08/15/2025
Over the past few days, I’ve received countless messages and questions about something I never imagined I would have to share. Many of you knew and loved Zeren’s Elan — part of a very special litter, my own Ember’s sister, an Arlo daughter, and sibling to dogs now living happy lives in their pet homes.
I recently learned that Elan, who had been living in a guardian home for several years, was euthanized without my knowledge or consent.
On paper, I remained her registered owner through the Canadian Kennel Club and her microchip, but in daily life she had been in the guardian’s care. Earlier this year, I was asked to take her back — not because of any issue with her, but because the guardian could no longer care for her due to health reasons. At the time, due to my own health and life circumstances, I wasn’t in a position to take her immediately, and nothing suggested her situation was urgent or life-threatening.
It seemed that this guardian was trying to find her a new home and carefully vet potential owners. Though I was not included in the vetting process, I was reassured that standards would be maintained for her new home, and I was hopeful they would find the right match.
From what I was told, she was euthanized because she was “off.” I was not contacted for my input, offered a second opinion, provided with veterinary records, or asked if I could arrange training or behaviour support. To my knowledge, she had recently received a clean bill of health. Had I known her life was at risk, I would have explored all available options — her death was unnecessary in my view.
My breeding program focuses on incredible family pets, but also my heart sport of Schutzhund. I breed dogs that have balance — dogs that can live in your home but also carry the characteristic German Shepherd seriousness and will show it when prompted. A bitework dog is not broken, a serious dog is not broken, and a dog exhibiting behaviors it was bred to display is NOT broken.
Please remember this when choosing your next dog: manage your expectations, work closely with your breeder, and provide the life necessary for these dogs to be fulfilled. Breeders — carefully vet your puppy owners, manage expectations, and do your best to place the dogs you pour your heart and soul into in the most suitable homes.
One of the most difficult parts of this situation is that, to my understanding, the veterinary clinic involved did not verify legal ownership before proceeding with euthanasia. Despite her CKC papers and microchip being in my name, there was no process to confirm my consent. This highlights a gap in procedures that, in some cases, could allow life-and-death decisions to be made without the legal owner’s involvement.
This has been an incredibly painful experience, and I will be re-evaluating my guardian home agreements to ensure nothing like this happens again.
I am not sharing this to create conflict, but to raise awareness. If your dog lives in someone else’s care, have clear, written agreements about medical decisions, especially in emergencies. Veterinary professionals — please consider confirming ownership before proceeding with irreversible decisions.
Our dogs depend on us to be their voice. Let’s make sure that voice is always heard.
