If you are interested in adopting one or tow of these lovely dogs please either contact Jan Anderson on the e-mail posted in cc, or if you are unable to get  in touch with Jan, please feel free to contact Waltraud Brogren at either: wabrogren@comcast.net or at tel #651-429-9689. Waltraud will help establish a connection with Jan directly so you may set up an appointment to meet the dogs and of course Jan.

 Your consideration will be much appreciated, thank you!

The four are siblings from the last litter mom had eight years ago and all have excellent temperaments.  They are show quality pure bred German Shepherds (I have their brother, Champion Valor) that have never left home except for veterinary visits.  While they are eight years old, mom always researched longevity when doing the small amount of breeding she did, and her dogs tend to live to around 12 - 14 years, really good for pure breed GSDs.  All are neutered or spayed and all have always had all proper/needed health care.  Three have health issues that are well controlled with medication.  All are 'ball players' to nth and while at their age do not play with each other as they did when young, they are always 'up' for some ball chasing/retrieving with any human willing to toss the ball.  Initially, they would probably need some extra loving to overcome loss of mom and myself, loss of siblings and loss of home they have lived in since birth.  I took two in today to the groomer for a bath and nail trim, the first non vet visit in their lives, and while a little anxious at my leaving, they both took it pretty well.  Tomorrow, the other two go.  Strategy was to keep stress at a minimum by taking them two at a time, so they can be with another dog they know when I leave.

Descriptions (worst health issues first):
        Riot (short for Patriot) is a male, weight about 90-95 lbs.  Heavy build, with a thick black and tan coat, needs a lot of brushing.  He lives for retrieving balls (tennis balls are his favorite, though he will settle for other balls or toys, if tennis balls are not available).  He is rarely seen without a ball in his mouth and will sit gazing at you for half an hour or more with a ball in his mouth 'in hopes' that you will give in and toss it down the hall for him.  He has a deep, carrying bark which he will use to warn you that there is someone at the door, though when told 'it's okay' he will rush to the toy box to find a ball to present to the visitor.  Riot was diagnosed with periannal fistulas and is on half a tablet of prednisone and one capsule of cyclosporine, each given every four - five days.  He also gets a half tablet of phenobarbital each evening to prevent possible seizures.  His seizures, which look like he is dreaming but his eyes are open, have happened once or twice a year in the past.  They appear to be brought on by stress and the phenobarb now seems to have them under control.  I can provide more info, if interested.  Needs to be fed grain free food. 
       

Lila is a female, weight about 65 lbs.  Small to medium build, with a fairly thick black and tan coat, needs regular brushing.  The most alpha of the group, though she likes to snuggle with people she knows and will tuck her nose in between your knees, if you let her.  She is the outgoing one (herding term) which means all the other five (including mine) will snug in when talked to or when treats are offered, while she will hang back, keeping eye contact, to make sure nothing 'gets away'.  (Natural herding instinct in some dogs to make sure that sheep which have broken away from the flock, do not get away.)  She is smart and has been caught opening the food bin to help herself.  (For years, mom blamed this on Riot until I finally caught Lila 'in the act' less than three months ago.  Poor Riot blamed all those years for Lila's stealing.  Smart Lila for taking so many years to get caught.)  Lila also likes to chase and retrieve balls.  She was also diagnosed with periannal fistulas and is on half a tablet of prednisone and one capsule of cyclosporine every four - five days.  Also needs grain free food. 
       

Pixie (also answers to Dixie) is a female, weight about 70 lbs.  Slender, with a fairly thick black and tan coat, needs regular brushing.  She is the 'baby' of the bunch and will sneak her way up into your lap, if you let her.  Also 'kisses' unless firmly told not to.  Lowest in the pecking order, she is the one that wants to follow you around and lay by your chair when everyone is between bouts of ball playing.  She also likes to chase and retrieve balls, though again is not the fanatic that Riot is.  Just likes to 'be with you'.  She was also diagnosed with periannal fistulas and is on half a tablet of prednisone  every four - five days; she does not need the cyclosporine.  Should also be fed grain free food. 
       

 Last but not least is Ruby, a female, weight about 75 lbs.  Of a heavier build than her sisters, she was what is called a bi-color.  Originally solid black with red 'stockings', she has less undercoat so needs the least brushing of the four,   In the last two plus years, she has started to get white color on her face and throat.  Looks like someone took a small paint brush (house painting type), dipped it in white paint and did a couple of back and forth swipes at her face.  Very striking looking, though the GSD people to not like to see white on a GSD dog.  Ruby is a little more independent than the others.  She will leave us all watching TV in the family room and go down the hall to watch the birds and bunnies out the window.  She was the one most aloof until this year, when the coming and going of various health aides and hospice personnel opened her up to the potential 'fun' to be had of playing with people.  And, of course, she also likes to chase and retrieve balls.        
       
If you think you might be interested in meeting the group, just in case one of them might fit into your family, let me know.  No pressure, just hoping to find the right home for one or more of my nieces and nephew in fur.

 

I have talked to many of you on this topic and have gathered information over time and now I like to share with all my dog friends. This is something all of us, especially living in Minnesota's tick belt should be keenly aware off. Julie, I wonder if we should consider an article to this regard in our German Shepherd club newsletter?? 

 Here are some of the alternative ways people approach tick control:

• the obvious - groom and check your dogs daily
• feed garlic, tablets and power forms make this easy. For best control feed year round. I purchase mine form www.springtimeinc.com . There was a clear and definite difference between how many ticks I picked off my male (who was added to our family last February) and my female who has been on garlic for several years - just a few ticks on her all season, but during peak time I picked ticks off Kahn daily - needles to say, he is on garlic now.
• consider the following natural alternatives and check out these links:

 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/tick-repellant.html#
 
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/safe-effective-tick-spray-formula.html
 
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-girl-ticks-off-ticks.html
 
http://www.earthworkshealth.com/pets-animals.php?gclid=CPvxg8uDsJoCFQ9JagodThy0dA
 
http://www.thewholedog.org/EOFleas.html - I thought this was especially good - it says how dangerous frontline and others are!!!! I suscribe to this monthly newsletter which I find to be an excellet source especialy the annual food evaluations and a host of other interesting dog info 
http://www.goldenacresdogs.com/bugstuff.htm

 I got this information from a friend: "I have also made the ear wash and it REALLY works!!!!"
 
All-Natural Insect Repellent for Dogs
Do NOT use essential oils on toy breeds or cats without first consulting a knowledgeable holistic veterinarianfor safety protocols - essential oils containing phenols may be dangerous to toy breeds and cats!!