Second Chance Stories: Jacqueline & Sadie

by Miss Darcy
May 15, 2024
A Dog's Lifestyle Blog, Charities, Dog Rescue

Meet Jacqueline and Sadie (@helperdogsadie)! They live in London and this is Jacqueline’s story on how she came to give Sadie a second chance.

Tell us about yourself

I adopted Sadie during my last year of college/university pursuing my B.A. in Film and TV production. After graduating I worked as a full-time sales associate selling cinema cameras gear and professional lighting but due to my US employment authorization expiring I moved in with my mom in London, UK. I’m currently in between jobs as I’m planning to go back to full-time education in the spring. During the whole time I’ve had Sadie we’ve been living in an apartment/flat or townhouse. It’s not ideal but we make do and I ensure she gets out 4 times a day with some playtime and mental stimulation in between.

Tell us about your dog

Sadie is a long-coated black and tan German Shepherd mix. According to her Embark DNA test she’s 79.3% German shepherd dog, 10.5% super mutt and 10.2% Great Pyrenees. She’s small in size and have short legs so no one guesses Great Pyrenees but perhaps that’s where her fluffy coats comes from? She was found in a rural, mainly agricultural area of the Central Valley in California, USA. She was picked up on the street by a Good Samaritan and taken to the local state-run animal shelter. She didn’t have any injuries but she wasn’t microchipped or had any contact information/tag on her. After waiting 4 months, with no one coming to reclaim her or wanting to adopt, she was transported to Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles due to overcrowding.

What made you decide to rescue?

I saw a lot of information on social media to ‘adopt don’t shop’ and the push to give pets a second chance rather than contributing to the dog overpopulation and shelter overcrowding problem by buying a puppy from a puppy mill/backyard breeder. I did reach out to some reputable kennel registered breeders but found the waiting list a bit long and prices a bit high. I also preferred an older dog that was already housebroken as I thought a puppy would require more supervision than I could manage with my schedule.

How did you choose your rescue dog?

During the time I had gone through a traumatic event and wanted a larger dog to be my companion and for a sense of safety. I told Westside in my application that this was going to be my first dog (apart from having family dogs growing up) and that I had no experience with German Shepherds. Really I had my eyes set on getting a golden retriever but I found out that certain breeds are very rare in the shelter system as they tend to be rehomed very quickly. Westside picked out two dogs for me to meet, both German shepherd mixes, which fits my specifications (age, temperament and size) and I got to spend some time with and take them on a walk. Sadie had absolutely no leash manners but she showed such excitement. I quickly fell in love with her spunky personality and her intelligence. She was on the smaller side, weighting in at 23 kg (now 29kg) and was approximately 11 months with medium energy. Her bright eyes, fluffy coat and her eagerness to please really drew me in.

Tell us about the rescue you adopted from.

Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles is a non profit 501(c)3, no kill rescue committed to saving all types of German Shepherd Dogs from high kill shelters and adopting them to loving, qualified homes.

How easy was it to get your rescue to the UK?

You need a dog health certificate to travel with your dog from the US to Europe. The form can only be filled out by a veterinarian. Our local vet didn’t offer the service but recommended a third party company. Due to it being a niche market they can set the price high. However, looking online I found a more affordable price quote for a dog health certificate. The appointment itself was very quick, they did a routine health inspection and looking through her vaccination paperwork and then filled out and submitted the required documents to the responsible government agency. We landed in Denmark and passed customs without problems, then drove with Sadie to Sweden. My family is Swedish so we stayed in Sweden for about 2 months and went to a Swedish vet to get Sadie an European pet passport. With her European pet passport we later flew with Sadie to the UK. During the whole ordeal she didn’t have to be in quarantine which was a relief.

What did you think about rescues before adopting?

Rescuing is more normalised in the US and I found the attitude generallypositive. I don’t think I decided to rescue with much preconceived notions but I had a general naivety about the responsibility of a dog. However, that would have held true if I had decided to buy a dog as well. My family was supportive of me getting a dog but they thought a small dog would have been more fitting and questioned my choice to rescue due to fear of behavior issues which is a prevalent stigma regarding rescue dogs. When they heard it was a German shepherd they thought I was in over my head because German shepherds in their mind are very difficult dogs. I probably wouldn’t have chosen a German shepherd normally but Sadie needed me and after meeting her I fell in love.

