Zak was brought to my family home as a puppy in 2016 where he instantly became a lovable hit with my little boy - The two of them were as thick as thieves. Zak had a wonderful life growing up and was often stopped and told how handsome he was and how well behaved he was.

Fast forward to that horrible year for everyone 2020... Due to my shift arrangements, lack of dog walkers due to the pandemic and other family reason I had to make the heart breaking decision to rehome Zak. I contacted German Shepherd Rescue Scotland and a meeting was arranged with Dorothy and Carolyn to assess Zak and reassure me that he would only be rehomed with a loving suitable family. On a devastating day in July 2020 Dorothy and Carolyn took Zak to be with his new forever home with one of the fosterers that fell in love with Zak and decided to adopt him permanently. I knew he was going somewhere he would be looked after correctly and have the best time ever... Still it was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am not ashamed to say there was many, many tears for the next few days.

The year had passed and we thought about Zak often, my young son often asked questions about him which I always responded that he is up in the highlands enjoying his life, running around chasing balls and having a family there that loved him. We all missed him, but we knew German Shepherd Rescue Scotland would have placed him with the environment that was meant for him.

And then life changed AGAIN!

My partner had the London Marathon on in the background whilst she was doing tasks around the house. At the perfect moment the postman came to drop off a parcel. She took it into the living room where she glanced up and saw Derek's interview where he had done a couch to 5k which ended up becoming couch to Marathon all to raise money for this amazing charity! We often looked on the Facebook page and website to check the good news stories and remember how much Zak was helped, however she remembered it had been a while so she checked the website and there he was. Zak. My Zak. The handsome boy I had to rehome just over two years prior. When I got back home not too long later I was greeted with the words every man hate... "sit down, we need to talk". Expecting the worst I asked my son to go play in his room waiting for the list of things I had forgotten to do around the house, garden, etc already preparing my excuse in my head. She then shown me her phone. I froze, I couldn't talk, I couldn't think; I just saw him, slightly older, slightly greyer, slightly fluffier (just like me!) but unmistakably Zak. I could feel the tears again but I had to do it, I picked up my mobile and called Dorothy. Zak was back in kennels due to the fosterer passing away suddenly. I knew it was a huge blow to the charity, to lose a member of the family like that; I knew it was a blow for Zak, been moved again due to no fault of his own. But I knew I had to see him, I knew if it was possible he had to come back home. Life had changed, I had moved into a new home with my partner, I no longer worked shifts, I had room again in my life to fill the Zak size hole I could never bring myself to fill after the pain of rehoming.

Dorothy and Carolyn had come round to the new house just a week later to assess the suitability of us and the house. I refused to get excited, I couldn't. If we were deemed unsuitable it would have killed me! We spoke a lot about charity, Zak and his previous life. Dorothy and Carolyn had approved us and the house and explained the next step would be to meet Zak at the kennels. We had planned to meet Zak that weekend, but of course like a child due to see their best friend I couldn't wait that long. I rang Dorothy and said we have availability to go see him the same day....... Luckily so did the kennels so off we went! He was staying at the Rescue's amazing  Kennels where he was being taken care of by the wonderful Carol.

I didn't know what to expect; Would he remember us, would he be happy to see us, has he changed, have I changed, could I hold it together in front of other people (spoiler warning, I couldn't!). Out he came, the handsome but slightly wilder looking Zak. He didn't notice us at first, he went straight to the bush to do his business. It was only a second but in my head I thought 'okay, he doesn't remember me but that's fine. We can still give him an amazing home and life'. Then he saw me. I thought he was going to pull poor Carol over as he bounded straight up to me and jumped up. He knew. I was overwhelmed and crouched down to have my moment and Zak did what Zak had always done in the past and still tries to do now... Sit on my lap. When we had our reintroductions over it was time for a walk. He walked just like he used to and I cannot overstate this point enough and I have said it a million times It was like had never been away. Throughout the walk we found out more about where he was staying before his fosterer unfortunately passed away. He had a massive garden to roam whenever he wanted, which was all Zak had ever wanted since a pup; He loves being outside. He was staying with another rescue dog – Lady. By all accounts she was another beautiful GSD, and walked all over the placid Zak. She made him know she was the boss and I just chuckled, I could imagine how Zak would just allow anyone to walk over him. Lady had already been rehomed and Zak was left behind in kennels, although amazing kennels, kennels non the less.

Once we completed the walk (one that I didn't want to end) we spent a good long time, and a few extra tears saying goodbye (it is hard to say goodbye to those big brown eyes). We knew he was coming home with us soon and we would do whatever it takes. Carol had seen how he remembered us, how he had taken to us straight away and she would be letting Dorothy and Carolyn know that if it was up to her then she would let Zak come back with us there and then.

A few calls later and one nights rest it had been decided, Zak wouldn't be staying in the kennels another day longer, he was coming home! I couldn't believe it, I was getting a second chance with my puppy and a chance to give him the life he should have had if the circumstances had allowed. We had already been to Pets at Home to restock on balls, bowls, bedding. Stocked up on treats, food and poo bags (oh so many poo bags!!)

The next day, we met a slightly less shaggy Zak. Carol tried her hardest to make him look nice but, like me, he sulks when he has to look clean and kempt! Once he had his hellos and calmed down from his excitement it was time for him to say goodbye to the kennels that had been his temporary home and start making his way to his forever home.

He was there... he was really back. I had to pinch myself repeatedly, just to make sure this was real. He was here and it was like he had ALWAYS been here. He relaxed, he found his favourite ball and we were back to playing fetch in the garden... Like before... like things had never changed. I didn't realise how much the new house was missing Zak until he was there. He slotted straight in, like the house were built with all four of us in mind.

Queue the next few weeks with many many family trips to the beach, woods, forests, etc. Keeping me company whilst working from home. Getting excited when my son comes home from school because it means all the play time. They didn't take long at all to become best friends again.

A few months later you may have seen us at Vogrie Park for the German Shepherd Rescue Scotland fun show, where Zak managed to win a rosette in the long hair category. We were fortunate enough to meet Derek in person and surprise him with Zak's story and how he was instrumental in the completion of our family. Later on in the show we managed to have a reunion between Lady and Zak. The dogs met each other before Carolyn pointed out that this was actually a reunion of adopted brother and sister!

Zak is still loving his home life and has settled so well, it is honestly like he had never been away. We could never thank Dorothy, Carolyn, Derek and the rest of the German Shepherd Rescue Scotland family enough for what they have not only done for Zak and my family but for every dog they rescue and rehome to make more wonderful families!