RICO is a big (90 lb) goofball who's full of energy and love -- and just waiting for a family to share it all with!

BACKGROUND
Rico and his sister Sheba were abandoned together on the side of a road.  The young owner's family had to leave their rental house after it was sold, and had tried to get the "twins" into a shelter.  But the shelter was full so in desperation the owner shoved them out of his car and left them on the side of a road.  At the last minute we were alerted to the situation, and instantly swung into action to try and find them.  We made after call, desperately trying to find out where the dogs had been left.  All we knew from a family member was a very broad area near major highways.  With our hearts in our throats thinking of these two youngsters -- out there alone in the dark, in a strange area, scared and confused after being forced out of the car and left behind -- it was all we could do not to cry.  We marshalled our volunteers and fellow rescuers, and with the help of one of the family members were able to get hold of both dogs.  Whew -- and thank heavens!  But in just the space of the 8+ hours Rico and Sheba were out, the bottoms of their paws had become degloved -- indicating that in their panic they had desperately tried to follow their owner's car and get home again.

PERSONALITY
Rico is a big boy with an exuberant personality!  He has lots of energy, tons of love, a  happy smile all the time, and a  zest for life.  He loves to play ball but isn't obsessive about it and will happily stop after a while to be with you.  He's very attached to his sister Sheba and tends to follow her around. He knows the "sit" command and is starting to learn to wait at doors, but he needs to learn everything else.  His leash manners are improving (we don't think he was ever taken on walks) but still need more work.  HOUSE MANNERS:  He's in boarding (due to lack of qualified foster homes), so we haven't seen him in a home setting and are unsure how good his house manners are.  He may or may not do things like chew, get into trash, jump on counters or grab food, etc., and his new family will need to set boundaries and rules, then enforce them. 

PEOPLE
Rico adores people and just wants to be with you.  He wants to please you and will bond quickly with his new family.  He's been in boarding for the short time he's been with us so we haven't seen him in a home setting yet, but aside from some initial confusion and barking at us on the first day he's welcomed everyone he's met.  KIDS:  because he's been in boarding we haven't seen him around young children yet.  We believe he will do well with well-behaved children who know how to respect dogs, and that the only problem will be that of any large, strong dog -- he may knock a small child over in play or just by running into them accidentally.  That requires training and supervision on the part of his new family.

OTHER ANIMALS
He adores being with his sister Sheba and the two are bonded.  He seems to get along with all the other dogs he's met and walked with so far, though his "manners" with new dogs are a little rough around the edges and he needs training to calm down some and be appropriate/respectful of the other dog's space.  He's used to roughhousing with his sister Sheba.  CATS:  he's met several cats in kennels at the boarding facility and although curious, he redirects easily.  We believe he is trainable with cats.  SMALL ANIMALS:  he's interested in squirrels and the like on walks, but not obsessively so.  Again we believe he's trainable. 

TRAINING
Rico needs the basics that all GSD youngsters need:  clear expectations and rules, with boundaries and leadership that enforces those boundaries.  He and his sister Sheba both seem to be extremely responsive to our direction and we think they'll be easily trained.  They only know one command (sit) and are learning a few others, but they clearly didn't have much/any trainingi previously and this is new to them.  They're extremely smart, want to please you, and are food motivated.

MEDICAL
He's a healthy young boy and ready to go home.  He's neutered, up to date on shots, been dewormed and is heartworm negative.  He has no known health issues.  

OVERALL
Rico is a gem and his new family is going to be v.e.r.y. lucky!  He's a friendly and well-tempered young boy who's just in need of guidance, rules, and training.  With good leadership, and the chance to mature under that leadership, he's going to grow into a spectacular companion.  


DOGS:                    Yes, he loves to play (plays rough), adores being with his sister
CATS:                     Initial cat testing shows him to be trainable -- he was easily redirected
KIDS:                     Unknown.  Would have to be tested.
IDEAL FAMILY:      An active family with a securely fenced yard, who will provide him (and hopefully his sister Sheba) with the exercise and training he needs to blossom into the amazing dog he really is.

 

RICO'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 RICO?
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.