UPDATE 9.5.08 Just look at that picture of Belle with her kitty brother Arnie ... we'd say this girl is easy to get along with! Here's the latest in Belle's own words: I went out on a leash today and it was pretty cool. I tug a little, so foster mom is getting me a 'gentle lead' so I can learn leash manners. As you can see in my new photos, I get along great with my foster brothers. I have decided to adopt the little orange and white one as my new puppy. He's shaped funny and makes weird 'meow' noises but I like to nuzzle him and give him baths.

UPDATE 9.1.08 Foster mom's report just in - Belle has discovered FREEDOM!

Ok, we may need to revise Belle's "I am adjusting" profile to "World Sprinting Champion." I let her out into the back yard this morning and it was like setting off a starting gun, first sprinting from one end of the yard, all the way to the fence line, then sprinting back, then doing a half twist/flippy thing and back to the other end. I lost track at about 15 laps. My boy tried to keep up with her but flopped down after a couple of laps. She kept jumping over him or dashing to him to get him to get back up to play with her. Truly hilarious. I wish I had a video camera!

LOCATION: Kansas City
AGE: 12-18 mo yr

TEMPERAMENT: sweet as they come and tiny

BELLE is an absolutely adorable girl who is the smallest purebred german shepherd we've ever seen. She is not a dwarf gsd but is simply tiny. She weighed 42 lbs at intake and at full weight will probably not exceed 50-55 lbs. Belle would like to tell you her story herself.

Hello everyone. I know there are many, many homeless dogs and we all want a forever family. I really hope you'll consider adopting me, as I have so much life to live and so much love to give but never had the chance. U belonged to a human who kept me chained outside 24/7 and barely fed me. I had no shelter, food or water. So I was busy just surviving day to day.

When my "family" first brought me home and oohed and aahed over me, I thought I had it made. But all they did was throw me on a chain 24/7 in heat and cold and rain. No shelter, no food, no water. They had a male german shepherd who's a little unpredictable, but at least he got to go in the house sometimes wth my mom while I stayed outside on a heavy chain. It was horrible. I wouldn't wish such a life on my worst enemy.

But the male came out sometimes and I got pregnant and had puppies. They gave away most of my puppies but kept one male who was chained up outdoors with me 24/7 too. My heart breaks thinking of my baby still in those awful conditions. For some reason, those awfu humans were willing to give me up but not willing to give him up.

No one knows why I'm so tiny, but they think I was probably the runt of the litter and then was bred during my very first heat when I was still a pup myself. So if you've ever wanted a german shepherd but don't want a really big dog, I'm your girl. 'Cause I'm very small. Petite. Tiny.

Whatever you want to call it, it doesn't stop me from having a HUGE heart. My eyes popped out of my head and my heart pounded when rescuers came and got me and told me I would never be going back there again. But I really felt like I'd won the lottery when a lady took me to her home and I found out not everyone wants to chain me up and desert me. This lady and her family have fed me delicious food to fatten me up, played with me - and I had to LEARN what play is all about - loved on me, and watched over me.

I can't describe the feeling, but I want you to know it goes straight to the tips of my toes when I remember how it was and how it is now. And guess what? My foster mom and dad say it gets even BETTER when I get "adopted." I don't know what that is but I sooooooo want it.

I'm in great health and I'm a fighter so I don't let my prior life get me down. I have my face forward and am only interested in finding my forever family to spend the next 12-15 years with and love to death.

I'm not the rowdy type - mom taught me to be a lady - so am pretty quiet. I need a home that understands what I've been through and will be patient as I come out of my shell. I've just discovered these fabulous things called ‘toys’ and ‘treats’ and they are great!

I do better at first with women, but if you're a man that's quiet, patient, and kind I adjust quickly. Eventually I may be ok with young children but right now I need in home with no rowdy young children. I'd probably be okay with quiet, older children.

I love to cuddle, am learning how to play a little (who knew life could be so much fun?) and I get along well with laid-back dogs and with cats. Dogs that bark a lot and loud noises tend to scare me right now. My foster mom says I'll get over that though.

I'm learning what play is about and really like it... what fun! I love having a doggie buddy and a comfy, dry bed to sleep on and plenty of food to fill my belly. It makes me cry for joy!!

So I'm healthy and gorgeous and loving and looking for my family. ARE YOU IT? Do you want a fabulous companion, a german shepherd on the smaller side? I'm it. I have wonderful traits and have so much love to give all bottled up inside me that I'll learn housebreaking, tricks, commands, whatever you want. I just need some time and patience to understand that not all humans are unkind.

BELLE's adoption fee is $300.

FOR AN APPLICATION, call 816. 682-9435 or email mogsrescue@yahoo.com.

IF EMAIL: write "BELLE - application please" in the subject line

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING A HOMELESS DOG OR CAT.

OVER 4 MILLION INNOCENT DOGS AND CATS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR IN THE U.S. BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS THEM.

THOUSANDS OF WONDERFUL FAMILY DOGS AND CATS DIE EACH DAY IN OUR SHELTERS.

STOP THE SLAUGHTER.
DON'T BUY WHILE OTHERS DIE.