I've been reading for quite a while and I thought it was time to register and say hello.  I love the pictures and the wonderful GSP stories here.  I've been a GSP lover since the 60's when I was a child.  They are the best dogs ever.

Spot is my 4 yo M GSP.  We adopted each other one day when I went in to the pet store to buy crickets for my lizard.  I know the right way to get a pup and that was the furthest thing from my mind that day.  I ordered my crickets and while the cashier was fishing them out, I walked around the store.  I missed having a dog.  My rescue Lab had died from cancer about 2 years earlier.  In a corner was a scrawny sick pup in a crate by himself.  He didn't move.  He didn't make a sound but his eyes were screaming save me.  I walked closer and the pup struggled to get up and every muscle in his body was quivering.  He collapsed.  I opened the crate and went over him, breathing labored, fever, ear infection.  But the light in his eyes was still there.  I estimated he weighed about 12 lbs.  The sign on the crate said German Shorthair $500.00 but wait, they had marked him down to $399.00.  He was on sale.  I wasn't even convinced he WAS a GSP.  I tucked that pup inside my coat and went to the cash register.  Told the cashier I would take the puppy too.  They didn't want to sell him because he was sick and had been sick for quite a while.  His crate was over in the corner because the owner had left orders to take him to the vet to be euthanized.  I insisted and I won.  But no 10 day guarantee.  I was surprised when they handed me his AKC papers, he was a GSP, and I learned he was almost 4 months old.......and only about 12 lbs.  They gave me his medical papers, pneumonia and general failure to thrive.  They had tried to treat him.

I already knew his name was Spot and I ran out of the store with him.  I called the vet on my cell and told him I was on the way with a sick puppy.  The vet wasn't sure Spot was going to make it but after some iv fluids and several shots, I took him home.  I refused to leave him at the vet because Spot deserved to have at least one night in a real home.  I cooked him some chicken and rice and called my husband and told him we had a dog.  Spot slept on an electric blanket in my lap all evening.  His fever went down and I was able to get him to drink and eat a couple ounces of chicken.  He stood up and barked for the first time when my husband came home.  Spot slept that night in bed between us.

The next day we had a puppy.  He wasn't well but he was better.  I had the vet treat his ear infection and check him over.  There would be ongoing concerns.  He probably would never grow properly etc.  We would love him and take care of problems as they arose.

The problems never came.  Spot is 26" tall and weighs 65 lbs.  He is happy and healthy.  Pretty too.  It took a lot of training and socializing but he did it.  I even showed him a few times until I realized he found it very stressful.  We run every day and he is a great companion.  I think he would hunt given the opportunity.  He has brought me a turkey, duck, goose, rabbit, and a turtle.  He doesn't hurt them, he just drops them at my feet.  And of course, I run away.  Spot has a whole arsenal of tricks he loves to show off.  And he was the easiest dog I've ever potty trained.

Nice to meet you and thanks for reading my dog story!  Spot says hello too.

Patty, what an amazing story. Good for you for taking on the challenge! Can we see a picture of Spot?

Hello and welcome to you & Spot..That was quite a story, Glad all turned out well. Bean is a rescue too  BUT from a heavy handed  , neglectful , JERK.

We want pictures toooooooo

Renee'

WELCOME!!  what a nice story! I would have done the same knowing he was going to be put down....how sad!!!  Really a very touching story! I am glad to hear he turned out to have a happy healthy life!! 

Thanks for the welcome.  I live in America's Icebox, Minnesota.

Spot is very photogenic and just like some of your dogs, he poses for the camera.  His first duty every morning is to go outside and chase all the swans, ducks, and geese out of our yard.  I have been trying to get good pictures because it's hilarious.  And those swans are almost 5 ft tall!

If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will.  I read in another thread if you download to photobucket it's easy.  I will try that!

Welcome aboard Patty, and great story.

There is a prerequisite on this site that all posters must provide proof of GSP ownership with pictures

I live in Big Lake, north of the Twin Cities.  Spot's back yard is the Mississippi River.  Full of animals and he tries to catch all of them.

Hi Patty,  You are a true Angel to adopt a sick poor GSP, pay that amount of money not knowing if he would live or die. Feeding him chicken soup and inviting him to sleep in your bed between you and your husband on his first night!!! AWESOME This is the most spectacular rescue story I have read!!  Brought a tears to my eyes!!!  Sounds like you and Spot live in Gods country near a lake and major river. Can't wait to see pictures of Spot. And a big welcome!!!

here's Spot!

I will learn how to size these!