Introducing Gretchen Ziah

Welcome to my blog! This is all very new for me, so bear with me as I learn the ropes of blogging.

I've decided to use this blog to talk about rescue dogs that come to my home, in an effort to call attention to their needs. I am a volunteer with Tri State Weimaraner Rescue and am the rescue coordinator for Western Pennsylvania Weimaraner Association. Any rescue dog shown on this blog does not belong to me, they belong to Tri State Weimaraner Rescue (TSWR) and TSWR makes all decisions regarding their care and placement.

I'd like to introduce our current foster puppy. When she came to us she was named Ziah, but because the name just didn't work for my husband and I we started calling her Gretchen. In an attempt not to cause confusion for the veterinarian records and TSWR's records we have kept Ziah as a part of her name, sort of a middle name, but she will be called Gretchen in this blog.

Gretchen is a 5-month-old female Weimaraner who came in to rescue because of several circumstances. She was bought from a breeder in California and shipped to Pennsylvania to be used as a brood bitch (to have puppies), but once it was found that she has a rather serious heart murmur the idea of breeding her was abandoned. The people who bought Gretchen also live in a small apartment and have a 4-year-old child and a small dog. As Gretchen grew it became obvious to her owners that the situation was not the best for the family or for Gretchen and, because they were not willing to expend the money that would be necessary to diagnose and treat her heart problem, they decided to turn her over to rescue.

As of tomorrow, Gretchen has been with us for two weeks. She is active, happy and a lot of fun to have around. She and my 7-year-old Weim Rocky have become great friends and play and romp around the house. She is good in her crate and she is very close to being fully housebroken. She loves to play with her toys and will play fetch and tug.

Tomorrow Gretchen has an appointment with a cardiologist to try to find out more about her heart problem, what is causing it and what, if anything, can be done for her. After her doctor's appointment I will post to let everyone know what we find out and what the future might hold for this sweet pup.

I hope you will follow Gretchen during her time as a foster pup at our home here in Western Pennsylvania and as she goes through the medical appointments, procedures and treatments to deal with her heart murmur. Stay tuned, she should keep this interesting!