Arlo is Adopted!

When we first saw Arlo, it was an image of a mangy German Shorthaired Pointer not well cared for standing in a shelter kennel. His hair was missing, and he appeared to have a skin issue. His white fur was darker from dirt and what appeared to be oil. His eyes. Oh, his eyes, full of discharge, told his story of being kept in an area that was unfit for any animal but also gave a glimpse of what was inside this mistreated package wrapped in neglect and abandonment.

Arlo had been at the shelter for over a week, and the clock was ticking. The animal shelter was giving him just three more days—three more days to be adopted or rescued. In his condition, not knowing the medical expenses that lay ahead, most visitors would quickly look past him onto the younger pups. The shelter was full of younger dogs that looked "cuter" without medical bills. A volunteer, deeply moved by the dog's plight and the situation's urgency, immediately made plans to get him.

Jim and Jan are repeat adopters. We were fortunate to see Jim and Jan's compassion for senior dogs when they welcomed Buddy into their lives in July of 2020 at 13 years old until he passed 3 years later. As they were adjusting to life without Buddy, they saw Ellie, a 9 year old female GSP, and inquired about her. They visited her a few times on Walk A Dog Day, and were smitten. They adopted Ellie in September of 2023, creating once again, a loving home for a senior dog. Just a short 10 months later, they sadly lost Ellie. After Ellie passed away, the heartbreak was tremendous, and Jim and Jan wanted to take some time to reflect and take a breath before adopting again.

Their story is a testament to the incredible impact that adopting a dog can have on the dog and the family, showcasing the power of second chances, unconditional love, and the unwavering bond between humans and their canine companions.

Jim and Jan were regulars at our Walk A Dog Days. They had seen Arlo at the Splish Splash event and inquired about him. The next time they came out to the Walk A Dog Day, we had them walk Arlo. We knew he would be easy to walk, and they wanted to get to know him. While Arlo was still getting treated for his skin issues, all they saw was an amazing dog who needed a second chance to be loved and cherished. Arlo was 5 years old. Jim and Jan in the past adopted 2 seniors, however, Arlo was as special as they come, and they saw that. We knew he would fit in well with them. We could go on and on about Jim and Jan and their devotion and love for dogs of all ages. Amazing humans who inspire us.

As you know by now, Jim and Jan adopted Arlo earlier this year, and we are going to let them tell you how everything is going!

“Arlo’s first day was eventful starting with being picked up at the Kennel. When we picked Arlo up his skin condition was awful; Greg reached out to let us know I think to see if we were still willing to adopt Arlo (which we of course were). We were very comfortable in adopting Arlo having observed him at Splish Splash and Andrea arranging for us to walk him at the previous Rescue Walk A Dog day. We had already made an appointment with our Vet for the evening of the day we were adopt Arlo. We had a Wellness exam done, blood work and X-rays taken so we had a baseline for Arlo going forward. In addition, they did skin tests to see if they could identify the source of his skin condition. The blood tests showed he had an infection (elevated white blood cell count) and put him on antibiotics, gave us medicated shampoo and ear cleansing rinse and drops as his ears were very dirty. As I told Greg, Arlo was going “home” and we will sort out his skin issues. Our plan is to have him looking like a new dog at the next Splish Splash Event in October.

We arrived home and took him off leash; and Arlo started to explore our house. We filled his water dish; he was thirsty and drank quite a bit. After wandering around the inside, we took Arlo out to the back yard. He seemed a bit apprehensive of walking on the grass at first, but quickly overcame that and started to enjoy being able to run “off leash”. Since we didn’t know if he was potty trained, we encouraged him each time he did his business outside. While we were outside, we discovered he loves to fetch a ball, and we played quite some time. He seemed to really enjoy chasing the ball and bring it back to us.

We sat down and he got up on the sofa with Jan and rolled over for scratches and love (which he of course got). Then he came over and got on the love seat with me and snuggled down for a bit of a rest. After resting a bit, we went back outside for another session of throwing the ball and bringing it back.

That’s all for now.

Arlo Update #2

Arlo has been with Jan and I for slightly over a week and we are both thrilled and blessed to have him in our lives. He is an awesome dog and with a great demeanor. He is a wonderful addition to our family and is in the process of settling in and our “house” has become a home again. Jan says we have a 60lb lap dog as he loves to get up and lay down in your lap.

We are still trying to learn all of his “tells” and ensure that he feels safe and loved. We have noted he has a bit of anxiety when either Jan or I leave, and he doesn’t care for the vacuum. We noticed he seems to feel the need to eat all his food fairly rapidly but hasn’t displayed any anxiety or aggressiveness when we are around his food when he was eating. I added the sardine Teri suggested, and he let me put that in his dish when he was eating (he woofed it right down). He is sleeping through the night on our sofa. We have a bed in my office for him, and we think he has identified that as his “safe” space (reminds us of Buddy and the closet in our bedroom). He does need some work on his recall, but we will work on that.

