From Abandoned to Advocate: The Inspiring Journey of a California German Shepherd Raising Awareness for Animal Rescues
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
When you think of California, you many think of the sun-drenched landscapes, celebrity mansions and postcard images of the west coast. However, everything is not all glitz and glam in tinsel town and one such story has recently captured headlines. No, it’s not the latest celebrity gossip of who is divorcing who, but it came from a much humbler place.
Argon, the German Shepherd recently made headlines when he was found by hikers in Malibu Canyon with zip ties around his mouth and neck, most likely left there by people that were supposed to love and care for him. Maria Dales, founder of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County was the one that took on the responsibility of saving his life and taking him to receive urgent medical care. However, shortly after she received an update about his diagnosis… It has been confirmed that Argon has B-cell lymphoma, which is fortunately is more responsive to treatment. The prognosis with treatment is good – 80% of dogs respond –so they are hopeful that they can extend his life another 11 months to 2 years. And whether it's for two months or two years, giving this dog the love and care he desperately needs is of utmost importance.
Argon has not only found a second chance at life, but has also become a powerful symbol of the importance of animal rescues. Abandoned and neglected, this dog's journey from despair to love is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and the tireless efforts of animal rescue organizations. As this courageous canine recovers and eventually finds his furever home, his story is raising awareness and inspiring a movement to save other animals in need, shining a light on the crucial work being done to protect and care for abandoned pets across the country.
We sat down with Maria Dales, founder of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, to learn more about Argon’s story and the countless other dogs she has saved. We also wanted to understand the daily challenges rescues like hers face and how people can help, even in small ways.
Can you tell us about the founding of your German Shepherd rescue? What inspired you to start this organization?
I didn't actually know that I was going to start a rescue when I began, but I'm absolutely positive now that this is exactly what I should have been doing all along.
Sometime around 1996, I adopted a 10-year-old German Shepherd from the only existing German Shepherd Rescue at that time, which was located in Burbank, about an hour and fifteen minutes away from where I lived. That dog had been returned to that rescue 5 times for ridiculous reasons. I took him home, named him Samson, and loved him for the rest of his life.
I was working full-time as a Marketing VP at the time and only wanted a senior. As I learned more and more about how misunderstood German Shepherds were, I offered to help that rescue by taking one of the rescue's dogs from Burbank and showcasing him/her in Orange County at a local store to build awareness about the need for adoption. I felt that showcasing the dog in the right demographic area, (e.g. established families, homes with yards, etc.) would improve the chances of adoption. So, every Saturday for about year, I drove up to Burbank and picked up a shepherd, drove it to OC, sat with that dog outside of a local PetSmart and talked to people about the breed, about their attributes and about spaying and neutering. If the dog didn't get adopted, I had to drive back to Burbank that same day because I had nowhere to keep him.
Over the months, I met some fellow shepherd lovers who offered to help by holding a dog at the store, so little by little, we built a small crew. We still had to pick up the dogs in Burbank, bring them to OC, and then take them back if they did not get adopted. Fortunately, because there were no other shepherd rescues at that time, we gained adopters and donors. In 1999, we took the big leap to start our own chapter of German Shepherd Rescue in Orange County, and in 2005, we incorporated as Association of German Shepherd Rescuers, Inc, dba German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County.
Every year, our adoptions grew, and with them, our donors began to grow as well. We started with a single dog and, weekend by weekend, we grew to become one of Southern California's most respected rescue groups thanks to dedicated and determined volunteers.
What drives your passion for rescuing and rehabilitating German Shepherds specifically?
The German Shepherd breed is woefully misunderstood by the general public. People tend to believe that because they are said to be "smart dogs" they will come with no challenges, or that they will magically be self-trained. Too many people take on this breed when they really aren't prepared to invest the time, energy and leadership required to build the dog into a well-adjusted adult. So many shepherds are given up by their families around the 18-24 month mark because they are exhibiting typical teenaged shepherd behaviors that the family doesn't understand or isn't willing to work with. Shepherds are also frequently associated with "guard dogs" and all too often, families get a shepherd and toss him out in the yard, expecting him to be happy all alone. This is an emotional breed that positively craves the love of a person or family and they do not fare well when banished to the yard.
