Reaching Summit, My White German Shepherd

by Sherri
(Carlsbad, CA, USA)

Last year I went looking for a "replacement" dog for a Red/Black/Tan/Buff German Shepherd Dog I had found in Lytle Creek in 1999. Lytle was the true love of my life, and it took me a year after his passing to even think about getting another dog.

I knew exactly what I wanted: a multicolored, tan faced, very large, confident male German Shepherd. I needed a dog I could trust implicitly to go hiking with, so, well socialized.

I went to a local shepherd rescue event in Encinitas, CA where they had about 25 adult dogs on display. I ignored the furry faces and went straight to the volunteer to ask about temperaments and to give my specifications.

They didn't seem to have a dog that fit me, but as I was leaving a foster mom asked me to please take a walk with her and her charge - a small, skittish, white male, sitting quietly in a corner kennel. As we walked she told me that he was really sweet, would make a great pet, and therefore she would push to get him a good owner before the end of the event.

I took him on a two week trial basis, thinking I was insane because he was the opposite of what I said I was looking for! He was all bones, and had severe bronchitis for the first three weeks...so I asked that they give me more time to think about it while I nurtured him back to health.

At first the dog was extremely shy and seemed to hate men in particular...in fact, he bit my dad in the rear during a holiday commotion! I didn't give up, and I didn't name him until I was sure I would keep him, however soon I claimed a gorgeous white shepherd, dusted with caramel and sporting freckles on his ears.

I wanted to name him after a mountain but there are so many great mtn. names, so I settled on Summit. After months of training and socializing Summit has become a GREAT dog, and will even walk up to total strangers!

He is a superb nanny for small kids (whether he knows them or not), I leave the front door wide open and he never walks out without 'asking', and he hikes with me everywhere. I am so grateful for a wise foster mom who pushed a scared, sick dog on me a year ago!

White, brown, black or purple, shepherds are great companions and as loyal as they come.


Total German Shepherd:

Sherri,
What a great story. Thanks so much for taking a chance on this sweet white GSD even though he wasn't what you thought you wanted. Just goes to show that what we think we want and want we need are often two different things and what we need is so much more special than that thing that we thought we wanted.

Obviously your patience paid off and that is the great part of this story. Not only did you help a sick GSD back to health but you helped him right into his forever home too. No doubt those beautiful brown eyes had anything to do with it either!

And freckles - I loved hearing about that! My first German Shepherd way back when was a white German Shepherd named Casian and I have always loved them. To me, color is secondary. If the dog loves you, has a good temperament and fits well into your life what more can you ask - you can't see color in the dark can you? And what does it really matter anyway? Absolutely nothing.

So best of luck to you and your beautiful white German Shepherd, Summit. He is definitely a keeper and I wish you both many years of companionship in the future! Be sure and give him a hug for me!