Identities

by Armand Dostie
(Rochester NH USA)

I am a man 94 years of age. Spent 70 years as a companion to and breeding German Shepherds under the rules of the German SHUTZHUND VERIEN. I helped Form the NH Working Dog Foundation during that time. When the last dog of my own breeding died,I became very lonely. Saw an add in the Rochester Times newspaper regarding a German Shepherd female named Greta at the local SPCA.

Went to see her but she had been taken out by someone. She was returned to the pound and taken out and returned two more times when I finally obtained her, With my knowledge and examination, from breeding for so many years,I knew she was something special. She was a beautiful typical V rated animal. I wondered why she had been returned to the SPCA so many times.The SPCA never knew what they had. I made arrangements with them and took her home with me.

On arrival at home, I immediately put a pronged training collar on her and took her out in the back yard. I used German commands and she responded perfectly as commanded,it was at that moment that I learned why she had been returned so many times, she did not understand English commands.!!!!! She had been sold as a puppy to a kennel in Lynne Mass and trained by a German trainer which earned her a V rating. The lady owner of the kennel fell in love with the German trainer and left with him to Germany. The dog had been given to an uncle who promptly lost her and she ended up at the SPCA. When I examined her, saw she had a tattoo in her right ear. Wrote the number and contacted the SV. I was told she had been sold from one of their kennels.

Greta quickly became my companion in spite of her temperament which quickly changed to the better under my quick training. She lived with us, in our house for 6 years. She was the most friendly of all my companions, She loved all my grandchildren. In earlier times I had a handsome VA RATED male stud, VA Tell Vom Natoplatz a son of World Siegerin Dixie vom Natoplatz. Many of their progeny went to police departments. At this stage of my life I am very lonely again but do not wish to burden my wife with extra work by having a dog to clean up for. I was happy to be able to recount some of the happiest days of my life married to my childhood sweetheart and wife of 66 years. During my absence for 6 years in the Navy during WW2, my dogs were under the control of a friend of mine.I took part in the invasion of Normandy for a month and a half during which time, saw 10,000 men killed ,but that's another story.

Armand Dostie