The truth is, when I visit the local shelters and see so many beautiful, deserving shepherds that are unwanted, it hurts my heart. All I can think about is how unjust it is that some dogs get to find great forever families, and others seem to get dealt a losing hand right from the start. It really upsets me that every adult shepherd that we get was once an adorable little blank slate, ready to have a beautiful life, yet because of some unfortunate luck or timing or situation, they ended up abandoned, neglected and even abused. I love every breed of dogs, but there is something about the unwavering loyalty of German Shepherds that has grabbed my heart.
How has working with rescued German Shepherds impacted your own life?
When I began the rescue, I was still working full time in a high-stress job and I couldn't give my all to the rescue. Once I retired from my marketing career, I was able to devote full time to building German Shepherd Rescue of OC into the group that I knew we could be.
It's interesting how life takes twists and turns but sometimes you end up exactly where you were meant to be. All of the jobs that I have had before now, from administrative and legal, to marketing, to public relations, actually helped to prepare me for my job with the rescue. I didn't know it at the time, but I was actually building the skills that a well-run rescue group requires.
Could you share the story of how Argon was found and brought to your rescue?
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
Argon's story hit the SoCAL news in a huge way. TV viewers were horrified when the story broke about the dog found in Malibu Canyon with zip ties on his mouth and neck. Immediately, our phones and emails went crazy with people reaching out to ask us to "do something" to help. I phoned the shelter that had custody of Argon and reached a very compassionate rescue coordinator who said that she was eager to get him into a less stressful situation. She told me that she had checked our credentials and that everyone told her that German Shepherd Rescue of OC would provide an excellent soft landing for Argon.
One of our long-time volunteers made the arduous drive all the way out to Palmdale Animal Shelter (around 2 hours' drive each way) and brought Argon to our vet for immediate treatment. He was shut down, wouldn't make eye contact, lethargic and emaciated. I've seen a lot of sad situations, but to see him so utterly betrayed by humans made me cry.
My first instinct was to check the pads of his feet to see how worn or burned they were to try to get an idea of how long he had been out on his own. Fortunately, his pads were in decent shape, so I'm hoping beyond hope that it means he was found shortly after being abandoned. We can't say for sure that it's true, but for my mental health, this is what I choose to believe. Everything else about him reflected a horrible level of neglect, from his protruding spine, to his swollen legs and vacant eyes. It's hard to describe how empty his eyes were--there was no light in them and he seemed like he was sleepwalking.
How is Argon doing now? What kind of medical treatment and care did he require immediately after the rescue?
When he arrived, Argon was skin and bones but he didn't want to eat, which suggested an issue with his stomach or kidneys. His rear legs were swollen to three times their normal size, and he had walnut-sized lumps under his neck, which were identified as his lymph nodes. Thankfully, x-rays revealed nothing broken. His skin was covered in small scabs and bumps, possibly from poison oak.
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
It took some time to get the proper diagnosis, and the waiting was excruciating because so many people wanted to know how to help him. We now know that Argon has multicentric B-cell lymphoma, which is the most common lymphoma in dogs. While no cancer is a good one, this one can be treated and we are moving forward with the goal of giving him comfort and prolonging his life.
Argon will require 15 weeks of chemotherapy treatment, involving oral and injected medication. His faithful volunteer friends will chauffeur him back and forth and monitor him following his treatments. We have promised him that if he has any type of poor reaction to the medication, we are not going to put him through the full course. We don't believe in making a dog sicker to make him feel better. In our minds, he wouldn't understand our intentions, and it would be just another form of betrayal to make him endure this. Our rescue has never had a dog go through chemo treatment before, so we will be watching his responses very closely. According to the experts, treatment is successful in approximately 80% of patients, so we are hoping to buy him another year or two.
What steps are involved in Argon's rehabilitation process, both physically and emotionally?
