After contacting German Shepherd Rescue in June 2017 I was delighted to be accepted to adopt. My family saw and fell in love with Harley at our first visit (even though we said we would not make our mind up immediately). We were given his history and decided to arrange frequent visits to the kennels to walk and groom him so he felt comfortable with us, especially since he had been in the kennels for over a year. When the date was agreed to bring him home we were so delighted, the house was not a real home without one of these beautiful intelligent creatures after loosing our old boy ( also a German Shepherd) a year and a half before.

He has settled in so quickly as part of the family, everyone who visits can't believe how laid back he is and is soon recruited in a game of chase or hide and seek. Walking has been improved with a harness and halti so he doesn't pull, his socialising is getting better and he is no longer perturbed by strangers we meet while out. Meeting other dogs can be varied depending on whether they are on or off the lead or reactive to him, but he is getting much better and training is ongoing .Every walk he goes on he returns with a stick usually the biggest he can manage, and any opportunity he has to go into water is taken with relish.

He is really starting to show his character and loves to make everything a game whether it is with the towel after drying him or with his grooming brush, although I try to be firm he has a real twinkle in his eyes and almost seems to be smiling, who could resist that!

There is still more work to do with him as he has to accept my old horse, at present he is making a fuss but he is not aggressive and I know we will get there with patience and perseverance.

Although we have only had Harley for a short time he is already so loving, loyal and obedient and we are so grateful for all the effort, care, time and advise that everyone has given us from the German Shepherd Rescue to enable us to have such a treasure to be a part of our family.