ACE is a STUNNING red-and-black German Shepherd older gentleman!  He's has a plush coat and is a beefy boy who makes most people go "wow!' at first sight.  WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED GSD OWNER OR FOSTER HOME for this brilliant boy!

BACKGROUND
Ace was a stray in a bad part of town and was in horrific shape.  He was nothing but a bone, his gorgeous coat was matted and knotted to the skin, he was filthy, his back end was way down, and he was heartworm positive.  He didn't like humans and we weren't sure if he liked other dogs.  Tis gorgeous guy was one hot mess! He had been an outdoor dog all his life, was severely neglected, starved and isolated from both people and other animals.  He had learned only one thing:  to distrust humans.  We cried many tears and many nights for what Ace had had to endure.

PERSONALITY
Ace has been a slow and challenging rehab case for us.  Due to lack of qualified foster homes, he's been in boarding for the two years he's been with us. The facility is wonderful and the staff is fantastic with strong training capabilities, but the very nature of boarding makes rehab slower and longer.  But we don't give up easily, and we never gave up on him because we saw that he could make progress, even if excruciatingly slow. Today Ace is ready for his very own home, but due to his background he still needs a VERY SPECIAL home and family.

Ace ADORES attention -- he loves have his butt rubbed or ears scratched, to be on the couch with you and cuddle or play, etc.  He loves walks and does well on them.  He likes to chase squirrels but is correctable. He also seems to want something in his mouth a lot of the time, and our educated guess is that the only thing he could do to stay sane in those bad years of neglect was to use his mouth to play, distract himself, and keep himself busy.  That also means that he's still somewhat 'mouthy' so his new family must be familiar with that and patiently continue to redirect him. 

He also needs proper and slow introductions to new people.  He's much improved but still needs for strangers to respect his space and ignore him until he initiates contact.  His new family absolutely must monitor new introductions so that people don't run up to him and try to hug him.  With additional time and patient effort from his new family, he'll get past this last part of his rehab and be an absolutely fantastic dog. 

Ace can also be quite the funny guy despite his years of abuse.  For instance, he has two best friends in boarding:  another MOGS GSD -- and a tiny chihuahua mix!  Go figure.  Then there's the fact that when he's out in the big dog play group, he tries to hide behind a human's legs and it's comical to see this big galumph doing that.  And did we mention he has THE most adorable floppy ear on his left side?  Or that he carries his empty food bowl in his mouth when he's in his run, banging into the walls with it? 

The trainer at his boarding facility summed it up perfectly when she recently said "He's become my favorite shepherd!"  High praise for this unique and special guy.  HE'LL STEAL YOUR HEART!

HIS NEW FAMILY
His new family must be all adults as due to his background of abuse and the need to go slowly with him, kids are not appropriate.  You must also be experienced BOTH with GSDs AND abused dogs. You must be patient enough to go very slowly with him as you begin to bond and develop the relationship -- and give him the time to trust you completely.  He is still somewhat mouthy and we still go slowly in clipping his leash onto his collar and putting anything new over his head.  But once he bonds with you, you'll be able to do anything with him.  He suffered hugely in his prior life, and he must have a family who respects him enough to do what he needs to complete his transition to loved, indoor dog.

PEOPLE
Ace's main issue when he came to us from the shelter was that he believed all humans were going to hurt him -- and he was aggressive.  Initially only one or two people could handle him.  With time and hard work, he was gradually able to be around strangers but only as long as one of his known handlers was there to ''approve''.  He then graduated to being around a few more people.  And so on.  It's been an incredible process, slow and long.  But today Ace is good around most people and accepts them, even wanting pets from strangers.  However, he must be the one to initiate the contact, not the stranger.  This is the reason Ace needs an owner who is experienced in two things:  first, with GSDs and second, with dogs who have previously been mistreated/isolated and can be reactive to humans.

OTHER DOGS / ANIMALS
Ace is out in play groups at the boarding  kennel, and actually prefers the small dog play group.  His best bud there is a tiny chihuahua mix!  It appears the he relates well to their energy level, which isn't overwhelming to a dog his size who was never around other large dogs and didn't learn to play rough.  However, he gets along with the other large dogs in one's or two's, where they don't overwhelm him.  Cats are unknown and would have to be tested.
PREY DRIVE:  he wants to chase squirrels and other small wild animals.

HEALTH
Ace is in great health now, after two years of rehab.  He's neutered, up to date on shots, is heartworm negative, microchipped.  He's now standing straight and tall due to extensive exercise and rehab.  We're thrilled that he's become a healthy, happy guy.

REQUIREMENTS
Ace MUST have:

1. a securely fenced yard
2. a doggiei buddy (small or large)
3. an all-adult household must be all-adult, no children
4. a family who understands and practices patience and slow trust-building
5. most of all, a family experienced with BOTH abused dogs AND GSDs.  They must be saavy, supremely patient, willing and able to go slow, SLOW, S.L.O.W. to help him get to through the final phase of his rehab. 

*** Ace is currently in boarding due to a lack of qualified foster homes!  He MUST have an experienced GSD foster Email  mogsfostermgr@gmail.com if you can help! ***

If you're looking for a stunning, mature, supremely wonderful  German Shepherd to bond with forever,
AND YOU ARE EXPERIENCED WITH GSDs & ABUSED DOGS,
ACE may be your heart dog!

ACE'S ADOPTION FEE:   $200
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 ACE?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Not Good with Cats, Is Not Good with Kids

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.