In Loving Memory Of Baggins
Baggins
Beau was found in the Lancaster area of Southern California as a stray in the fall of 2011. He had deep/severe scars on his muzzle, ears and a rear leg. He was overlooked by adopters because he was shy and disfigured. Then, in the April of 2012, he was chosen as one of the dogs to go to an adoption event to try to garner more interest in him. As we were learning more about him, it was discovered that he loved human attention and was mostly indifferent to other dogs.
He entered a foster home during that time and it was discovered that he knew NOTHING about being in a house (there were MANY accidents in the house) and that he knew absolutely no commands. He was very fearful of moving hands or feet and cowered if voices were raised. However, he loved pets from people. He had no idea what toys were or how to play with them or how to play with the other GSP in the house. Then something wonderful happened that would change Beau's life for the better. The foster mom failed at being a foster mom, adopted him, and changed his name to Baggins. She could see that there was something deep down inside of him that with time could be brought to the surface. He got along fine with his older ‘brother’ named Strider, but he had many lessons to learn and fear to defeat.
About a year later, he accompanied his dog mom on a holiday trip to visit friends. At the home, Baggins found a best friend in a little boy going through a very tough time in his life. That little boy LOVED on Baggins so much and Baggins soaked it all in and relished in it – much to the joy of the little boy. At the end of the holiday, the little boy told his father that he understood Baggins because they both had scars in their life but that you could actually see Baggins’ scars. That broke Baggins’ dog mom’s heart but also put her on a mission to get him certified as a therapy dog. This was a daunting task as they need lots of obedience training and Baggins had his fears of sitting and being vulnerable in a down/stay position. They worked hard for a couple of years – learning commands and trust, and in June of 2015, Baggins became a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International.
We are very grateful to Spring for seeing something very special in Baggins, giving him 10 years of unwavering love, and a home all dogs dream of.
“I met Baggins (formerly named Beau) in late March/early April of 2012. It was not love at first site, but I did have compassion for him due to the scars on his face, ears and a rear leg - signs of neglect and abuse. It pained me that he was scared of rapidly moving hands and feet and that he cringed and 'shut down' if I raised my voice. It was a rough start. He came as a foster that I failed epically at - I saw something deep down that needed time to be nurtured and coaxed out of him to be able to be the awesome dog I knew he could be. He was a chill dog - not the typically high energy GSP. He did love hiking on the local trails, in the mtns and running at the beach. He loved to cuddle on the couch but not as much in the bed. He was mostly a good boy but when he was naughty, he was NAUGHTY! He destroyed parts of two couches and the back of my old car (although his old brother Strider could have helped). Then, he learned how to open the pull-out freezer drawer on the bottom of the fridge and would steal frozen pizzas and frozen raw fish out of there and eat them in the back yard while I was gone - leaving only cardboard or wrappers strewn all over the yard. I had to put a locking mechanism on the freezer drawer to stop that!
He loved me with all his heart, and I loved him back. He trusted me completely and I didn't take this for granted. His overall health started to decline around Thanksgiving 2021. On the morning of 1/28/22, he looked at me with tired and sorrowful eyes and asked me to let him go and be at peace. It was such a hard thing to do but if I truly loved him, I had to listen to him and respect his wishes. He taught me so much about unconditional love and there is a huge hole in my heart right now. His younger brother Olaf is missing him too, but a new special needs foster is keeping Olaf entertained most of the time. I am so thankful to the CAGSP rescue that I got to meet Baggins and that I go to call him mine for almost 10 glorious years. Such a special, special soul. Run free with your old brother Strider. I love you and will see you again”.
