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Hercules (so named because he is a strong boy)  

   Hercules came from an extremely bad situation.  He was critically mistreated by his owner to the point the neighbors complained to the animal control authorities.   Animal control picked him up and took him to their facility and notified us, stating they had a German Shepherd Dog who had been badly abused and neglected and was close to being dead. Two of our volunteers went to the facility and found this wonderful seven month old  German Shepherd Dog trying to wag his tail and hold his ears up and waiting to be taken to his new, safe home.

   Hercules received extensive treatment by a veterinarian and required much attention, care and love from his foster "parents."  Over a period of three and a half months, Hercules once again became a beautiful German Shepherd Dog...with personality to match.  However, to this day he still requires close watch of his health and sometimes has physical problems that were created by previous owner's neglect and abuse.  "Herc" is now a very happy dog in his new permanent home and has pretty much become one of the "poster dogs" GSDR of San Antonio.  One need only but to pet Hercules for a moment to realize that little smile on his face says "Thank You!" 

   His "daddy" is a fireman with the San Antonio Fire Department and his "mom" is a former EMS Technician and the Director of German Shepherd Dog Rescue of San Antonio.  Guess you could say he will be very well  tended to.

*  Hercules'  first few months of life were very horrific, but the rest of his 12 years were Heaven.  Although there were many visits to the vet to keep him healthy, his life after rescue was full of fun, happiness and so much love and kisses.  For years Herc was Alpha Dog of his pack of five dogs and they always respected his status.   When people came to the door and Herc knew who there were, his tail would wag so fast his whole body would move about and he would greet the person with "welcome to my home".  But, if he didn't know the person, he would start protecting his family and let the stranger know he was to be dealt with.  Like all of His Angels, God called Hercules home on January 2, 2012.  We will see him again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.  Beautiful, wonderful and so loving.  

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Freedom  

A few days after the attack on the World Trade Center, Dennis Blocker, founder of the former SOS German Shepherd Dog Rescue,  got word from the San Antonio Animal Control Facility they had picked up a stray German Shepherd Dog.  The facility would give the dog 10 days for its owner to claim him. If nobody claimed him, then on the 11th day the German Shepherd Dog would unfortunately have to be put to death in the gas chamber.  Dennis put a "Rescue hold" on the dog and was there early on the 11th day and made the Rescue.

Dennis named him "Freedom" because he was set free from the jaws of death at the animal control facility.  He would have been gone in less than 24 hours.  This, combined with the shadow of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, watching rescue dogs at work, plus all the emotions and patriotism being brought forward, made Dennis think of just how important our freedom is to us.    

For seven months Freedom remained in Dennis' home.  Skinny and very shy, he was brought back into a world of love, safety, happiness and FOOD.  He put on weight and developed into a handsome German Shepherd Dog.  The word was put out to our members that Freedom was now healthy and ready for adoption.  

Well...the word really spread because a prospective adoption family came forth from Kansas wanting to make Freedom a member of their home.  It's a long way from Kansas to San Antonio!  After the required adoption application and check by Dennis on the applicant, it was determined that Anita and Dub would make the perfect "parents" for Freedom.  If there was ever any doubt about their desire to take Freedom home, it was erased when they drove all the way from Kansas to San Antonio to pick him up.  That's dedication to a German Shepherd Dog!

Freedom now lives in Kansas (where it snows once in a while) and is VERY happy with his fellow Rescue German Shepherd Dog, "Apache" and a Labrador Retriever named " Buck".  They all run together on a farm and have lots of room in which to be free.  Freedom attended and graduated from Obedience School...but is still spoiled rotten.

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Tasha  

Tasha was found by Schertz Animal Control officers in August 2003.  Somehow she was on her own, eating out of garbage cans.  The officers notified Melinda, one of our foster parents, who took this sweet girl home.  Tasha was extremely scared, underweight and heartworm positive.  Simply put...Tasha was in bad shape!  With lots of love, care and attention from Melinda and her husband Shaun, Tasha has since become a healthy, well-adjusted, HEARTWORM FREE German Shepherd Dog...quite the little lady.  And...although Melinda and Shaun dearly love her and almost couldn't bear to see her go...

...Tasha was adopted by Dennis and Jeranna, who have owned and loved German Shepherd Dogs for many years.  Their German Shepherd Dog, Dusty, recently passed away at the age of 14 years.  When Dennis and Jeranna met Tasha it was love at first sight!  Over the next few months they spent quite a bit of time with Tasha because, you see...they are Melinda's parents.  Tasha fits right in at her new home.  She is a sensitive dog who has had a hard life in the past.  We suspect she may have been abused at some point because she can be very nervous and scared in certain situations.  Fortunately, she is familiar with her new home and family and has settled in wonderfully.  She has a new best friend named "Jake", a 4 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.   And as an extra benefit Tasha gets to see her former foster parents Melinda and Shaun on a regular basis (we're not sure who gets the most benefit from this).  With so much love coming from all directions, this beautiful girl will never be by herself again!

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Minna (Gracie)  

This is what it's all about!  To say that Minna (formerly known as "Gracie" after we rescued her) "has had it rough" is a huge understatement.  She was found by Schertz Animal Control with a severely broken hind leg and was very sick.  Those good people notified one of our volunteers who immediately drove up to Schertz and brought Gracie/Minna home.  It was a very long process bringing Minna back into the world.  She didn't trust anybody and quite frankly we had our doubts she would make it for much longer.  Sheri and Steve Torres fostered and nursed this wonderful little lady back to health and over a period of time Minna became a member of their family. 

A few months later...

Enter Christine and Alonso.  Minna went from a life of hell to perhaps one of the greatest dog loving families on the face of the earth!  In Christine's words  "...today she loves to go to the river and lake to swim after having been terrified of the water.  She loves going places in the car after hating the car.  She loves to go play in the snow on our yearly doggie vacation.  She is a pampered, loved member of our family.  She loves her daily walks in the park and early evening romps playing fetch in the school yard."

'Nuff said!