MAC is a stunner!  He's a plush-coat white German Shepherd -- and they don't come along very often.  He's in a foster home with another GSD and a small child, and is loving it!  He's a little shy and uncertain right now, because his whole world has changed, but with continued leadership and another dog to build his confidence he's going to be an almost perfect dog.

BACKGROUND
Mac is yet another victim of the pandemic, bought in the early days of it and never exposed to much of anything or taught anything.  He was found stray in a bad part of town for pets and ended up at a local shelter, where he was found to have a microchip.  But the chip wasn’t registered and no one bothered to report him missing or claim him.

PERSONALITY
Mac is super sweet, and right now is very timid.  He was most likely a Christmas puppy in 2019, and then became a pandemic victim.   He is mild-mannered and gentle, but clearly wasn't socialized at all and is unfamiliar with the "outside" world -- he was terrified in boarding (where he initially spent a few weeks).  He's stolen the hearts of shelter staff as well as our volunteers who took care of him each day in boarding.  He’s gentle despite his confusion and timidity.  The confusion in his eyes grabs at your heart, knowing that his entire world has been turned upside down and he feels completely lost and at sea. But he's adjusting very well in his foster home, and leaning so much about 'normal' life in a family. 

In boarding he was reluctant about meeting new people and will initially backed up and tried to remove himself from the situation.  But all you had to do was go slowly, speak gently, and not force him, and he warmed up quickly.  Hint:  he loves turkey meatballs!  Now that he's in a foster home, he's adjusting quickly, but will still need some socialization and getting-used-to things he's never seen, heard or experienced before. His whole world since he was a puppy has been one of isolation and his current idea of safety is just starting to become normal.  So his new family will have an incredible dog, and all they need to do is continue exposing him to real life and help him finish  overcoming his shyness.

It's unfortunate that Mac and so many other dogs were victims of the pandemic. Despite the lockdown, there were still opportunities to walk in the park or on trails, go through drive-throughs, etc. and get used to the big wide world.  But it appears none of that happened because even the noises and experience of walking have been largely new to him.  New/ loud/ unexpected noises still scare him and his instinct is to bolt.  So at first in a new home/environment his new family should consider him a flight risk initially, though we suspect for only a very short time!  He's coming along rapidly in his foster home!

He’s still learning about new people right now, too. 

Mac will be a stunning and wonderful young man once he gets past his uncertainty and learns that the world around him is a fun, loving, warm place.  His new family will need a healthy dose of patience and gentleness to help him progress at his own pace, slowly and without forcing him.  He needs confidence-building and socialization.  And he needs to learn to trust his new family.

In other words, it will take a little bit of time for him to truly blossom into the great dog he is.  And that will take a family with both a bit of patience and good leadership skills.

HOUSE MANNERS
He’s doing very well in his foster home!  He isn't destructive except when in his  kennel -- he likes to chew on any bedding so he doesn't get any.  That may settle down along with everything else, because we think it's probably concern on his part that his foster mom won't return (now that he's got a great home situation at the foster home).  The foster mom works from home and has a small child, and reports that the only issue is the same one any large dog has:  he can accidentally knock over the small child just by running or playing. 

PEOPLE
Still a bit reluctant around new people, but much improved since being in his foster home. He's a bit more so around men, which usually indicates that a man has not treated him well in the past.

OTHER ANIMALS
During initial dog testing at the shelter, Mac was dog social.  And he met his foster sibling, another male GSD, and was immediately buddies.  Cats are currently unknown.

TRAINING
Mac is a smart boy who's now focused on learning a lot.  He’s still trying to figure out the upheaval in his world and what’s happened to him, but he's loving life in his foster home with normal interactions, and is starting to learn commands.  As he starts to feel secure and safe, he's going to be a truly incredible dog -- sweet, gentle, loving.  He's already all those things, he's just going through the transition from pandemic isolation to normal life.  He's doing very well at learning commands and will be easily trained.

HEALTH
No known health issues.  Neutered, up to date on shots, microchipped, on monthly preventives, heartworm negative.

Only one lucky family is going to add this stunning boy to their family and be loved by him!  Is that YOU?  Do you have the patience, and the skill or ability to learn how to help him emerge from his timidity?  Apply today!  HE NEEDS YOU!

 


MAC'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 MAC?
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.