The kids otherwise known as Samson and Delilah are in fact two long haired German Shepherds we adopted from the GS rescue in L.A. They had been found matted, hurt, hungry and scared. A woman noticed them as Delilah tried to help Sam walk. She called her friend who rescued Shepherds and arranged for them to be picked up.
Extremely underweight the dogs were taken to the local shelter. Sam the bigger of the two hid in a kennel and would not come out. It was noted that they thought the dogs had been abused and/or out on their own too long. Sam had a bad paw and even now you can see what looks like trap marks.
They were then boarded and cleaned up, fed well and exercised by Robin who ran the rescue. She got them the medical attention they needed (Part of Del's ear had to be taken off). Their pictures were put on the website and that is where we found them.
They are very beautiful, and their coats are silver, grey black and tan sable. And very big. Del has amber eyes which makes her very spooky looking. Sam has a wise old owl/badger face. The vet thought they were around 4 years old.
When they arrived at their new home they were very well behaved but timid. Delilah took to me right away and within a few minutes was ready to fight tooth and limb to protect me.
Sam on the other hand was scared of just about everything. If a plastic bag would make a noise he would jump six feet up in the air out of fear. He would cower any time we would try to pet him.
The first night was rather funny. We sat down to eat thinking we would feed them after we were done. From where we sit there is an armchair blocking the view into the kitchen. Behind the chair is the garbage can.
They came in and poked a head around the chair a couple of times. We thought they were checking up on us. Making sure that we were still there.
After dinner we got up and went into the living room to get them for dinner. We couldn't stop laughing. There all over the floor were remnants from the garbage. Yeah, they had been checking up on us all right - just enough to make sure they weren't getting caught!
The one thing what we noticed was that these guys didn't know how to play. They would run away from a ball. A pull/chew toy would be ignored. But, they love the garden hose! They jump so high to get a guzzle.
My young niece and nephew came to visit and I was worried at how the dogs would behave. I didn't have to worry because Del was great and followed my niece everywhere. Del loved that she would hang all over her and spend time brushing her. Sam just stayed out of the way.
Delilah became a little too protective and we decided to call in a trainer. He handled her in two minutes flat. It was great! She then let people into the house without any problem. Our friends were still scared to visit though.
It took Sam a good year before he stopped cowering when we pet him. Two years and he let me put my hand in his mouth. Three years and I could kiss him, put a treat in my mouth and the gentle giant would take it with ease. Four years and I finally can put my hand in his ears (that was a problem putting in ear drops).
They are both great in the car and love to go ride around. Sometimes we go up to the mountains and hope they will run around but they stay very close to the car and don't wander off. They were found in the mountains and we often wonder if they think we are going to leave them.
As Sam's confidence grew so did the role of the protector following in Del's footsteps. (Soon we will be able to get the trainer back in and convert him into being a good boy).
He hates dogs, cats, and people but he listens well. He gives paw and heels etc., on the leash so he must have had some training.
Delilah is very sweet and I could do anything to her and she wouldn't do a thing - just continue to love me. She is stubborn like most female dogs but she's a good stubborn.
Whatever their history they have come along way. They have won our hearts and hope that they will be with us for many more years.
