The GSSCSWFL Family
Family Fun and Dog Training Camp
on July 13th 2008 we had a Dog Training Day Camp and Barbecue  Event in Lake Placid.  
German Shepherds at the Base Ball Game
July 11th 2008
We had a lot of fun and the Miracles won the Game
A true amazing Story
A lot of our Members still remember Jasper, Jasper is a 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd Dog who was kept locked in a Cage for about
2 years out of his life. The owners were in the process of loosing their house when I showed the property to one of my clients. Talking
about the dog, the owners said they will not and can not take the dog with them. Jasper did not know that he is a German Shepherd, he
was afraid of everybody and everything, started shaking and hiding if one would even move or  talk. He never experienced the world
except his tiny cage in the living room and a tiny front porch, where he was allowed to be once in a while. It was so sad to just to watch
him. My husband and I  tried to find Jasper a good and loving new home. It was not easy since Jasper did not let anybody near him and for
sure he was not an easy going dog. We just knew he needs a lot of love and patience and talking to trainers and other dog people nobody
really thought that Jasper would ever be a normal dog. Actually we were told that the only thing we could do to help Jasper is to put him
down. That was the last thing we wanted to hear.

And neither did Kara and Sergio. They have two small children and  a young German Shepherd Female and they told us that they have a
lot of patience and love to give Jasper a second chance. This all started in February of 2008. There was still the problem that Jasper
would not let anybody touch him or come near him. But when Kara and Sergio went to look at Jasper, Kara sat down on the ground very
quietly and after a few minutes Jasper went over to her, still very very scared and unsure what to do next. All the sudden Jasper decided
that he likes Kara a lot and she was able to pet and talk to him. She got up opened the door of the truck and Jasper jumped in. She did
send me an e mail the same night and wrote that Jasper was laying on her lap the whole way home. He started to love the children in an
instant. But there was still a long way to go. Jasper was still afraid of every stranger and even of Kara's dad for a long time.
But day by day Kara and Sergio were able to assure Jasper that everything is fine and that nobody is going to hurt him. Kara and Sergio
brought Jasper and Dixie (their female dog) up to Training and after a few times Geri our Trainer was able to pet him and they started
some basic obedience training with him. He started very slowly to trust certain other people as well.

All of us are very happy to see Jasper improving that fast and that good. But still so we thought there is a long way to go.

Today ( July 11th 2008) at the Base Ball Game we were very surprised to see Kara, Sergio, their children and Jasper and Dixie. Jim and I
looked at each other and at Jasper and we really thought that is not a good idea, so many "strange" people and so many "strange"
noises. We thought he will freak out and all the good work Kara and Sergio had started will go "down the tube"

But we were so wrong. Jasper did great, he looked very interested, watched the other people and dogs, the noises of the Ball Game did
not bother him at all, not even the sirens for the Home Run, nor the loud music. His only concern was the children, he was watching them to
make sure that "his" children are ok.

Here is our proof - Jasper at the Base Ball Game!! - And trust me it was very noisy -
Please don't get me wrong. This case is very special and we know that Kara, Sergio, their kids and Dixie and
Jasper were extremely lucky that it worked out for all of them. This might be a single case where it worked
and it probably would not work a second time or with a different dog. And even our Trainer complimented
Kara and Sergio stating that they did everything right, they did not make one single mistake. But he also
told Kara and Sergio that they were extremely lucky, that it could have ended up in a disaster as well.  
However for me it is an amazing story (: By the way the Home Teams Name is "Miracles" (they won by the
way) but we had almost our own little miracle in Jasper - he won too.
Monika Wilson
We all had a great time. The morning started out wet but cleared up very quickly. The dogs had a super time romping loose together
and playing in the lake. It was amazing to see all of the dogs (shepherds, dobes, mix-breeds and the mini schnauzer) getting along
and chasing each other as they frolicked in the water and acreage. As one Mom put it, "It was definitely worth the trip".  I am sure
each "kid" had a very long nap when they got home from all the positive interaction.

The BBQ lunch was superb. Kudos to Jim for a job well done on the huge grill. We humans stuffed ourselves on brautsworth, venison
sausage, hamburgers, salades and an awesome apple cake John's wife baked. It was a very "merry" time as we enjoyed each others
company and enjoyed the beverages (: (: (:
We are looking forward to doing this again and hope you can join us this fall on our weekend K9 seminar at Camp Cloverleaf.  Please
check back for dates and times. Your GSSCSWFL
Next Weekend Get Away in Lake Placid, Florida
planed for 1st Weekend in October - Mark you Calendar  
Next Training on Sunday

08/24/2008
9:00 AM

2101 SW Pine Island Road
German American Social  Club
Cape Coral, Florida, 33991