Druidale Chamber of Secrets

"Rebel"

  15th April 2001 - 7th December 2010

Rebel is the result of an accidental mating between Riot and Sky. He was sold at 8 weeks of age to a couple who had owned GSDs for years. Sadly things didn't work out, and Rebel came back to me in October/November 2001 when his owners decided that they couldn't cope. When I went to collect him I was horrified, you couldn't get near poor Rebel, he was terrified and prepared to bite. According to his owners he had bitten them on several occasions. 

At the time Rebel was returned, I had a rescue bitch with me, so Rebel had to go to kennels for a week. This wasn't a huge success as he would only let me and the kennel owner handle him, the other two kennel girls just couldn't get near him, and he was prepared to bite! By now I was getting a bit anxious and wondering whether Rebel would settle better at home, so home he came.

He settled in great with all the other dogs and soon became firm friends with Ash. Rebel was incredibly collar shy and terrified of people he didn't know. He has never offered to bite me since he came home, and in fact, he hasn't attempted to bite anyone since he came home. He was just allowed to chill out and realise that people wouldn't hurt him, my other dogs showed him that no harm was going to come to him.

It had the desired effect as Rebel relaxed and started to interact with us, but it took a while......It was Christmas 2001 before I got a tail wag from him, and another month before he would come and ask for a cuddle. Now he is a happy well adjusted fellow again, but its been such a long journey. He seemed to have totally shut down when I fetched him here, I'm just glad that my other dogs have helped him to come out of his shell and to enjoy life again. He adores going for walks now, he was so unfit when he came home, that he would fall over if he tried to turn. He now loves people (especially children). His only problem is that he is so big and strong!

The original plan was that Rebel would be rehomed once he had recovered. That didn't happen and Rebel is here for the rest of his days. He is a tall rangy dog that gets on well with most dogs, although Shadow does try to bully him at times. 

Sadly Rebel started to have fits when he reached the age of two. They are very mild and infrequent, so do not require him to be medicated fortunately. The other dogs are very good at ignoring him when he does have a fit and I just give him TTouch until he comes round once again.

Who knows what secrets this lad could tell...I'll never know for sure; sometimes I just wish they could talk.

Sadly Rebel was taken from me on 7th December 2010. He was as right as rain at 6am and died peacefully at 7am. A real shock to us all! Rest peacefully big lad.