WALDO came to MOGS from a shelter as a cruelty seizure.  He was in such bad shape - starved to a bone and walking like an old man -- that the shelter estimated his initial age as a senior between 6-7 years old. But it quickly became apparent that he's much younger than that - probably about 2 yrs old.  

TEMPERAMENT
Waldo had to boarded at first due to lack of foster homes, and was wild to get out of the kennel.  Once he got into his foster home, though, he became sweet and gentle with adults (any gender).  Once he knew he was safe and loved, and was given daily exercise along with rules and leadership, he settled down incredibly well.  He is now typically very even tempered. He still has some rough edges as a result of the prolonged abuse and neglect he endured, but those edges are getting smoother every day.

He's a big boy - tall and weighs in at 104 lbs -- so he's working on understanding his size and strength.  He's practices a lot on a leash with his incredible foster mom. He is now house-trained and kennel-trained, and has no problem hanging out in his crate for 6-8 hours at a time. He's actually become so trustworthy that he's earned the privilege of being free in his foster home while they're at work. Waldo is a smart boy, and has learned to follow basic commands.  His new family will need to continue his education and help him continually progress.

Due to his experience of cruelty and neglect, Waldo doesn't like going to the vet.  However, we discovered that if he has a vet who has a very calm, quiet demeanor Waldo does pretty well.  He still needs to be muzzled as a precaution, but he's done well under those conditions.  He also is muzzled for grooming and nail trim visits, but again does best with a calm, friendly-but-firm-and-unafraid groomer.  All of this is still new to Waldo, and he's gradually building trust with these types of visits.  We strongly recommend using a vet and/or groomer who can provide the calm, quiet, non-threatening environment Waldo does best in. He is increasingly less reactive to touch of his paws, ears, etc., and his new family needs to continue doing just a little of that each day to continue desensitizing him and building trust.  

He would not be happy in a home where he's kenneled 10 hours a day, then left home alone while a busy family goes about their activities.  He has become a real people-dog and his favorite activity overall is being near you and hanging out with you.  He's an interesting mix of doggie-chill and doggie-play -- he loves to play with the other dog for a while, but he also likes to have his space and just chill out with you. 

He's also gotten better and better at car trips, though he's still nervous and whiny in the car.  It seems he enjoys going places but isn't crazy about the trip itself.  Still, he's getting better little by little. 

He also often goes to work with his foster mom.  He doesn't bother anyone, minds his own business, and chills out.  His foster mom is also working with him on a slight barrier reactivity, and is teaching him "place" when people come to the door.  He's made huge progess on this since he first came to us.

Waldo is not a dog park dog and not an off-leash dog, and should always be leashed when out in public.

OTHER ANIMALS
Waldo really needs to have a doggie buddy to play with and be companions with.  He's had quite a journey -- he started by being reactive to other dogs but with the loving leadership of his foster mom has become a dog who thrives with a buddy.  The kind of doggie buddy he needs would be a dog who is well-behaved/well-tempered, likes to play hard but is not super high energy and always on the go, and possibly a female.  He lives with a small male dog and they don't play together, but he also lived for a while with a foster GSD (female) and the two of them played hard in the yard.  He plays like a typical GSD, from body slams to nipping at legs, but he shares toys nicely and will even bring the other dog the toy for chase or tug of war.  However, when he's done playing he doesn't really want the other dog to keep on bugging him or get in his face.  He loves to play but also wants to chill out, so his new buddy will need to be fairly respectful and leave him to chill out at times.  CATS & SMALL ANIMALS:  No. He has a high prey drive and cannot be placed in a home with cats or other small animals.

CHILDREN
Waldo currently lives in a foster home with three teenagers and does well.  Kids over 14+ yrs old are fine, but he would not do well in a household with crazy-high energy and noise.  He's been around young neighbor kids and done fine, he just needs a fairly calm home.

MEDICAL
He's in excellent health and is up-to-date on all vaccines and has been neutered.  He has some mild arthritis in his hips but it does not currently cause him pain or require pain meds.  He has had several skin infections, but they clear up nicely with medication and we believe that as his system gradually comes back into complete balance after his years of neglect that those infections will subside.

The perfect home for Waldo?   He needs 4 things. 
(1)  A home with a strong leader who understands German Shepherds. He needs to feel confident that his handler knows what they're doing.  He also needs rules and boundaries that are calmly but clearly enforced.  He will not do well in a home with either a "pushover" or a person who tries to  "manhandle" him into submission.  Pushing him too quickly into a situation he isn't comfortable with will cause him to regress and react badly.  He needs to push his limits and keep progressing, but slow and steady rather than being rushed or forced into it.
(2) A doggie play buddy -- a large dog who likes to play but is not constantly "on" / in his face -- a dog who loves to play but is also respectful of downtime. 
(3)  A fairly calm home.  He will not do well in an always-on, high-energy environment.  He's in a foster home that's active - three teenagers - but not especially loud or crazy-high-energy.  The calmness seems to help him get comfortable with all the new elements of life he's been learning after his years of neglect as an isolated backyard dog.
(4) A fence is required for Waldo, with a 6 ft height strongly preferred.

 
 

WALDO'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 WALDO?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

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.