by Laura Hansen
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The dog's name was Star. What an unusual name for a German Shorthaired
Pointer. When you saw the dog, you understood how he got his name. He
was liver/roan, and the liver/roan went up half of his face. On top
of his head was a You would think that anyone who used his imagination so well to name
a dog would be devoted to the animal, wouldn't you. However, when Star,
at 16 months of age, became ill and was diagnosed with parvovirus, the
owner told the veterinarian in San Francisco to put the dog down--he
did not want to pay for treatment. That is when Star's ascendancy began. The veterinarian and his staff refused to kill the dog. They had the owner sign him over, then treated him for his illness--all out of kindness and love of animals. After Star was cured of parvo, the question was what to do with him. He was very shy, but he had a fine temperament. How could they find a proper home for him? |
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They phoned GSP Rescue and asked for help. When I heard the dog's story, I was very touched and asked if I could come to the hospital to see him. They gave me directions to the Animal Pet Farm Hospital on Mission Street, and I drove to the city to see him. My heart gave a little twist when I saw him shyly sitting in the back of the cage, tail wagging, but afraid to come up to the front to be petted. He seemed to be saying, "You look nice, but I am afraid of people". I told the kind people at the hospital I would do my best to do something for Star and would call them in a couple of days.
The problem was that I already had a houseful of dogs. As Star was a shy backyard dog with no training, he was going to take special care and would need a lot of work to get him ready for a proper home. I could not ask my friend Bill to take on a responsibility like that, and he was the only one who was willing to take on a foster dog for me. What should I do?
I phoned Jane Garassino in the Napa Valley that night and talked to her. I described the dog and said I was going to get him out of the hospital and take him to board with my vet, Dr. Han, but until I placed some of my brood, I would not be able to take him home and work with him. Jane immediately said, "Shall I ask Jane Nelson if she would take him for a while. She has that wonderful kennel setup from her days as a breeder". I told Jane G. that I didn't want to do that, as I knew Jane's husband, Dick had been very ill. Jane G. replied that Dick was much better, and she would call Jane. Minutes later she called back. Jane N. said she would foster Star. When would he be arriving in St. Helena? That began the second phase of Star's ascendancy.
I went to San Francisco to get Star on September 6, 1995. The whole staff was thrilled when I showed them a photograph of the Nelson property in St. Helena as it was worlds away from what he had had in his past. They sent him off healthy with pats and good wishes. There was no bill for all his medical care, board and even neuter surgery.
During the two days Star stayed with my vet before going to his foster home, his vaccinations were brought up to date, and he had a bath. I stopped by to play with him each day, and he was eager for attention and petting. He obviously had a lot of personality and was starved for love.
Then the day came to take his next step forward. Star laid quietly in his crate during the drive to St. Helena. When I took him out and he met Jane, he immediately began bonding to her. Jane had prepared a large kennel for him. The doghouse was filled with soft blankets and quilts, and the run with dog toys, including stuffed animals. After introducing Star to his new quarters, we let him out in the fenced field to run. How he enjoyed it! Amazingly, if we called him, he stopped what he was doing and ran straight to us. Jane discovered he liked to retrieve, and while we were playing with him, we made an unpleasant discovery. Star had chewed out his stitches and was going to require an emergency trip to the vet for treatment.
By that time, Jane G. had arrived, and all three of us plus Star went off to see Dr. Gold at the St. Helena Veterinary Hospital. That episode was the last unpleasant one before Star began his new life.
As Star was shy and unsocialized and had had little training, Jane N. and Jane G. began a crash program to help him overcome his deficiencies. Jane N. decided to do what she did for all her puppies to socialize them--trips into town to walk on leash, visits to the neighbors, and a lot of attention and affection.
Jane N. had warned her neighbors that a new dog was coming to stay, and he might be noisy for a while. Good thing she warned them, as Star never shut his mouth the whole first night he was there. Poor Jane and Dick got little sleep. Over a period of time, Star adjusted and slept quietly at night, but those first days were pretty traumatic for all concerned.
When Star was fully recovered from his wound infection, Jane G. began his obedience training. She found him extremely intelligent and quick to learn--but a bit bull-headed, like many of our Shorthairs. Jane N. had never done any obedience training, but she soon learned the ropes and also worked Star each day. Of course, the goal of all the training and attention was to develop Star's self-confidence and self esteem, two characteristics that shy dogs lack. He made wonderful progress. Both trainers were delighted at the rapid change in Star's behavior.
