4/19/15:
Duke is doing great. We live on a golf course on a three acre wooded lot, and with ten acres behind our house he has a great time chasing the many chipmunks, although has not caught one yet. I think he would surprise himself if he did. John walks him for about an hour every day so he gets plenty of exercise. We had forgotten how wonderful it is to have a dog. He was weighed at the vet last week, and had gained about 5lbs. Too many biscuits over winter. He is 109lbs. The only problem we have is if he takes of after something in the woods he will not answer our commands to come back. Need to get help with that. Otherwise he is the most perfect dog In the home. Take care and thank you for taking care of Duke/BRUN when you did.5/19/14:
Our son has left Duke with us here in Wisconsin. Apartment living is not where he should be. Our home is on a golf course, our property is three acres of woods. I think Duke thinks he has died and gone to heaven. My husband takes him out for approx. one hour every day throughout the woods or down to the beach which he loves. He is a joy of a dog. So intelligent and sweet. He loves humans and other dogs. Not sure our son will ever get him back. Thank you for taking such good care of him during his stay with you.
01/2014:
I met you 2 years ago this June. I adopted A male, neutered, German Shepherd/Rotty mix named "The Duke". He smiles with his teeth when happy and was put in the shelter because he killed the neighbors chicken(s). I don't know if you remember him, but you delivered him to me here in Seattle (actually lived in Normandy Park at the time)? You said that you would like to know what happens with "The Duke" and to write to you, so here I go.
I was taking care of a senior lady who was recovering from a breast cancer and it's treatments. Her dog of 15 years had just been put down and she was despairing. It was like the life had gone out of her and she was recovering from a near death experience when I brought Duke home and got him settled before she returned from the hospital. She knew I was getting the dog, but she thought it was for me and humored me. When she met the dog, she was receptive, but hesitant. But wouldn't you know, within a few weeks that lady had changed her entire attitude on life and the dog. She was living again and it gave her another year.
I then took the dog to another doubting Thomas past dog lover where we made a new home and he once again melted all the girls hearts. That position did not last long for me and I had to move on and Duke was becoming difficult to convince to people of his goodness. So I drove him out to Wisconsin. To live - temporarily - with my parents. They own a couple acres near the woods and lake Superior, with plenty of Bear and Deer to hunt.
I love the dog, but think he is in a better place and he has already bewitched my parents, who I feel would die a little if I were to retrieve him. My parents are retired and are able to spend quality time with Duke. My father is a Norhoovian and religiously walks the dog, 40 below or not. They are reading a book (a chapter a day, out loud to each other) by Jon Katz, called "Second Hand Dog; A Love Story", about a German Shepherd/Rotty mix. It is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it.
What I would like to say is thank you. For letting that dog into my life and so many others. He is an absolute blessing. Please, if you feel like it, contact my parents. It would be so special if you did.
6/13/12:
...wanted you to know that "Duke", who is now named Brun is fantastic. He is a wonderful dog. Thank you for doing what you do.