Fourteen weeks ago, on May 17 2025, we picked up Kaya from the kennels for a simple day date. That day changed everything.
Fourteen weeks ago, Kaya became part of our family—and we’ve never looked back. She’s grown stronger, more confident, and more at home with each passing day. Watching her come out of her shell has brought us more joy than we ever imagined.
we’re working with a brilliant behaviourist to help her gain confidence and, hopefully, learn how to play and interact more positively with other dogs.
Due to a change in her previous family’s circumstances, Angel as she was known, was surrendered to German Shepherd Rescue Scotland, who stepped in to help her find a more suitable home. Sadly, kennel life was hard on her—so hard that she lost a lot of weight. Her condition was so poor that the first vet suggested euthanasia might be the kindest option, but the rescue didnt give up on her.
Thankfully, the rescue sought a second opinion. That vet prescribed a short-term course of Trazodone to help manage her anxiety and allow her to regain some strength. It worked—slowly but surely, she began to put weight back on, enough to be considered for rehoming at the start of the year.
That’s when we saw her post—or rather Angel’spost—on the rescue’s Facebook page. We’d recently lost our beloved GSD and were heartbroken. But we knew we had more love to give and began to consider rescue. Kaya’s post tugged at something in us.
After home checks and a long conversation with Dorothy, we arranged to meet Kaya. My husband was desperate to meet her. I, however, wasn’t sure. Kaya was small, delicate—not what I thought I wanted. But then it happened.
I remember standing with Dorothy and Carolyn that Saturday morning as Kaya was led out. I turned to look—and my heart skipped a beat. We took her for a walk with the volunteers, and after a few sweet kisses from her, we left, reluctantly. We couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Two days later, we arranged another meet-up—a "date day" the following week. We didn’t want it to end. After a short discussion, we became Kaya’s foster family. She hasn’t left our sides since.
Life is just better with a German Shepherd by your side. Kaya brings us endless joy. Every day, we see more of her personality shine through—and she’s quite the cheeky wee madam.
She now weighs a healthy weight and our vets are thrilled with her progress and we’re working with a brilliant behaviourist to help her gain confidence and, hopefully, learn how to play and interact more positively with other dogs.
While Kaya is still building confidence around other dogs, she wins over every human she meets. Our local postwoman even makes a special stop just to say hello! She recently met my best friend’s daughters—and after an afternoon of water fights and giggles, the three of them became inseparable. With another friend’s son, it’s pure joy—she squeals with excitement the moment she sees him, desperate for a game of tug and a chance to smother him with love.
My parents absolutely adore her, and the feeling is mutual. They jump at any chance to dog-sit, and Kaya laps up every bit of the grandparent treatment.
Kaya is now healthy, happy, and thriving—living her very best life. And we are completely, utterly in love with her.
We’re so grateful to German Shepherd Rescue Scotland for bringing her into our lives. Kaya may be the opposite of what I thought I wanted, but she’s exactly who we needed. On this occasion, I’m more than happy to have been wrong.
