Wally Swanson, who operated Camp Wolfgang German Shepherd Rescue outside Ennis, passed away last week. Swanson, a former Highland Park attorney, founded Camp Wolfgang in 2001. He placed over 2,000 dogs in its first 8 years.
In 2007, Wally teamed up with the Paws In Prison program, a program designed to teach inmates a skill that can be useful after their release. Camp Wolfgang supplied the dogs, who were then housed with inmates at the Sanders Estes Unit prison in Venus, Texas. The inmates taught the dogs basic obedience, increasing their appeal to potential adopters, while they learned skills that would benefit them after prison.
In 2009, however, Camp Wolfgang was forced to close due to Wally’s poor health and declining donations. At it's peak - there were nearly 400 dogs housed there. Local dog trainer and rescuer J.P. Bonnelly, had this to say about Swanson, “While there was often controversy about Wally's rescue efforts, no one can deny that hundreds of dogs went on to live wonderful lives because of him”.
Wally had been hospitalized most of this year, but spent his final days at home with his personal German Shepherds. With his passing, those dogs, mostly seniors, need to find new homes. They are:
Henry & Lucy – 8 year old bonded pair surrendered by a Vietnam Vet who was moved into a nursing home.
Storm & Thunder – 9 year old siblings
Miranda - 6-7 years old and lived most of her life in a kennel until coming to Camp Wolfgang
Bruno – also 6-7 years old
Ivan - (adopted Sunday!)
Abbey – a Lab/Shepherd mix
Dallas Animal Services’ Rescue Coordinator Mark Cooper worked with Wally for five years. “Wally had his rough side, but underneath his rough exterior, he was a very compassionate man who devoted his life to saving dogs from shelters, as well as owner surrenders, and stray dogs that where lucky enough to cross his path.”
Wally will be laid to rest in Minnesota, but the family is planning a memorial for his Texas friends shortly thereafter. For more information on the remaining German Shepherds in need of new homes, call 469-337-7370.
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Copyright Rebecca Poling 2011. All rights reserved. Email DFWAnimalRescue@att.net if you have a story you’d like to share.
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