Hello everyone,
Enzo is another of the unlucky puppies who was caught up in the trap of COVID. His family loved him, but because of COVID, they weren't able to get him the socialization that a young German Shepherd puppy needs more than anything. When he became out of control, afraid of strangers and new things, they called Coastal for help. Meeting the volunteer who brought him to the rescue didn't go very well for Enzo at first. He was being handed off to a stranger, not knowing where he was going or what would happen to him. Lucky for him, his volunteer angel was one who was not easily frightened by puppies, even if they were large with big teeth. His family placed Enzo in the back of her car. He filled the back seat, and she just waited for him to calm down, and then she got in the driver's seat. Enzo knew immediately just by her gentle but commanding words and her demeanor that she was in charge, and he knew he was safe.
He made the trek down to Coastal's Ranch where he became overwhelmed again. There were so many other dogs and more people than Enzo had ever seen. To Enzo, the most important thing was warn them to stay away so they wouldn't hurt him. Little did he know, no one, absolutely no one meant him any harm. Enzo's team was formed that day, three people at first. He got to know them. He would bark at first, but when he learned that he didn't need to be afraid, his guard slowly began to come down. Enzo's leash was the key to making him feel safe. Sadly, it was the only thing he had left that smelled like home, the one thing that reminded him of the family he once had. His leash meant the world to him, and we made sure it was close to him at all times. He needed something to hold onto until he knew the bigger world was safe, until he knew that he was as special to his new friends as they would become to him.
The day we knew we broke the final wall with Enzo was the day we switched his leash and he paid no attention to the old. He was no longer attached to the past but living in the moment and looking toward the future. He began to recognize the friends that he had made, and when they would come to his yard he would watch them approach and then slide his body sideways against the gate so they could pet him through the chain link. He began to play bow and to run after his ball and do the puppy jumping for joy at the sight of his friends' visits. Most of all, he began to relax.
Enzo is ready for his special forever home. He has made great strides in his socialization and his trust, but he has to have a home that is dedicated to continuing that socialization. Even though his circle of trust is larger and he has more friends, the big world is still a scary place for him; and for every step he has made forward, without continued work, it will all be lost. Enzo captures your heart with his soft eyes now, but we will always remember the lost, wandering eyes of the frightened puppy we first met, the scared boy who barked to keep everyone away, and we know we can't lose sight of the special home that Enzo needs. That is our promise to him.
If you are interested in meeting this dog, please fill out our online application first. Contact us via email at information@coastalgsrsd.org. The minimum adoption donation ranges from $300 to $400. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, boarding fees, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is tax deductible. Prior to placement, all dogs will be spayed or neutered, receive current vaccinations, and are usually microchipped. If not, arrangements will be made on an individual basis. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with physical problems.