Sherman - Duke's Happy Tail

Sherman came to us in May, 2003. He had been found running stray in the country & taken to our vet by a local resident. After exhausting all resources to locate anyone claiming to be responsible for him, he was transferred to the Sanctuary. Sherman is a wonderful example of this regal breed ... friendly, intelligent and loyal to a fault. But, like most big, black dogs, he would be a long time in getting adopted.

Switch gears & go to an entirely different story. A lady who had adopted a companion from Animal Angels about 9 years ago contacted us in April, 2005. Her sister's dog had gone missing & she was asking for help from several resources to spread the word & help locate the missing Nixon. We were glad to help & have posted a page of information & pictures in an attempt to help get Nixon back home. (See Lost Dog - San Antonio on the index1 page)

We hope that Nixon is found & returned to his family. In the meantime .. because a home that is missing a wonderful dog like Nixon has a BIG empty spot in it .. Nix's Mom & Dad & canine sister Thatcher, have decided to foster Sherman. They have taken him into their home & from all reports, he has already made a place for himself in their hearts as well. We expect this is a forever home for him. It is a pretty good indication that you are a permanent part of the family when they change your name. Dad wants to know if he can "foster" a big boat & a new vehicle next.

Below are some of the updates that we have received from Duke's new family & a link to several new pictures.

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Update 6-15-2005: He is doing great. We watched the Spurs game at Barb’s last night and that is when I took the pictures. There was a room full of people standing around talking and I was standing next to Duke when Babs across the room talking to someone said “The Big Boy” in a normal voice which is a nick name she has for Duke. His ears perked up and he immediately started looking around the room for her until he spotted her. Duke and Thatcher are bonding, playing and kissing each other. Thatcher, Duke and Lucy ran around the yard in circles playing. When Barb let all of the dogs in the house Duke walked around the room to everyone to say hello, he’s quite a social guy.

Update 6-02-2005: Latest Sherman/Tank/Duke story.... I have a big leather chair in my living room that I sit in when I watch TV. Many times my smaller dog Thatcher will crawl in the chair with me. It is one of those oversized chairs. Well......Monday night while I was watching the Spurs game from the couch, Duke just crawled up in the chair to sleep! That is the only piece of furniture he has touched. The rest of the time he lays sprawled out on the floor. He is a kick! Hope you guys are OK with the name change. Strangely enough, he never responded well to Sherman, but he seems to like Duke. Some things are just meant to be!
Barbara

Update 5-30-2005: Sherman goes to the beach

Hi Carole, Sue and Pat;

Here are some pics from Sherman’s first trip to the beach. We’re fairly certain it was his first visit to the ocean because of the way he initially reacted to the waves, but as he does with everything, he quickly figured out there was nothing to fear and loved walking in the surf.

He enjoyed relaxing on the deck and watching the neighborhood. He’s also a fun travel dog because he likes to stare out of the window. He was a gentle giant with a friend’s small dogs, the contrast was incredible so I included one of those shots. He’s starting to initiate play with Thatcher and seems happy with his new sister. He follows Barbara every where, he’s really bonding and responding to her.

On Monday when we first got him we had to help him get into the SUVs. By Friday when Barb took him out to put him in for the trip to the beach, he surprised her by jumping in with no assistance.

Barbara and her husband are taking about changing his name to Duke, her husband Lee’s choice, but I don’t know if they’ve really decided yet. I told her husband that if he’s changing Sherman / Tank’s name that definitely means he’s theirs and that he’s not a foster dog. He said was there ever any doubt? Earlier in the week Lee was making jokes about how he wants to “foster” a bigger boat and a new vehicle, etc.

Sherman / Tank / Duke is quite a personality, there’s already a list of cute and interesting things that he’s done. Throughout the weekend I could see him becoming more and more comfortable and playful. He definitely travels well and goes with the flow and Carole was right about him being fine to travel to the beach so soon.

View pictures of Duke & his new family here

Duke & his Mom enjoy an afternoon nap