Geneva’s Family

What an incredible adventure, from death row to my dream home!

Hi, my name is Geneva, the dog that was turned into the shelter by my old owners. They told the shelter that I was very aggressive with everyone so that was the label that was put on me from the start at the shelter. Once a dog gets a label like that, the chance of getting out of the shelter alive is slim to none, it’s pretty much a death sentence. Who would want a dog that is supposedly aggressive? And because the shelter was lied to, they handled me like an aggressive dog and no one would even look at me. I was scared and didn’t see a way out. After a week of being in the shelter, I was visited by this really nice man and he actually took me out to the greeting area so he could get to know me. He tested me on a lot of different things and I was trying to figure out why he was doing that but I went along with it because I really wanted to show him I’m NOT my label. I am a good dog! He saw that and knew that I deserved a new beginning. I was so filled with joy because I was saved and beat the death sentence that was put on me.

I was spayed the next day at the shelter clinic and then my new foster dad came to pick me up and take me to my new foster home. We walked out of the clinic and across the parking lot to his car, I felt so lucky and free all in the same breath. After a long drive, we finally got home. He put me in a crate and all the dogs came up to sniff the crate and check me out. I couldn’t wait until I was healed from my spay surgery because I would get to play with all my foster brothers and sisters. A few days later, I got to play a little bit with everyone but I was just not feeling too well. So my foster dad took me to the doctor to see what was going on with me. Well it turned out that I got sick from the surgery the shelter did and I had to spend a couple of days in the hospital and have IV fluids to help me feel better. I eventually recovered and healed up which meant I was ready to start training and socializing so I can be ready for adoption. My foster dad worked with me on walks and I quickly learned how to act and play with dogs. Life was really starting to really turn around for me! I was learning things really fast and I was having so much fun playing with all my foster brothers and sisters and with all kinds of toys and balls.

I was finally ready for adoption so it was my turn to get a bath and get my photos taken. I soon went to my first adoption event and I was the star of the show because I’m considered a “classic” looking German Shepherd. I got a lot of petting and attention, it was really awesome! I didn’t receive any applications on me from that event but knew that there would be more events to come. I was getting used to going to events and was becoming a real pro because I knew what was expected of me and being the good girl I am, I also tried to teach the other dogs how to behave at events.

One day, an application came in for me from one of the references of a GSSH family that had adopted earlier in the year. A meet and greet was set up and we met with them at the park. The couple was very nice but the woman was a little hesitant toward me because she never had a dog before and wasn’t sure what to expect. My foster dad recommended that they do the foster to adopt program to make sure that they were a good fit for me and I was a good fit for them. They decided that would be a good idea but had to wait for their home to close escrow meaning they were waiting to move into their new home. I was excited but still a little nervous because of all the waiting. Anything could happen between now and when they were ready and I really wanted them to be my family. Well, all the worry was for nothing. The three weeks went by pretty fast and finally the day came to take the long ride out to my new foster to adopt home. We finally got there and boy, it was warm out there! My foster dad did the home inspection and everything was great so they signed the foster to adopt paperwork and he gave me a big hug and told me to be a good girl for them.

The next week, I went for walks and got lots of love from my new foster mom and dad. They spoiled me with all the toys and balls to play with. By the end of the week, I was sleeping on the bed with them. My foster mom loves to cuddle with me and we would watch movies together and have our girl bonding time. I felt so special and lucky! My foster dad fell in love with me pretty quickly too and told my old foster dad that I was staying put, I was not going to go anywhere. I am the dog for them! So my old foster dad came back for a visit and when I realized it was him, I was excited and running around because if it wasn’t for him, I may not be alive. He sat down with my new parents and they filled out the adoption agreement and then we took a drive over to the lake to get a family photo.

I could not believe that I found such a wonderful family that loves me as much as I love them. Sometimes I feel like it’s still a dream but it’s real! I am so thrilled to have the best parents ever!