VALENTINE is a classic black-and-tan German Shepherd beauty who's been through a tough time in her first few years of life.  And now she's ready and eager to meet a new family who will be her lifetime angels, her forever people, and the loves of her life.

BACKGROUND
As a youngster she was hit by a car but her owner couldn't afford vet care.  She was taken in by a good Sam, who made sure she got the care she needed and then kept her in their own family.  Unfortunately, they weren't aware of GSD personalities and behaviors, and were unable to train her appropriately.  After several years, they decided she wasn't a good fit for their family due to her GSD protectiveness and an attempted bite when someone she didn't know walked in the house unannounced and tried to approach one of the family.  Valentine was undersocialized and her natural protective tendencies had not been redirected/corrected.  They felt it was better for her to go to a rescue that was able to help socialize her and work with her. 

Unfortunately, she’s been in boarding since coming to us, due to lack of qualified foster homes.  And while she’s doing well in doggie play groups, etc., boarding is not a home – and Valentine very much deserves and needs a foster or adoptive home!!

PERSONALITY
Valentine is a loving and crazy-smart girl who bonds hard with her family and loves you completely.  She’ll follow you around (typical GSD), wants to be with you and keep an eye on you.  She adores belly rubs, is great on walks, and loves to play with other dogs – she just loves life!   She's also got a ton of energy and is a fetch-aholic.  She loves to play fetch and frisbee.  She likes treats, but tennis balls and frisbees are truly the way to her heart.  She can be protective of her space and the people she loves, so she needs a home with a family who will keep her well socialized and will introduce her to new people the right way.  HOUSE MANNERS:  she did well in her home.  She’s house trained and crate trained.  She was reported as being non-destructive in the house.

ENERGY LEVEL
High.  She adores playing and goofing around with the other dogs.  She must have a strong dose of daily hard play, exercise (not just ‘walking’ but hard play), and both physical and mental stimulation.

OTHER ANIMALS
Valentine loves other big dogs! She’s got a lot of big dog friends in boarding/doggie day care, and loves to wrestle and play chase with them. Her trainer has actually started using her to temperament test new big dogs because she (a) does not react much to rude behavior from other dogs and (b) has great recall.  Her new family MUST have a play buddy of roughly her own size (large), energy level (high) and play style (roughhousing)! 

SMALL DOGS:  She was reported to be aggressive to a small dog in the home but the two were kep separated due to the small dog's incontinence and only had contact through a kennel barrier. She has been introduced to a small dog at boarding and did well.  However, we don’t really recommend small dogs and would want to carefully evaluate her with any smaller animals in her new home. 

CATS:   No cats.

PEOPLE
HER FAMILY:  She loves her family!  Her people are her pack and she’ll follow you everywhere.  She’s a lover and a fun-loving, playful, rub-my-belly girl to people she knows.

STRANGERS:  This is the one area where Valentine’s family absolutely must continue the work we’ve begun with her.  In her prior home, she seldom met new people and wasn’t socialized, so she became reactive to new people – especially in “her” home or yard.   This frequently happens when GSDs or any dog with protective tendencies is isolated:  they become territorial, protectors of the only life they know (family, house, yard).  Even though she’s in boarding due to lack of qualified foster homes, she’s actually improved a good deal because she’s been meeting far more people and getting proper introductions.  The key is for someone she knows and trusts to introduce her properly to new people.  She’s done fine when introduced properly by someone she knows – go slowly, ignore her at first, let her understand that her person ‘approves’ of the stranger, and then throw a ball for her.  She just doesn’t react well to being surprised by new people coming into her space unannounced, but she does fine as long as someone she knows and trusts introduces her – and she’ll befriend new people quickly if they are kind enough to throw a ball for her:) 

KIDS:  Older kids ages 15 and up.  Valentine has met a few young kids and has done well, but for the sake of caution would prefer a home with kids or an adults-only home.

HEALTH 
No known health conditions. Spayed, up to date on shots, microchipped. 

“MUSTS” FOR HER NEW FAMILY
Must have a securely fenced yard with a minimum 5’ fence and 6’ strongly preferred.  Must be an active family who will exercise, play with, and stimulate her daily.  Must have at least one other dog who is roughly her own size, energy level and play style.  MUST ACTIVELY SOCIALIZE her, particularly in the next 12 months, to counteract the lack of socialization in her first few years. This sweet, loving girl needs to be shown that the world around her can be a fun place!  MUST HAVE EXCELLENT CANINE LEADERSHIP SKILLS – can and will set rules and expectations, establish and enforce boundaries, educate her, be consistent, firm, loving, patient, willing to take the time and make the effort to help her past the misdirected protectionism to strangers that her prior owners didn’t know how to train, and willing to learn anything they (the family) need to in order to accomplish that.

SUMMARY
Valentine is a very special girl who has come a long way in a short time, and all while in boarding at that!  She’s super smart, loves life, adores her people, loves playing with other large dogs, and loves to learn and discover new things every day.  She’ll bond strongly with you and give you ten times the amount of love you give her!  She has a big, fun personality and in the right home she will thrive!

 

VALENTINE'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 VALENTINE?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Is Not 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.