HANDSOME REX is an energetic young (2.5 yr old) bi-color GSD who adores people, loves affection, has good house manners, is crate and house trained, would love to cuddle with you, needs a doggie playmate, and is looking for a fur-ever family to love and be loved by!  This little guy's enthusiasm for life -- he greets each day with joy -- will make you smile.

BACKSTORY
He originally came to MOGS in April 2019 as a 10 month old.  He was an emergency intake when we got an urgent message about a different dog -- and arrived at the shelter to find Rex had just been brought in with two badly broken legs. He'd been broadsided by a hit-and-run driver and left in a ditch to die.

We instantly consulted with our vet and an orthopedic surgeon.  The surgeon quickly developed a plan:  Rex would have a 4 hour surgery to try and repair both legs at once.  He had 4 separate breaks in his back leg and a badly broken shoulder in the front.  He needed immediate emergency surgery and even then the outcome would be uncertain.

We waded through City Animal Control regulations that prevented Rex from leaving for 5 days (too late for surgery), got an exception, and rushed Rex into surgery within 24-hours.  He was full of pins and wires, and his rehab was long and incredibly difficult.  He had large surgical incisions, 100 staples, kennel cough that morphed into pneumonia, a serious post-op infection that hung on for months, surgical pins breaking through his skin, multiple vet trips to trim pins and re-secure his incision, strict 24/7 crate rest for 3 months, wearing a cone for 3 months, continuous sedation to keep him still, and recovery from long-term starvation.  Whew!!

His physical rehab took 6 months.  Then we invested another 6 months in his training -- he had been a badly neglected outdoor dog, and at 10 months old he had zero manners and boundaries.  He had a lot to learn -- and learn it he did.

After a full year of hard work, we adopted him to a loving home with another playful dog.  Sadly, after 7 months he was returned to us because the adopters -- though they loved him -- had discovered that a GSD is just more dog than they want, particularly a young and energetic one.

PERSONALITY
He's a handsome, young, energetic goofball.  He loves people, including kids, adores attention and affection, and is a cuddler.  He's also a goofy young man who will keep you endlessly entertained -- he loves to dive in piles of leaves in the fall, romp around the yard, and all kinds of funny, silly things. He loves life and greets each morning with a smile and great expectations.

Like most GSDs, he can be a bit stubborn but has learned to accept human leadership and is getting better about that as he matures.   He came to MOGS with no understanding of basic dog manners or boundaries -- he was the equivalent of an eight week old puppy in a 10-month old body,  He had to learn e.v.e.r.y. s.i.n.g.l.e. t.h.i.n.g. from scratch.  He used to chew on everything but that’s largely over now.  He's crate trained and house trained, and has good house manners.  He’s learned to be ‘polite’ and well-mannered most of the time and is turning into a wonderful young adult. 

Rex is super, super sweet and loving towards people of all ages and size. He loves to give kisses and show you how excited he is.  He’s still a little bit mouthy when excited, but he's made huge progress and that's almost done. 

PEOPLE / KIDS
Rex has been good in interactions with people of all ages, and greets strangers as if they're new playmates.  KIDS:  due to his energy level, we would recommend older kids but will consider this on a case-by-case basis.  His family must understand that like any large dog, he can easily knock a small child over just in play and, like all large dogs, should be supervised around small kids.

OTHER DOGS
Rex's new family MUST have a medium or large dog who loves to play and will be Rex's brother/sister. He's still a puppy in many ways, has lots of energy, and must have a playmate in the home.  He plays like a typical GSD (a bit rowdy) and needs a dog who plays much the same way.  He gets along with female dogs and many male dogs, but we do not recommend another dominant male. 

CATS:  he's curious but not aggressive, and is trainable.  A cat test in Jan. 2021 (see video) showed that, like many young dogs, he just needs to be taught the boundaries and how to be gentle with them.

PREY DRIVE:  Rex has a normal prey drive and likes to chase squirrels, etc. 

TRAINING
He’s had a good deal of training, and is super smart so has done very well.  However, because he’s still in the last stage of GSD puppy-dom, he has his moments.  For that reason he needs a family who will set and enforce boundaries and rules, and be consistent in educating him on those and holding him to them.  He’s maturing well and simply needs continued good leadership.  He knows commands such as “sit”, “down”, “wait” etc although like a true puppy he doesn’t always like doing them.

MEDICAL
Rex is in excellent health, neutered, micro-chipped, and up-to-date on shots.  People who meet him can’t believe he ever had anything wrong with his legs – he runs, jumps, plays, takes stairs at a gallop, and has healed completely. 

IDEAL FAMILY
Strong canine leaders who are active, have a securely fenced yard, and have another playful medium-to-large dog as a playmate. 

If you're looking for a handsome, young, trainable furball
who will make you smile every day and love you madly,
REX is waiing for you too!

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