind me so I could lead the way.

There is a part of the path that has a dip with water at the bottom
(bit of a ditch) I got there and said wait, which I thought might be
wishful thinking, but he did. I crossed the ditch then said ok and he
followed me.

We walked with Seb and Rhianna and he was also fine with them both. He
sniffed Rhianna's bottom a few times and normally she finds that very
annoying. However he is so handsome (and calm) that she let him.

We walked along the road for a bit and a few cars went past, he didnt
flinch at all. Didnt meet anyone but he was good with Seb.

The rest of the day he stopped barking when I walked past - I think
that he figured that I wasnt so bad after all. I gave him a large bone
(proper bone from the pet shop, none of the pretend jumbone stuff) for
the compliment.

The only thing which concerned me about him was that under that thick
coat he is so skinny, you can feel all his ribs and hip bones. He needs
someone to trust and somewhere to stay with lots of food with no need
for him to have all that nervous energy.

He is really special, and so very handsome".

Posted
25-12-2009, 09:18 AM
An update on Blake from Lynne who saw him in kennels yesterday:

"Poor Blake if ever a dog needed foster it's Blake. His coat has gone
dull, he has dropped a lot of weight and he is reactive to dogs passing
his kennel.

We had a lovely walk today and shared food and love. I got lots of
licks which I cherished as Blake isn't very gifty with his kisses.
Somedogs have such tough beginnings.




Those that breed them bleed them..."!

Posted
04-01-2010, 09:04 PM

An update from one of our lovely volunteer walkers:

“Lovely walk with Blake today. I hardly knew he was on the end of
the lead. He regularly nuzzled my hand for a head stroke and we stopped
lots of times for cuddles. He had much more of a bounce in his step and
wagged his tail a lot more.

His coat is looking better already and I think he looks much happier in himself, even after only a couple of days.

We didn't meet any dogs when we were out and about, so I sat with him
on a bench near the road and entrance to the common and watched the
traffic and people with their dogs starting their walk. He watched
everything very carefully but made no attempt to get up - he was happy
to have his chest rubbed and be told he was a good boy.

We were a bit late going back so I thought we'd better jog a bit - I chose the pace and Blake was completely in step with me.

Can't help but love this gentle, vulnerable giant. He really was on such great form -
taking treats so very gently ...




and waiting beautifully for the next one



His eyes just really get to you!
He is such a special boy Once you get past his initial wariness he is so loving. Seems to be taking our Farnham kennels by storm.

Posted
14-01-2010, 10:10 PM
Blake was really in quite good form today. He was cheerful and although
painfully thin, his coat is thick and he has a sparkle in his eye and a
lovely wet shiny black nose! It was my first time walking him and he
was sweet, kind, showed me the ropes and behaved like a perfect
gentleman.
Buddy came with us some of the way, but then we peeled off as Buddy was
being a bit overbearing and Blake just fancied a chilled walk on his
own.

The lovely Blake looking the handsome suave fellow that he is -:



And being a complete softy and enjoying a cuddle-:


Posted
01-02-2010, 10:27 PM

An update on Blake from one of our lovely walkers:

“Blake was up for walking today, but Lorraine kept him to the
softer ground for the sake of his pads. No muzzle today, he met some
other GSDs and other dogs and was fine. He is responsive and a
reassuring hand on his collar seems to give him confidence to not
worry. He was really delightful, but sadly his hind quarters are
looking somewhat wasted and his coat rather lacklustre”.




Blake would really benefit from some TLC in a foster or forever home!

Posted 4/01/2010 09:48 PM



A friend of our rescue with a photographic eye very kindly came down
today to take some photos and these really capture our gorgeous Blake -











You can see the weather wasn't fantastic but this boy has the where with all to make everything worth it -










After all that work - puppy sit




Well what's going on over there, then?




Oh those eyes




BLAKE IS STILL IN KENNELS WAITING FOR HIS FOREVER HOME


http://rescueremedies.myfastforum.org/index.php?sid=89e25f8a6bafff539364e4614fb9c0c6
thats a sad story