As rescuers, each dog's emotional recovery is just as important as his/her physical recovery. Argon has been with us for two weeks and he is still shy and withdrawn, but he has started to relax around his favorite vet technicians. Yesterday, for the very first time, he plunked his paw on the vet tech as if to ask for another treat. We were all so excited because it meant that he was connecting!
Every day, various people sit with Argon just to keep him company. He usually keeps to himself but can be coaxed with his favorite treats. He goes for walks around the vet hospital for exercise and sunshine time. He let us know that he didn't appreciate a bike rider buzzing by him on the sidewalk, but for the most part, he just enjoys sniffing the grass. He loves his orthopedic bed and he has stuffy toys for company. We use soft, even voices around him and we don't move suddenly because we don't want him to know that no one will ever hurt him again.
NOTE: To support in Argon’s care and recovery, please visit Angels For Argon - https://shop.gsroc.org/collections/angels-for-argon
All proceeds from this collection go directly to Argon's care. Wear your Angels for Argon merchandise proudly, and show your support for this beautiful survivor!
How common are cases like Argon’s, where dogs are found in such distressing conditions?
I'm sad to say that we have had more than our share of horrific hardship cases come through our rescue over the years. Some years ago, we had a dog that had been intentionally scalded by acid--he was found in shock in an abandoned car in a ghetto. We have had dozens of cases involving animal hoarders, including one that we took 44 German Shepherd dogs from. The dogs were living in filth, under the house and in the walls. The owner was mentally ill. Many times cruelty and mental illness go hand-in-hand in the animal welfare arena, and animal hoarding is one manifestation of this. We have been asked to assist in numerous cases of animal hoarding over the years.
In the past year, we have rescued dozens of dogs that were abandoned on illegal pot farms when their owners were incarcerated. Our volunteers had to crawl under rusted out vehicles to get the terrified dogs and puppies to safety. There were dogs and puppies everywhere, all trying for a spot of shade in baking desert temperatures.
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
One of the saddest cases that we ever took on was a dog that a family was intentionally starving. They left him all alone in their backyard day in and day out while they enjoyed their meals in the house. He was literally skin and bones when a good Samaritan brought him to our attention. Charges were brought in that case and the individual was sentenced, although not significantly. After thousands of dollars in rehabilitation, the dog that we named "Courage" was adopted and lived a full life in a loving home. I'll never forget this story as it taught me how cruel humans can be.
Here's a recap of his story: https://www.rileysplace.org/animal-cruelty/how-is-thisjustice-for-courage/
Can you share a success story of a dog that was rescued and successfully rehabilitated by your organization?
Every life rehabilitated is a success story of its own, but the most notorious of them is definitely Courage.
What can the public do to help prevent animal abuse and support rescue organizations like yours?
People need to speak up when they see animals being neglected or abused. Call your local Animal Control or Animal Services and don't give up! If you are met with apathy or resistance, get more determined and keep fighting. Your goal is to be the voice for voiceless animals. If you don't speak up for them, who will? I've learned over the years that you have to keep pressing on in spite of those who don't want to rock the boat. You have to rock the boat if you want to see change. It might make you uncomfortable, but I always remind myself of how uncomfortable that animal must be and it gives me new strength.
You can also be a very vocal advocate for spaying and neutering in your community to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats that are born every year. For every new dog or cat born, it means that one already waiting for a home will not find one since Southern CA is currently in a pet overpopulation crisis that costs thousands of dogs their lives every year. It is mind boggling that our society hasn't found a way to prevent this senseless loss of life simply by controlling the supply. I just don't get it.
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
Have there been any changes in local laws or community awareness as a result of rescues like Argon’s?
None that we know of. But the $25,000 reward is still offered and we are hoping that it will inspire someone to speak up.
NOTE: Individuals with tips related to Argon’s abandonment may contact In Defense of Animals at (415) 879-6879.
The reward stands at $25k to find the individual(s) responsible for this horrific act of cruelty.
What are some of the biggest challenges your rescue faces in terms of resources, support, or other factors?
