The Weimaraner Named Shayla.
Shayla was rescued from her hell in June 2009. Hell, meaning a life of hell. She was one of the lucky ones to be in a no-kill shelter that really works hard to make dogs comfortable. Since being adopted Shayla has really blossomed. She is no longer that broken dog, instead she is filled with happiness and affection to share to all. No longer wild and out of control. Instead she knows her commands and has some manners. We still have a lot of work to do, but she is really happy.
The abuse that Shayla endured was not physical as far as we know. There seems to be no signs of her being physically abused. She was physically healthy when adopted. However, her mental state was another story. Shayla endured mental abuse and that is part of what we are working on, to undo the damage.
Mental abuse? Yes indeed. A puppy by the age of nine months being ripped out of four homes (her view is her packs) and being tossed back into a kennel in a shelter is mental abuse. How much of this can a puppy take? Confusion, sadness and hopeless sets in. They feel it. Go to your local shelter and you can tell the dogs that have been there the longest. It shows in their eyes. Shayla said it all with her face. She looked so broken in that kennel the first time I laid my eyes on her. She had her ears back, looked at me with a face with out that glimmer of hope. I talked to her and she perked up and just begged me to touch her. Shayla clawed at the kennel and jumped to try and get to me. She just wanted so bad to feel that human touch and comfort.
I opened the kennel that day and it forever changed my life.
Life as she knew it.
Shayla spent the first nine months of her life being a victim of her own breed. Weimies are the "Ghost Dog" and to many their appearance is stunning. Their amber to blue eyes mixed with an almost metallic looking coat draws attention. They are used in advertisements all over and many talk about owning one someday. Yet, very little actually understand this breed. Weimaraners are a very difficult breed to own. They are very loving, Velcro dogs, your shadow and will protect you. They are also very hyper, very stubborn and they really dislike being away from their owner. They have a prey drive, run more then walk and will knock your kids over. Counter surfing, garbage picking and chewing are all traits that Weimie owners will share together. They must be physically and mentally worn out everyday to keep them calm in the home. With out obedience training they are out of control. That is why they end up in pounds! To much energy and pains in the butts.
Shayla was brought in the first time as a small puppy. No clue really why she was surrendered the first time. I am assuming it is because she lacks that hard pray drive that most Weims have. She isn't a hunting dog. Shayla was adopted out and returned because she had to much energy. Obviously, they had no idea what a Weim is. Again Shayla went home and was adopted and again she was brought back. This time it was because she was jumping up on children and knocking them over. Typical Weim. They can be trained to stop that behavior. There she sat waiting and confused. Shayla was not able to form a real attachment and when she started to try it was ripped away from her. Her life consisted of sitting in a kennel at a local shelter. A lot of time in a kennel. To the point I can't get her in one to this day, she hates them.
Life Changes
My sister was adopting a cat and she asked if I wanted to go with. I was not really wanting to go because all my life I avoided pounds like the plague. I didn't want to feel. I didn't want to feel the hurt, the ache in my chest. How would I be able to leave them all there? Avoiding it was how I felt was the right way to cope with the situation. That day I went with my sister and faced my fears.
I was standing up by the front and I could see a Weimaraner in a kennel right by the door of one of the dog rooms. The dog looked so depressed and bummed. Edging closer and closer to her kennel, looking at her, watching her. I couldn't help but go in and stand in front of her kennel. I read her card on her kennel and it said "Shayla" followed with "VERY HIGH ENERGY!" and I looked down to see this female Weimaraner looking up at me with the saddest face. Ears all the way back and the look of pure pity. I felt for her.
They offer leashes to take dogs out for walks so I went and grabbed one. The least I could do. She saw me come back to her kennel and she jumped up and clawed at the kennel. Begging me to open it and just touch her, be with her and love her. The leash was on and outside we went to the play yard. Amazing dog she was. She was free! She ran and ran in the play yard and would come back to me. I let her run out there and it was time to take her back in. It was hard to put her back in that kennel. I walked away with a heavy heart that evening.
That night all I could think about was Shayla. I went to their website and looked her up and that is when I read how many times this girl has been in and out of homes. My heart broke for her. I wasn't looking for a dog at the time. I didn't have a fenced in yard for a large dog. There really just seemed no way possible I could own her. I couldn't stop thinking about her. That night I couldn't sleep and the next morning I told my sister "I have to go back and see her". My sister knew I was bringing her home. I was still in denial!
My sister, her two kids, my daughter and myself all headed out to the shelter. We all took Shayla back out in the play yard and she just seemed so happy with all of us. I decided to take her home on a 24hr trial. I wanted to see how she would be with the three cats in the home.
Shayla has gone back to the shelter since but only to visit since that day.
A New Life
Shayla was out of control and had no obedience training when I got her. A family effort is given to train her. She has to earn everything she gets even if that means just sitting when we say "sit" to get a treat. She runs like crazy at the dog park almost every day, goes for walks and spends a lot of time mentally being stimulated with training.
Over all she is a great dog and never will be going back. Far from perfect. She can not stand to be in a kennel and she hates being left home. We are working with her and are up to about two hours of her being home alone. She is so scared of losing us. In time I know with dedication she will overcome this.Yes, she is a pain in the butt at times. She is stubborn. A hard core counter surfer and garbage picker! Hyper as ever but we have her trained to curve that in the house. She is the most loving dog I have ever owned and always my shadow. Follows me everywhere and always watching where I am. She protects her home and her family. Knows she is loved and just loves to cuddle with us on beds and the couch. I just can not imagine our lives with out her now. She makes us laugh all the time and she really is a blessing!
Motivation
Shayla has changed my life. She reminds me every single day I look at her to do something for homeless animals. I started to volunteer at the shelter that gave her so many chances. It feels good to spend time with the animals there. I am able to leave with out bringing them home! I leave with a good feeling I did something for them. I gave some of my time to them. It means the world to them.
She motivates me to spend the time that I do on this site. It is helping animals out there suffering and those that are homeless. Educate the public and bring about awareness. I know she made me more aware. I can't thank her enough for dragging me out of my "look away" attitude.
Yes it hurts. I do cry often at what I see. My heart aches, that hurting feeling in my chest. I get angry and even at times feel overwhelmed. I keep plugging away though on a mission. I have my moments of smiles, laughing and joy too and that makes it worth it!
We love you Shayla!