I think we wore him completely out on Saturday, as I was outside cleaning up our backyard after the winds here. I would stop and throw the ball for Arlo, we would play until I assume he got tired and would lay down on the patio with the ball between his front feet. He finally went in and Jan said he laid down and took a nap. On Sunday, my Mom came over to watch Arlo (as he has already charmed her), so Jan and I could go out to the kennel and help walk dogs. When we got back, she told us he had some anxiety when we left, but got up on the couch, curled up and put his head on her lap and took a 2-hour nap.

Arlo loves playing in the backyard, playing with dog toys, and I am working on teaching him about having morning coffee with me and the associated the dog treats. The other thing he has discovered is we have some rabbits that come into our backyard in the evening, and he goes in to “high gear” to hunt and chase them.

Thanks once again for bringing Arlo into our lives. A little long winded, but it has been a busy first week.

Arlo Update Feb 23, 2025

Arlo has been with us for a little over a month, and in that time Jan and I have been thrilled with having Arlo join our family. As Jan’s sign on the dining room table says, “A House Is Not A Home Without a German Shorthaired Pointer In It”. Arlo is settling in and becoming more accustomed to our routine as well as us recognizing his “tells”.

We followed our Vet’s recommendations and began putting coconut oil on him to help with skin irritation. Several more vet trips and following recommended treatment (along with Sardines, Teri’s recommendations and dog “vitamins” for antiitch and skin issues), and Arlo looks like a new dog. His recovery continues to improve, and he has begun to grow hair back on the patches that were irritated and hairless.

Jan got out our dog toy box and Arlo has them all over the living room (which we love). The only thing we are not sure of is if he is 100% GSP, based on what he did in the house yesterday we think he has a some “Counter-Surfer” in him. He has learned (for the most part) not to counter surf, which he did when he initially came home.

Arlo Update August, 2025

Arlo has been with us for almost seven (7) months, in that time both Jan and I have both been thrilled with having Arlo join our family. Arlo is an integral part of our lives, and we are certain he is happy and thriving, except when it’s time for a bath.

We followed our Vet’s recommendations and began putting coconut oil on him to help with skin irritation. Several more vet trips and following recommended treatment and Arlo looks like a new dog. His recovery is nearly complete; his hair has grown back on the patches that were irritated and hairless. He had a severe ear infection, and we think we have finally gotten that under control. He has learned not to counter surf, which he did when he initially came home. We think his trepidation about not having food has subsided and he no longer eats everything immediately.

His recall has improved; he will come most of the time but does at times display “I’m not going to do that”. Being a younger GSP than our prior adoptions, Arlo gets the “zoomies” and goes on a high-speed romp usually around in the living room with one of his favorite toys. One of his other favorite past times is hunting lizards in the back yard and going after the local birds (to date he has gotten 2 of them). Additionally, we no longer have very many rabbits in the backyard and if they were to miss a step he would have them. He gets very excited when I get home from work and I must take him outside first thing regardless of the time or weather. Arlo loves going for a walk, once he sees the harness come out he is dancing and barking and can’t wait to get out the door. During the week we walk him in our neighborhood (just like Buddy and Ellie); however, on Sundays, we take him to a local park and usually walk for an hour or so, he loves this as we put him on a long leash, and he can run and chase birds. We have also taken him to a local wildlife preserve and again let him run and hunt on the long leash. He is also very fond of going for a ride in our truck; we took him on a road trip to Utah, and he was a champ about traveling.

He loves having you throw the ball for him outside; he is very good at bringing the ball back for a bit, then is becomes a game of “I am not going to let you have it”. We have several fruit trees in our yard, and he is very adroit regarding finding a piece of fruit and bringing it to the patio (having chewed on it), we think plums are his favorites. He loves dog toys and enjoys dragging them around the house. Jan just bought him a new toy, which became his favorite as he chewed a hole in it and can pull the stuffing out of it; so our living room looks like a snowstorm went through it. Jan and I love that about him as it reminds us of our GSP Gentry. I tell her Arlo is channeling a little “Gentry dog” when he does this. He reminds us of our Ellie girl in he loves to sleep in. He also reminds of us of Buddy; in he has found his own “safe space” under my desk in my office (Buddy’s was our closet in our bedroom). He enjoys rolling on the living room carpet and laying on his back with his feet straight up in the air; Jan watches the Facebook posts on a gentleman with 2 female GSP’s and he calls this behavior (his dogs both do it) “Paws to Jesus”; we have adopted that phrase as well. We think it acknowledges the wonderful blessing we were given in our lives by having Arlo be a part of it and the joy he brings.

Arlo is truly an amazing dog with the sweetest disposition and affection; and he thinks he is a 65lb lap dog; he loves laying on the sofa next to Jan. He is a wonderful addition to our family, and our “house” is a home again. He has helped to fill the void after we lost our Ellie girl, and his presence is a blessing every day. Arlo was a true “diamond in the rough”; he looked pretty rugged when we adopted him but today is a very handsome boy.

Jan and I are both loyal followers of CA GSP Rescue and all the dogs the Rescue helps; somehow thank you doesn't seem enough for all involved. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved for everything they do.

We can’t thank Greg, Teri and Andrea enough for helping us find another truly amazing dog to become part of our family and we look forward to a number of wonderful years with Arlo at our side.

Thanks once again for bringing Arlo into our lives”.

Respectfully,

Jim and Jan

Below are Arlo’s before and after transformation photos!