Since the pandemic, the local SoCal area shelters have been overloaded with unwanted pets, both cats and dogs. In particular, large dogs are being given up and abandoned in record numbers. Shelters are so full that they are euthanizing beautiful, healthy animals just due to lack of space to house them. Too many unqualified people elected to become cottage breeders during the pandemic, and as a result, the marketplace has been saturated. There simply are not enough great homes to absorb all of the many, many animals needing rescue. Additionally, the rising cost of vet care, especially for large breed dogs, has hampered our ability to save more lives. It has also led to more people giving up their dogs due to financial hardship. More and more people are asking us to take in their dogs because they can no longer afford to care for them.
We need many more low-cost vet options in SoCal so that animal caregivers who truly want to provide for their beloved pets can afford to do so. Expecting an average animal guardian to pay more than $900 to spay a dog is not realistic, yet that is a typical cost for a large dog spay in SoCal.
How can people get involved with your rescue, either through volunteering, donations, or other forms of support?
Our rescue is volunteer-driven so we are always in need of animal lovers to help in our work. We are based in Orange County, CA, but those outside of the area can help by sponsoring an individual dog, by holding a fundraiser, by promoting our available orphans on social media, and by ensuring that all of their colleagues are aware of how many beautiful dogs of every breed are available for adoption. We have a great web site (www.gsroc.org) and very dynamic Facebook and Instagram presence to help people stay engaged with what is happening in the rescue.
For animal lovers in the Orange County area, there are opportunities for walking, bathing, training and socializing the dogs, as well as for transporting them to and from vet appointments. Visit www.gsroc.org and complete the Volunteer Application to get into the network.
Fundraising is always a critical need for every rescue. In addition to the costs involved in caring for the dogs, there are overhead costs such as phones, utilities, transportation, insurance and everything else associated with running a small business. We are always searching for volunteers to help us find new ways to bring in precious funds.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering adopting a rescued dog?
PHOTO CREDIT: German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
Definitely do your homework about the breed! Each breed has unique traits and specific needs. Just because you think a particular breed is physically attractive is not enough to actually choose that breed without further research to see if you are well-suited to that dog's needs and personality. Also, I always tell people to have a hard talk with themselves about the reality of the timing when adopting. Adopters need to envision where they see themselves in 2, 5 and 10 years and if a dog will really fit into that plan. Adoption is for life, not just for while it's convenient. My motto is, "Timing is everything when you adopt a dog." You could be the greatest family in the world, but if your life is in a state of change or if you can't be certain that your living situation is stable, it's not the right time to add a canine family member. Once you've made the commitment, stick with it---you are the best thing that has ever happened to the dog you adopted. Don't be yet another human that lets that innocent dog down.
What are your future goals for the rescue? Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you are excited about?
We are currently launching a capital campaign to raise funds to turn 1/3 acre of our kennel property into a dog park where our resident orphans can stroll and relax. It's a huge and costly undertaking, but the idea of a private area with trees and a water feature where our dogs can enjoy time out of their kennels is so exciting! We have had the property for some time but we've been unable to move forward without underwriting for irrigation, grading, landscaping and shade canopies. Our fundraising goal is $350,000 to make this a reality. We know this will be a fantastic way to break up the dull days of the dogs in our care that are still waiting to be discovered.
We wish we could save every shepherd that needs our help, but the current situation is daunting. Sadly, a shortage of resources and available volunteers limits what we can do. If we are able to raise and sustain more funds, we can extend our safety net to rescue more German Shepherds in need. On average, it costs us more than $5,000 to rescue, house, care for and eventually rehome the average dog, and those with serious illness or injury cost much more. We look forward to being able to provide much-needed aid to even more dogs.
About German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County
GSROC has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming German Shepherd dogs since 1999. The organization has earned the Best of The Southland (Charity Division) honors from the LA Times in 2022 and 2023. In addition to Argon, the non-profit organization currently has 85 other homeless German Shepherds in their care. The rescue receives no public or municipal funding and operates entirely on individual donations. EIN 20-3455479. For more information and for donations to support GSROC, please visit www.gsroc.org.
NOTE: All photos are courtesy of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County.