What do you think about rescues after adopting?

I think rescues are amazing because even though they have seen the bad side of humanity they still choose to trust us again. I do think that choosing to adopt a dog is a big commitment and requires a lot of time and effort which not everyone is suitable for. I think it’s important to understand that dogs react out of fear or frustration, not because they want to make your life hard. They’re struggling too, and it’s up to you as a dog guardian/parent to look out for your dog’s individual needs, advocate for them and to build their confidence and your mutual bond.

What is your message to anyone who is thinking of getting a rescue?

Rescue dogs come in all sizes, ages and temperaments and all of them, especially the ones branded “difficult” deserve to live happy fulfilling lives and not be euthanized. Work with a reputable animal organization that’s dedicated to match you with a dog that fits your lifestyle, level of dog expertise and home environment. Please understand that in most cases you don’t know what a rescue has experienced prior but they most likely have experienced abandonment, stress and negativity and deserves kindness, support and patience. Rescue dogs make for amazing pets and like any pet they should be part of the family

My personal recommendation is to take at least one dog obedience class and read up on dog behaviors. Most dogs react out of fear and insecurity and not because they want to make your life harder. Bond and form a connection with your new dog especially the first three months

What have you learnt from rescuing your dog?

Unfortunately, I have learned a lot about people’s misconceptions and discrimination towards German Shepherds and certain other breeds. For example, I really wasn’t prepared for housing/landlords having breed restrictions which has been a struggle. I’m also sad that people assume that she’s aggressive and would harm them, their dogs or children when she’s simply just existing and displaying normal dog behavior which would be perfectly acceptable coming from another breed of dog. I’ve definitely learned as a dog mom to advocate for Sadie’s need for space at times and also to understand her body language and behavior. We have completed a lot of dog obedience classes and worked with both dog trainers and behaviorists to strengthen our bond and to help Sadie cope with the demands and restraints of city life. We have both grown, learned to understand each other and have fun together. Sadie has definitely shown me what it means to take responsibility and to love someone for who they are, even when it’s not easy.

What are your favourite things to do in London with your rescue dog?

Me and Sadie love taking long walks in the parks either alone or with a dog walking group. We especially enjoy Battersea Park as it’s less crowded than Hyde Park and walking distance from us. I also really want to give a shoutout to Love My Human Townhouse, a dog cafe that have such a good selection on their dog menu and the most understanding and friendly staff.

GIVING SECOND CHANCES

Jacqueline and Sadie is one of the many stories about Second Chances.

By choosing to rescue a dog, you’re making a statement against the unethical practices associated with puppy mills and irresponsible breeding. You affirm your commitment to giving a loving home to a dog in need, regardless of their past circumstances.

In the days that led up to our inaugural Rescue Dogs of London & Friends meetup in Kensington Gardens this past Sunday, May 12th, together with The Dog Vine, we have shared Second Chance stories and will share their stories on Rescue Dogs of London till National Rescue Dog Day on the 20th May.

With thanks to our Rescue Dogs of London Event Sponsors:

Wagworks: WagWorks is the happy place for city dogs. Dog daycare, dog grooming, training and vet services in West London.
Biome9: Gut microbiome test and health report for dogs. Unlock the complex biology of your dog’s inner world using cutting-edge AI.
PAWD DRINKS: PAWD DRINKS is a range of preventative and functional liquid health supplements for dogs scientifically designed to target common health-related issues.
The Rockster: Rockster quite simply has established a new standard in calibre of ingredients, dog nutrition and palatability never seen before in the industry. Hailed as “more than just food”, Rockster is the only Bio-organic dog food in the world that is certified as a superfood in its own right, having transformed the lives of many dogs.
Raven Imagery: Renowned dog photographer Andrew Richardson from Raven Imagery captures stunning portraits of pups against a backdrop of the capital and beyond.
Darcy’s Bakery: Darcy’s Bakery is an artisanal dog bakery specialising in catering for parties, events and brand collaborations in Central London.