RussP here to say hello and thanks to the host of this forum and all you Mercedes mechanics/technicians that have busted your humps for years to learn your trade....then come here and share your expertise with "Donald Sutherland" ("Oddball") types like me ("Oh, I don't work on 'em man, I just ride in them) so generously and considerately.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I didn't buy a Mercedes for bragging rights or "gee, look at me" (well, maybe a little), I fell in love with the lines, look, and performance of this 12 year old car and had to have something laden with testosterone! (I have MS and haven't been on my BMW K1100LT in 2 years - but damn, I can still steer and press on an accelerator).

So, before I ask any questions from anyone (like what's up with my windshield wiper that won't turn off unless I kill the ignition), I just want to offer sincere thanks to those that make these forums possible - wish I could give something back...well, in fact, if you have any dog questions, need advice, I did train police dogs for 20 years - can't turn a wrench all that well, but I can tell you how to keep the dog poo off the living room floor and keep the kids from getting bit! RussP

 

lol, can you get me a good price on a German shepard? Those are the best dogs in the world...I grew up with one. Hard to find breeders where we are.

 

The "Monks of New Skete" (upstate New York, USA) they have a monestery there - they breed and train shepherds; that's where I'm going, the dog rides back with me in the Mercedes! They [the Monks] write great books too.

 

Do you know of any breeders near Oklahoma?

 

There is oklahomagermanshepherdbreeders.net; I don't know them, however, they've got a good looking website, great looking pups and very reasonable prices. As with any breeder, get references and above all, let your common sense guide you. RP

 

OK, thank you very much. I'm originally from Oklahoma and I thought maybe my parents back at home could hold one for me until the next time I fly overseas. Or perhaps my luck will bring me to a good local breeder here.

 

Ha! Just noticed your location - 1/2 of my family (The Schipmans) are from Westfalia. When you get that Shepherd, I'm glad to help someone from the Fatherland. RP

 

That's awesome to hear! I live in Aldekerk, about 30 minutes away from Essen and about 45 minutes from Koeln. My father-in-law here just got a job as the new security personnel manager of Duesseldorf Int'l Airport, so he's going to start getting paychecks that can help him to remodel the house nextdoor so we can move into the one they have now. (They own both houses) Not many kids at 19 can say they can be married and living in their own payed-off house with two new cars.

You say you used to train K-9's or what?

 

Indeed my friend, you have/will have some serious advantages at such a young age! Don't squander it now . I can relate to your Father-In-Laws sobering responsibilities in his security position - especially in this day and age. I served on Air Force 1 (the old tail #27000), as well as the Presidential Advance Security Team as a Explosive Detector Dog Handler & Trainer.

I'm traveling to up state New York soon to get my last shepherd of my life (so I expect) - he'll get the whole back seat of my C280 to himself for the trip back! I should take the truck but I just enjoy driving the Benz too much. All the best - Russ

 

Boah, I was in AFROTC for a while, but once I got engaged my plans swiftly changed. (for the better, I believe) At first I thought maybe I had done the wrong thing, (I had a lifelong dream of being any sort of pilot in the USAF) but I know the Air Force certainly had done me a great deed by turning me onto a degree in computer sciences, because my future father-in-law has a best friend who is an IT manager and can easily get me an awesome internship with his company. Plus, computers and horses have been the only things I've been really good at anyway.

As far as the sheperd goes, I can't blame you for using the Benz. Trucks aren't too comfy for long hauls, and I always let my hairy, old fart, 102lb. blond labrador splay out in both of our Benzes, hehe. Have many long, happy years of training and obedience with your new dog.

mfg,
N. Groeger