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PO Box 34676
Kansas City, MO 64116

Last Updated:
3/26/2024 1:12 PM
 

Astro's Web Page

German Shepherd Dog  : :  Male  : :  Young  : :  Large


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Learn more about the German Shepherd Dog.

About Astro

  • Status: Adopted!
  • Adoption Fee: 300.00
  • Species: Dog
  • General Color: Black with Tan, Yellow or Fawn
  • Current Age: 11 Years 10 Months (best estimate)
  • Housetrained: Yes

ASTRO is an AMAZING dog!  He's gentle and submissive yet playful and lively with other dogs.  He's also fine with cats.  His foster home has dogs ranging from 5 lbs to 65 lbs, and he's good with all of them (tho a big of a lummox with the tiny dog).  He MUST have another dog as a buddy, and it should be a somewhat larger dog who loves to play but is not dominant or overbearing.    

Astro came from appalling conditions.  He and his sister Lexi were kept in a feces-filled  5x5' outdoor pen all their lives, starting as 6 week old puppies.  Their owners bred them even though they're brother/sister (and it appears Lexi was forcibly held down in a homemade version of a rape stand).  They lived in deep feces and their only "flooring" consisted of BROKEN WOODEN PALLETS.  They couldn't even get a foothold, and it's amazing they didn't break legs or feet.  Eventually they chained Astro to the inside of the pen - OUT OF REACH OF THE SINGLE DOG HOUSE, WATER, OR FOOD.  It appears the dogs were rarely given water, since they drank huge amounts of water constantly for the first few weeks - as if it would be a very long time before they got more.  

As a result of this cruelty, Astro's back legs were weak due to an almost total lack of muscle mass.  He found it difficult to run and quickly ran out of energy, but is now doing very well.  He will benefit from ongoing constant exercise to continue developing his back legs.  He also must have a securely fenced yard, with a 6 ft privacy fence STRONGLY preferred (he was able to escape from his outdoor pen occasionally).  

Astro is LOVING the family life and being an indoor dog!  He's almost completely house trained and is very good in the house.  He's a lively boy, but is submissive -- he clearly was manhandled and beaten.  When he first arrived in foster care, he whined and cried at EVERY touch, no matter how gentle or where on his body.  (His sister Lexi screamed when touched anywhere on her body.)  He's now settled down, with just a little bit of that reaction remaining.  He also tended to snap his head around and nip at the hands petting him, but is now confident enough that he simply walks away instead.  

Astro is good with kids - he recently survived a party of 5-10 year old boys and did beautifully!  The boys were instructed to approach him gently, but they were typical kids and were loud, yelling, and romping around til 2:00 a.m.  Astro just went to bed around 11 pm, and ignored the boys from then on.  No whining at being touched, no head snaps, no nips.  HOWEVER, for caution's sake we do require his new family to have kids approximately 10 years and up.

Who's the v.e.r.y. LUCKY family to take this gorgeous guy home, finish his rehab, show him the patience and love he so richly deserves?  If it's YOU, you'll have a truly incredible dog when his transformation is complete!


 
DOGS:     YES!  Astro needs at least one doggie play with (not too rough, and large enough to have significant play sessions)
CATS:     YES.  In foster care with two cats
KIDS:     Older children, approx. 10 years and up.  Solely due to his habit of "nibbling" or "nipping" when he no longer wants attention
IDEAL FAMILY:   A somewhat active but also fairly low-key/mellow family, who will understand this gentle guy's submissiveness and help him continue to develop confidence and trust.
 
If you're looking for a truly gorgeous, young,
trainable German Shepherd
who will love you forever,
Astro may be your dream dog!

Astro's ADOPTION FEE:   $300
This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save. On average we spend over $450 on each dog. We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have doubled and tripled since then. We are constantly fundraising to cover the deficit. At minimum, your adoption fee includes the dog's spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming, monthly heartworm and flea preventives, and microchip. In many cases it also includes surgery and various types of vet treatment for standard issues such as hot spots, ear infections and so on.
 
INTERESTED IN ADOPTING Astro?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

More about Astro

Good with Dogs

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

  1. We're picky about our adopters. 
  2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
  3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
  4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
  5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
  6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
  7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
  8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.



 

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.

Other Pictures of Astro (click to see larger version):

Astro Astro Astro