COTTON is a an absolutely gorgeous girl who, at 2 yrs old, found herself homeless and in a shelter.  She's a striking girl who gets 'oooh's' and 'aaaaah's' wherever you go, and she's on the hunt for a forever family who will love and care for her forever!

BACKGROUND
Cotton's owner left her at the shelter saying she was having surgery and couldn't take care of her during recovery. We were wondering about that but quickly discovered why:  Cotton was completely untrained and a wild young lady!  She jumped on everyone, charged out doors, chewed some things up and all the things a big, young, untrained GSD will do.  It also seems that she was isolated --  probably kept in the house and yard, never walked (she had no leash manners), and never exposed to the world outside her home. 

PERSONALITY
She's one of the most cuddly, loving dogs we've had in a long time.  She's like big white fluffy stuffed animal, except of course she's a lot bigger and weighs a lot more.  ;-)  She desperately wants to please her humans!  When she first came to us, she was terrified and would back away from strangers in fear, growling.  But now that she's been with us a while, despite the fact that it's in boarding, she seems to have gotten past that fear and greets everyone with tail wags, butt wiggles and head ducks.  She lives for her three-times-a-day visits from our volunteers.  Everyone is madly in love with this big cuddlebug! 

She keeps a very clean kennel with only a rare accident, and we think that once in a home again she'll adjust quickly to your schedule.  She's very energetic and will run full tile in the yard, whether it's chasing a ball or just running for the joy of it or running around with you.  She still needs to learn the rules of "gentle play" and may occasionally run at you full tilt, but that's part of her training that she never got and will be easily trained with consistency.  She's already much better about it than when she first came to us -- she learns well and quickly.

PEOPLE / KIDS
She loves, loves, LOVES people!  She's a people girl to the core and is so eager for your attention and approval that it almost breaks your heart.  Sometimes she'll even drop to the floor and do a little submissive peeing, but we think that's a result of being in boarding more than anything.  She'd definitely be a lap dog (a big one!) if you let her be.  She's a cuddler and adores any kind of scratches, pets, and belly rubs.  We haven't seen her around young kids and would need to test that, but we believe her only issue around them would be just that she's big and rambunctious, and could easily knock a small child over by accident -- the same issue all larger, energetic dogs have. 

OTHER ANIMALS
DOGS:  For now Cotton needs to be either an only dog, or on a "crate-and-rotate" basis with another dog who is submissive and non-threatening.  This is the main area where Cotton needs patience and socialization.  She's reactive to other dogs, but the signs indicate that it's mostly a result of her prior isolation and never having been around other dogs.  We've walked her at safe distances with another dog and she is doing a little better.  We believe she can learn to live with another dog eventually, but it will take time and training to get her there.  She has a lot of energy and we think she would enjoy a play buddy once she's comfortable with other dogs and has learned they're "safe"
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CATS:  She doesn't seem to be bothered by cats (see video) so could probably live with an indoor cat. She sniffed the cat but didn't try to nip or chase, was almost disinterested. 

HEALTH
Cotton is healthy and ready to go home!  She's spayed, up to date on shots, and microchipped.  No known health conditions.

TRAINING
Even though Cotton is in boarding, we've managed to start her training on some basics.  She can "sit,"  and can "wait" at doors when reminded.  She's super smart (she's started eyeing the latch on her kennel door, which is now locked).  She's also food motivated.  And she wants badly to please you.  Those 3 things means she'll be pretty easy to train, with consistency and boundaries that are enforced.

SUMMARY
Cotton is super-loving and would love to cuddle with you. play with you, and generally be your BFF.  She must have a securely fenced yard to run around in and get her energy out, and would love to have as many humans to love on as possible.  She needs training, structure, and consistency, so her new family will need to invest some time and training to make up for what she didn't get in her first home.  A moderately to very active family is best.  For now she needs to be an only dog or be on a crate-and-rotate schedule with a submissive, non-threatening dog.  She appears to be trainable with cats.




COTTON'S ADOPTION FEE:   $350
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 COTTON?
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.