Katniss in Lincolnshire

Poor Katniss never had a chance. We came across her in a small domestic home, without any specialist facilities, living with nine huskies, all under eighteen months of age. There was complete pandemonium: all of the dogs were out of control and were fighting and lunging at each other. Katniss had to be removed as an emergency by GSDR for her own safety. We were told that she had a deep seated animosity towards the eighteen month old mother of the pups, who has epilepsy. We saw a sensitive GSD who was stressed beyond endurance, in a conflict situation, where she was regarded as the intruder and a threat to the now adolescent husky youngsters. Her life was an utter nightmare.

When our assessor took Katniss out to walk her, away from the other dogs, she said that she saw the dog that she could become. She stopped jumping and lunging and settled to walk calmly. Despite clearly not being walked regularly, she did not react to traffic or another dog barking in a nearby garden. She felt, even after this brief contact, that Katniss could become a well adjusted affectionate girl and that she would even be capable of living with a sensible male companion.

We will know more of Katniss as the days go by. Sadly, she is now in kennels, but this will give her a chance to de-stress and process all that she has had to endure. We will be able to give a fuller assessment, as time goes by. But the prospect for her now is good. She has settled well at the kennels and they think she is a lovely dog , although 'shell shocked,' as she is still in trauma. But she will grow in confidence and has a chance now to develop her true potential and become the best that she can be.

Are you willing to play the critical part in the rescue of this wonderful girl?