Of course, as Star gained confidence, he grew more mischievous and playful. Jane N. said she and Star had a constant battle over his bedding. He would drag it out of the doghouse, she would stuff it all back where it belonged, and he would promptly pull it all out again. This went on all day long, much to Jane's annoyance. It is so aggravating to wage a losing battle with a pup who has an endless supply of energy.
During his initial days with Jane N, she analyzed his behavior problems and was able to make a good guess at how he had been treated in his old home. He was more afraid of men than women. He was terrified of a broom, and he was afraid of anyone who had something in his hand when he approached Star. Probably he had been noisy in the backyard, and people threw things at him, and possibly swatted him with a broom. Obviously, he had been physically abused, and that experience had to be overcome using positive reinforcement techniques.
Then a really amazing series of events began when I received an assisted call from a young deafened woman through CRS (CA. Relay Service). She expressed an interest in the possibility of a dog with the potential attributes necessary to train as her canine companion, signal dog. Her beloved Kelly, a certified hearing dog obtained through the SFSPCA Hearing Dog Program, had escaped through a broken car window after her car was vandalized.
Four days of constant searching generated much public interest. Word was out, and the community conducted a publicized search. Following an anonymous tip, the search was called off early. There, along side of a nearby freeway, was Kelly's trademark--her license--the blaze orange Service Dog collar she wore at all times. Tragically enough, reliable sources reported having witnessed Kelly thrown from a car onto the freeway median close to where her collar was retrieved.
Jennifer, once again, was placed on the waiting list with the SFSPCA Hearing Dog Program. Several months passed, the hopes of a potential "match" growing more and more remote. Feeling lost without Kelly's companionship and no longer having the assistance of her "extra ears", the news media described Jennifer as "living in a world of silence".
Seven months passed, and Jennifer was still not matched up with that "special dog". She ached for another companion and missed having a hiking buddy. She decided to take the responsibility of training the "right" dog on her own. She knew within her heart that somewhere out there, the dog was waiting.
Jennifer's teaching subjects consisted of Environmental Art, Horticulture, and Communications Skills for young, recovering mentally ill students as well as Mental and Physical Fitness classes with the older adults. She also worked with Alzheimers patients. In addition to these activities, Jennifer had just begun teaching Beginning Sign Language courses at Alameda High School (ironically, Jane N's alma mater). Since her dog would be exposed to such diverse populations day in and out, it was important for that "right" dog to be compatible with all these various students.
At the same time Jennifer took up her search, Jane G. was approached by an associate in the real estate office, asking what dogs were available for adoption, as her sister had expressed an interest in the German Shorthaired Pointer breed. Trish (Jane's associate) had promised to ask Jane G. if the dog she had talked about, Ranger, was still available, and if so, to let her know, as her sister, Jennifer, might be interested in him. Jane also mentioned Star to Trish. Knowing Jennifer had an interest in astronomy and had recently purchased and registered a star honoring Kelly's spirit, Trish said, "Oh, he has the perfect name too!".
Meanwhile, as I had promised, I had sent Jennifer a listing of all rescue dogs available which included a brief description of each dog. After serious consideration, Jennifer narrowed her search down to just one dog on the list and decided it would be worth the effort to make a trip to the Napa Valley to meet Star.
Since her sister Trish works for a veterinarian in the surrounding area, Jennifer proceeded to call to see if Trish had heard of Jane Nelson's kennel. As she got a constant busy signal, Jennifer guessed Trish was talking to their mother, as both lines were busy. Jennifer got through to her mother first. Her mother excitedly told Jennifer, "Call you sister right away! She has great news. The dog is still available, and his name is STAR!" Jennifer, taken by surprise exclaimed, "I know allllll about Star!! I was just calling to see if Trish knew of the kennel where I am scheduled to meet Star!!
