Laynie’s Family

From the Railroad tracks to a Beautiful Home!

Remember me? My name is Laynie. My sister, Kalani, and I were found roaming along the railroad tracks in Lancaster. The postmaster found us and took us to a veterinary office where we met Aunt Kelly. She decided we’d be kept at the office until German Shepherd Safe Haven could take us in. She made sure we were bathed, spayed and healthy. She worked with us on some training for the next month. It was fun to be at the office, but we really needed a foster home. Our new foster dad finally came up to get us. He loaded us up in the car and off we went. We were not sure what we were in for on that road trip to his house, but we were excited anyway. Much to our delight, he had lots of other German Shepherd dogs to play with. What fun!

Now, here was the catch–there were several new rules that we had to learn because we’d always been outside dogs. It wasn’t that I disliked being inside, where the temperature was always comfortable. It was great to be out of the heat and cold. I had to be retrained on the whole potty outside thing. I also had to learn not to chew on things that were not toys. Much to my foster dads’ delight, I did eventually learn all the house rules and came to realize how life as an inside dog really should be. It was great! I got to play with other dogs and got all those wonderful toys and balls to chew on. Life was really turning around–BUT, then the real training started; you know, the really intense stuff. Sigh! I confess I was not the best student. I would defy my foster daddy and wanted to do it my way. My foster dad did not give in at all, but I still pushed him farther than I should have. He would get really stern with me and, needless to say, I would be the one that finally had to give in. It was really hard for me to do that, but it was clear that I was not going to get away with anything with my foster dad.

A few weeks later I attended my first adoption event. I did not show very well. My sister did much better! I was very nervous, I whined and got very anxious. I was not sure why I was there. I attended a couple of other events like the Farmer’s Market at the Great Park. I was slowly improving and getting better at being at these events.

Then my foster daddy decided that it was time that I go into another foster home because I had really improved. He decided to place me into Jami and Chuck’s home. I was a little nervous about it because I had to learn a whole new set of rules. Wow, it was really fun! There weren’t as many dogs, only three, but I had a big home and nice big yard. I even learned how to play with the little dog that lived there.

It was a few weeks later when I heard my foster mother talking to my old foster daddy, Tom, on the phone. She was talking about me meeting a couple that adopted Kona from GSSH last year and they wanted to add another family member. I was being cool and nonchalant. I heard her call me stubborn and said I didn’t always listen. I wasn’t stubborn…I am just a strong-willed German Shepherd…that maybe needed a bit more training. But, whatever! I am sure she meant well. I overheard heard her on the phone again a couple days later saying something about us all meeting on Thursday.

Thursday arrived and she loaded me up in the car for a long ride. We went to this nice park where I got to walk around before the “phone people” showed up. I loved all the new sights and smells. Then, they arrived! I could tell that they were really nice people. I warmed up to the man first because I tend to gravitate to them, but I quickly decided the woman was very nice too. They took me for a walk around the park and the man played with me quite a bit. They were both so kind. I started to get the feeling that I could have a wonderful forever home in my future. They spent a little over an hour with me. I was really falling for them and hoping that Tom liked them as much as I did. He must have liked them because they adopted Kona, so I am sure they would pass the “Tom test.” If everything worked out with the meeting of Kona, they would foster me to make sure I am a good fit for them. Oh, WOW! I was pretty sure I’d found my forever home.

The very next weekend, we loaded up again for a long ride to San Diego. I think my foster mother was a little sad because I could hear some sniffles every so often. I knew she really loved me.

We finally arrived. We got out and I met Kona. What a princess! She just ignored me until we got into the back yard, then she wanted to check me out a little more. I thought she wanted to play but she just wanted to know who I was and why was I in her back yard. But she kind of played and then went to lie down on her bed. I guess she was okay with me. One of Sheila and Don’s friends showed up to meet me too. Her name was Tamara. Everyone sat down to eat lunch. I got to play ball with my new daddy, Don. They filled out the foster to adopt paperwork and it was a done deal. Jami and Tom were getting ready to leave. Don decided to take Kona and me for a walk. I could hear my foster mom, Sheila and Tamara all crying and I was thinking why is this so sad? I am hoping that it was happy tears, which I am sure it was. I went on my way for a good walk with my new sister and dad.

For the next month, I got to do some traveling between our San Diego and Palm Desert homes. It was always fun to spend time between both of them. Boy did that month and half go fast.

One day my old foster dad showed up and I was so happy to see him, but wondered why he was here. He said, “Laynie I am here to finalize your adoption.” I am sure I squealed I was so excited! I loved this home and really wanted to stay here forever! Aunt Tamara showed up with Bear and we finalized my adoption paperwork. We took a family photo. That was fun because I was too excited to stand still. It took a little effort, but we finally got a good one.

I miss my sister, Kalani, but I know she is enjoying her new forever home. Daddy Tom knew it, and I also understand, that it was ultimately for our own good to be separated. I am just so relieved that I am not on the streets anymore and that I met the perfect family!