More Information:

SAMMIE is a gorgeous and super sweet young man who loves people and gets along with everyone else, too!  He’s lived with farm animals from chickens to cats to horses and other dogs and does great.  We originally saved Sammie from a horrible pound in late 2008 and adopted him out to a wonderful couple starting their dream farm.  Tragically, due to circumstances beyond their control, they lost their farm and Sammie is once again looking for a forever home.

Sammie’s former owners describe him this way.

Sammie is not an alpha dog by any means, he is a lover not a fighter, and has gotten along with every dog and cat and farm animal he has met, which has been a lot!  He has a great personality and is so happy being loved and part of a family. He has really been a wonderful dog, we are heartbroken we are not going to be able to keep him.  Sammie is a very sweet boy, he rarely barked at anyone for the whole first year he was here. He now barks excitedly when people come to visit, and runs out to greet them!  He is never aggressive and does not growl, has never snapped at anyone.  He loves people and loves attention!!  He’s great with kids and adults alike, although he is clumsy and tends to step on your feet, lean into you heavily, and likes to mouth everything—he’s still young after all!!  He’s very oral and has lots of toys, will lick and mouth your hands and feet if you let him, and loves to chew on plastic as well as socks and napkins/tissues but will drop the inappropriate items when commanded.  We have never had a problem with Sammie running off, he does not climb or dig or go under anything. He is very easy to contain and walks well on the leash, but we have not trained him to heel.  He has never counter-surfed or gotten into the trash, he does not drink from the toilet or bother the cat litter boxes, and he will eat anything you give him or that gets dropped on the floor.  He’s a love.”

Sammie is house trained and knows commands like "Drop", "Sit", "Come", "Inside", and "Back" and others.  He has stayed in a boarding kennel from time to time and does extremely well.  He was crate trained but has not had to be in the crate since several weeks after he was adopted so may need a refresher.  Sammie ADORES car rides, is great in public, and loves going to the park and the dog park. 

Sammie is sooooo close to being the perfect dog.   The one issue he has is medical.  Overall he’s in great health but does have a condition called “Wobbler’s”.  This is a condition in which the dog or cat sometimes “wobble”.  Their gait and balance is affected.  Vets don’t know what causes Wobblers and think it could as diverse as poor nutrition or a neck injury.  

As with all conditions, there are varying degrees of severity.  Sammie’s condition is mild.  Sammie has actually become even steadier in his walking and running over the last 1.5 years with his family.  He now goes up and down stairs just fine, although he shouldn't be rushed.  He runs, walks and trots with the best of them – his former mom said that several times he just about outpaced their other German Shepherd who was young and fast! 

In Sammie’s case, his mild Wobbler’s does two things. 

First, it means his gait looks more like prancing when he runs, trots or walks (it’s lovely to watch). 

Second, it means he’s unsteady when he stands on 3 legs or tries to make a really fast turn in mid-run.  For instance, when he scratches himself while standing, or you scratch his favorite spot while he’s standing, he’ll sometimes lose his balance and fall.  But he walks, trots, runs, climbs stairs, jumps onto low surfaces like a couch or chair, and jumps right into a regular car. The up side is that he doesn’t jump on your visitors and he doesn’t try to wiggle under fences or through small openings  ;-) 

He loves car rides and will happily go in a truck, he just needs a hand getting in and out of high vehicles (many dogs do).  He uses a body harness instead of a neck collar because neck collars can pull Wobblers dogs off balance.  He walks very well on leash, his leash is just attached to his harness.  He is also fed from a tall feeding station (so common today for large dogs) to avoid any possible neck strain.  The only ongoing cost of this condition is a daily gluclosamine / chondroitin supplement he gets.  They’re inexpensive tablets given with each meal and many dogs today get these because they help joints stay supple. 

Sammie would make an ideal THERAPY DOG!!!  He's a great ambassador and loves everyone.  He should not be crated for long hours at a time, as that tends to make his joints somewhat stiff.  He would love a family that will be around a good deal, and/or to have a sizable area to stay in when he’s home alone so he can get up and walk around.  He is housetrained, but because he previously spent most of his time with his farm family, he may need a refresher course if his new family is gone long hours at a time.

If you're looking for a beautiful dog with a fabulous personality,
and understand that Wobbler’s is easy to deal with,
SAMMIE will light up your life!

SAMMIE's adoption fee is $300.00.

This fee covers only part of the vet and boarding expenses for the dogs we save.  At minimum it includes spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming and microchip.

Interested in adopting SAMMIE?
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