COSMO's story will make you cry -- and then make you cheer.  This old boy is a true fighter who will steal your heart and show you what it means to grow old with spirit!

BACKGROUND
Just after New Year's, a kind woman driving through a rough part of town saw him in the street.  He was dragging himself along, almost completely unable to walk, staggering, stumbling, every bone showing even from a distance, horrible skin.  She stopped, lifted him into her car, and took him to a shelter.  After examining  poor Cosmo, shelter staff reluctantly decided the most humane thing would be to put him down.  THey sadly scheduled euthanasia for the next day, but they were in for a surprise when they came back the next morning.  There was Cosmo in his kennel, standing as best he could, barking, bright-eyed, and showing a lot of spirit.  He wanted out!  He had no intention of giving up!  So shelter staff called MOGS and we said “Yes!”   We placd him in a loving foster home, but unfortunately he clashed with another male GSD in the home and we had to put him in boarding.  He’s done well there but he really, really needs and wants to be in a real home!!  He deserves a comfy place to spend his final days in a long life.

TEMPERAMENT
This old boy is amazing!  Even though he’s 12+ yrs old and his back end is getting weak, he absolutely adores trotting around the yard and sniffing – and going for fast walks.  He loves people, attention, and a soft bed.  He needs a home with a fenced yard to wander, few or no stairs (can do 3-4 stairs for now), and where someone can let him out to potty mid-day (keeps a clean kennel in boarding but can’t quite make it all day).  He’ll reward you by showing you how a real fighter handles old age – living it to the fullest!

PEOPLE
He loves being around people!  He even likes to eat while you're there with him.  He craves company and being part of a human family.  We haven't seen him around kids and would need to test that, but we believe he'll do fine.  We recommend older kids only just because he's a senior and may not appreciate small kids pulling or tugging on him.

OTHER ANIMALS
We think Cosmo was probably an only pet all his life and was never socialized around other dogs.  He was briefly in a foster home but he and the other male in the home clashed, and we had to move Cosmo to boarding.  He has a strong prey drive, so no cats or small dogs.

MEDICAL
What can we say - he's an oldster with an oldster's mobility challenges.  He has several things going on that can not be corrected but can be managed (arthritis, spondylosis, minor dyplasia).  Managing these means using a good joint supplement, and at some point in the future he may need pain meds.  Cosmo has in fact shown amazing resilience!  He now loves walks and goes fast.  He loves trotting around the yard.  He loves going to the fence and barking at passing animals.  He's built up some backend muscle since being with us (getting both nutrition and exercise) and that's helped a lot.  He's also gained weight and is nutritionally sound now.   PLEASE NOTE:  he is not neutered and will not be due to the risks of surgery at his age.

COSMO'S FUTURE
Cosmo is a "hospice" dog -- he needs a home to spend the last part of his life in.  There is no way to tell how long he has, it could be weeks or months or even a year or two.  We're looking for that special family with a truly huge heart who love the beauty, wisdom, and grace of a senior dog -- and feel blessed to be his angel. 

 

DOGS:                  Needs to be an only pet.  We know for sure that he doesn't do
                              well with other males.  We haven't had the ability to test him with females. 
                              No small dogs due to prey drive.
CATS:                    No.  Has strong prey drive.
KIDS:                    Older kids only
HOME NEEDED:  1.  securely fenced so he can wander and sniff 
                              2.  few to no stairs (he can currently handle 3-4 stairs) 
                              3.  ability to let him out midday (is house trained but can't quite hold it all day)
                              4.  only pet



COSMO's ADOPTION FEE:   $100 
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 COSMO?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Not Good with Cats

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.