The next step was to introduce Jennifer and Star. That fated meeting took place, and I got excited phone calls from both Jane's about the initial visit. Shy Star ran right up to Jennifer, and she was equally attracted to him. She took him out for the afternoon to get acquainted and to see if he had the traits she needed for training a dog to service her and her needs. Since Jennifer herself had become a volunteer recruiter for the Hearing Dog Program, traveling from shelter to shelter, administering the program's initial sound and social tests, she knew what was needed. Star indeed had the attributes required, (minus the socialization), and thus, Star would grant her wish. Arrangements were made to finalize the adoption after she got preparations made for him at home.
The following weekend Jennifer brought her boyfriend, Randy, to meet Star. Jennifer explained to him a bit about Star's abusive past and told him not to take it personnaly if Star showed any signs of apprehension around him. Again Star greeted Jennifer with his happy, wagging tail and silly smile. Astonishingly, he then ran to greet Randy. He appeared to not fear that particular man. Star went on a long hike in the mountains above the Napa Valley with Jennifer and Randy and even went swimming with them in a small lake. They were all tired and happy when Star was returned to his kennel. Arrangements were made for Jennifer to pick Star up the following weekend.
Meanwhile, Jane G. had really picked up the pace in training and socializing. Star was drilled in obedience training exercises and taken to work with Jane for socialization. She said his confidence had increased, and he was a truly happy-go-lucky, loving little guy.
Jane N. said Star seemed to sense there was a change coming. He was no longer satisfied in his kennel, but waited eagerly at the gate for someone to come and take him out into the wide, wonderful outside world. He was ready for a new life. Star's own star was again on the rise.
On November 5th, Star's big day arrived. Jennifer came to adopt him. They spent the first night of their new life at her sister's house in the St. Helena. It was very obvious that this was a whole new experience for Star. As he did at Jane N's, Star spent much of the night wagging his tail as he walked around collecting all the dolls, blankets, doilies and anything else he could move from place to place--all the time wearing that silly smile of his. The next day, off they went to San Leandro and the start of a new career for Star.
We have heard regular reports of Star's adjustment to life as a hearing-dog-in-training. Jennifer says he has learned sign language quite readily, and he is trying to overcome his shyness when she takes him with her on all her activities. She is continuing his obedience training and has brought him to the Napa Valley to work him with Jane G. and to let him play with Ranger and see his first foster Mom, Jane Nelson (now Gramma Jane). Star is almost ready to take his first series of tests to be come a certified hearing dog.
All of those who helped Star wish Jennifer and Star a long and active life together. Who would have expected such a wonderful ending for a dog that was abandoned because he was sick? It shows, doesn't it, that miracles still happen. Of course, this particular miracle was helped along by the kind people at the vet hospital who saved the dog's life and then contacted rescue, by the two generous ladies who made such an effort to help Star overcome his sad, empty past, and of course by Jennifer, who saw in Star something that was truly worthwhile.
Footnote: This story is on going. Star has not reached his zenith. I have heard from Jennifer several times. She plans to update this story. At any rate, Star has made a huge difference in her life and continues to be her ears.
Jennifer's poem to Kelly, her first service dog, based on a poem by A. Alden.
KELLY
Turn off all the timers
Disconnnect the telephones
Cause Kelly's up in Heaven
Chewing sweet and juicy bones
Silence all the door knocks
Beat the soundless drum
Hike that beautiful hillside
And watch the day be done
She was
My North
My South
My East
My West
My work day's week
My Sunday's rest
My hope
My spirit
My guiding force
My reason
My purpose
My future's course
She was
My noon
My midnight
My tuneless song
I thought we had forever
What could possibly go wrong
My joy
My laughter
My rain
I wish I could tell you
How much I pain
The stars they are not wanted now
Put out each and every one
Pack up the moon in a paper bag
Don't forget to dismantle the sun
Store away the oceans
With the rivers if you would
For as far ahead as I can see
Nothing could come to any good
- Laura Hansen coordinates the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of California's Rescue Program. Over the years she has assisted in the rescue and placement of hundreds of shorthairs, many who have lived in her home during their fostering and recovery phase.
About the Illustration
The dog in the picture is Molly, a spayed GSP, rescued and adopted by your humble HTML editor, Judith Van Noate (aka "Mom to the Multitudes"). She would very much like to be a star in a family of his own.
by Judith Van Noate, Humanities Librarian Back to Dogs - Connections | German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue | The German Shorthaired Pointer Page
images and content © UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
Begun March 1995. Last updated on May 15, 2003.