Char-Wills German shepherd Rescue in New Ringgold has been rescuing German shepherds from compromising situations and rehoming them since 1994. Shepherds of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages come to live at the rescue, hopefully for only a short time, until they find their forever homes.

During their stay, the dogs are socialized, neutered or spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. The rescue is successful at promoting adoption days and holds fundraisers to provide care to these highly intelligent dogs. The rescue has many volunteers and resources, due in part to fundraisers and donations.

All dogs sheltered on-site or in foster homes working with the rescue come from “not so great backgrounds,” situations where their owner passed and no one else can care for the dog, or other circumstances.

About Freya

There is one canine at the rescue will capture your heart.

Freya, a beautiful, 7-month-old German shepherd, is looking for a loving, patient person or family to make her their own. However, Freya, who is less than “perfect” as she has a birth defect, has been passed over for adoption many times by potential owners, who come to meet the dogs.

According to her foster mom, Lynn Zerbe, who calls the dog “Miss Fancy Pants,” (because she has to wear doggy diapers), “Freya has a birth defect called ectopic ureters (or ectopic bladder), which is a congenital condition in dogs where the ureters are not attached to the bladder in their normal location. This causes urine to flow directly into the urethra instead of the bladder, resulting in urinary incontinence or dribbling.

“The rescue is incurring the cost of the surgery to correct her bladder leaking issues. However, the surgery is not 100% guaranteed, but it has more favorable results than not.” Zerbe is hoping that after the surgery is over and Freya is healed, she won’t have to wear “panties” at all, no matter how fancy they are. If the surgery isn’t successful, her new parent or family needs to be willing to care for her.

Smart girl

Zerbe also notes that although Freya has a “leaky bladder” issue, she is a smart girl who alerts her when she has to go outside to urinate and defecate. The diapers are necessary and only worn during the time she is inside. Zerbe said Freya stands like a good girl to have her diaper changed and to be cleaned off with baby wipes when she’s wet.

Overall, Freya can be shy at first, but once she is comfortable with you, she is a love bug and just wants to be with humans and please them. Zerbe adds that Freyda is not extremely high energy. She knows some commands like sit, stay and come, and is learning to walk on a leash. She is a little standoffish of other dogs at first, but warms up to them.

Because of the additional care Freya needs, Zerbe worries that there will continue to be no interest from anyone to adopt Freya. She is concerned because the dog is becoming attached to her, and as she gets older, she will be more difficult to rehome.

Ideally, it would be best if Freya were in her new home before the surgery, so she can grow accustom to her new family, and then when the surgery is over, she can come back and relax and recuperate at home. This, again, put another adoption obstacle up, as most potential owners would consider her after the surgery is successful.

In-person meeting

If you are that “special person” and have the patience and time to dedicate to this special needs dog, and are interested in meeting her in person, set up an appointment at Char-Wills online or give them a call. An approved adoption application can be completed online.

Char-Wills German shepherd Rescue is also asking for donations to help with Freya’s surgery and care. Anyone who would like to donate toward her surgery can go to the website, www.charwillsrescue.com or mail it to Char-Wills German shepherd Rescue, 2 E Railroad Ave., New Ringgold, PA 17960 and make a note it’s for Freya’s surgery.

People who love the intelligence and loyalty of the German shepherd breed will fall in love once they meet Freya. The time and patience invested in her care and training will come back in many rewarding ways.

For more information about Char-Wills German shepherd Rescue, visit www.charwillsrescue.com or call 570-943-2624.