SPECIAL NOTE:  Tucker will not be available for adoption until at least January 1st or perhaps beyond.  We are currently giving him hydrotherapy for his leg and he is doing well.  We are also having him checked for a possible inner ear problem at MU after Thanksgiving.  Tucker will remain in foster care while we sort these matters out and will be released for adoption when we're satisfied he's ready to go.

TUCKER is a gorgeous, irresistible little guy who is a total lovebug!  He’s sweet as all get out and a typical German Shepherd puppy:  headstrong and not afraid of anything, including giant dogs.  To meet him is to fall instantly in love with him. 

He’s full of life, vitality, play and devilment.  Tucker will need what all GSD puppies need:  strong leadership and great training, especially in his first 2 years of life.  In return, you will have a companion and protector for life!

Tucker has been through more than any puppy should. At just 5 weeks old, he was thrown out of a car in the parking lot of a high kill pound overnight.  The breeder apparently threw Tucker away because at just 5 weeks old he had been seriously injured:  he had a dislocated hip and an abraded wound that indicated he had been dragged.   The best guess as to what happened is that the puppies had been left unattended and Tucker was hit by some sort of vehicle and severely injured.  Instead of getting medical treatment, the breeder dumped him.  It’s a miracle in itself that this tiny little guy survived the night in a wooded area with many roaming animals!  In the morning when staff came to work and discovered this little guy, they got him right to the vet. 

The vet immediately diagnosed his injuries and tried to put the hip back in its socket.  But this only works if it's done immediately - and since the breeder chose not to seek medical attention for Tucker, it was now too late.  Had the breeder gotten Tucker to a vet immediately, the hip could have been put back in place. But now it wouldn't stay.  The vets concluded that the hip had been dislocated prior to his being dumped, the injury was therefore too old, and they would have to amputate his leg.  

Oddly, we were at the shelter that day to save another GSD (which we did) and in the process happened to hear a comment about this puppy.  We asked to see him, saw what was going on, and instantly committed to take him.  We immediately started burning up the phone lines talking to various vets to see if they had any ideas on whether his leg could be saved.  A flurry of phone calls later, we felt there was a strong possibility it could be.

The next morning we were at the shelter’s doors first thing, grabbed tiny Tucker and drove him 1.5 hours away to a wonderful vet who felt he could save Tucker's leg with an  operation called an FHO (femoral head osteotomy).  In this operation the head of the femur is removed and a “false joint” forms in its place.  This allows the dog to keep the leg and all that’s usually evident is a slight limp. 

We'll never forget that drive:  tiny Tucker refused to quiet down unless you kept at least one arm wrapped around him and touched him with gentle strokes.  He was so confused and frightened - unsupervised and badly injured, separated from his mom and siblings much too young, in a cage at a shelter and in pain.  He literally didn't know what was happening to him.  But as long as we kept our arms around him, he was quiet and content.  He fell asleep as if exhausted, and anytime we took our hands away even for a second he awoke and started crying.  It was heartbreaking. 

Tucker had surgery immediately.  He was a great little patient, and the entire vet staff fell instantly in love with our intrepid little guy who insisted on exploring every corner of the office.  He came through the operation with flying colors and then went to an incredible foster who already had one young foster dog recovering from an operation.  Mr. T was on crate rest for several weeks – and he didn’t like it one bit.  Have you ever tried to a keep a frisky puppy from playing?  Wow!  This is one dedicated foster family!   But Tucker made it through and the foster family is still sane.   Mr T slowly recovered and began playing like any puppy.  However, because Tucker is just a pup and still growing rapidly, his leg and joint still need attention such as certain exercises, massage, etc.  We're currentlly giving him both physical therapy and hydrotherapy.  He's also receiving some infrared laser treatments and he seems to love the soothing effect of the heat.  

Tucker has been technically released by the vet and cleared to get on with the rest of his life.   However, all potential adopters need to understand that he still needs to take it slowly.  He is not yet free to simply run hell-bent-for-leather like other puppies.  He's restricted to short play periods and 10 minute walks per day.  This is to allow his growing body to adjust properly without putting excessive stress on that leg /joint. 

So adorable, irresistible Mr. T is looking for that VERY special lifetime family who will make sure he never again gets in harm’s way – who will love him, help him through his rehab, and keep him safe for a lifetime. 

In return, Mr. T will be the light of your life and love you forever! 

Tucker is a typical strong-willed little German Shepherd guy:  likes to be pushy with other dogs if he's allowed to get away with it, and likes to chase cats if allowed to get away with it.  But he responds well to correction and is a fast learner.  Because he was separated from his litter much too young (at just 5 weeks old), he didn't learn all the appropriate play behavior, bite inhibition and other behaviors that puppies learn from their litter and mom between 6 and 8 weeks of age.  He's having to learn those things now.  He also is not fond of little humans (children) and tries to "protect" his adult humans from them.  We recommend a home with older children only while his dominant behaviors are trained and redirected.

HUGE THANKS TO DR. ROB SHIPMAN AND STAFF
AT GAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN TOPEKA, KS.  
Their work with Tucker was above and beyond, and
it’s only thanks to Dr. Rob that Tucker kept his leg and
will have a normal life! 
THANK YOU, DR. ROB AND
ALL THE WONDERFUL STAFF AT GAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL!

DOGS:   yes
CATS:     yes 
KIDS:    older children
IDEAL HOME:   an active family with older children only, who will love him and care for him forever.  A family with excellent canine leadership skills who are experienced with dominant traits in German Shepherds and able to train and redirect these tendencies appropriately.  A doggie companion or two would be a huge plus.   A family with the patience to help Tucker through this first year of life when he most needs some physical rehab and at the same time will provide him the firm leadership that all strong-willed young German Shepherds need. 

If you're looking for a fabulous little boy who's just itching to get on with life
-- a survivor who will love you madly forever --
and are able and willing to provide both great leadership and some simple rehab,
TUCKER is your dream dog in the flesh!

TUCKER's ADOPTION FEE:   $350
This fee covers only part of what we spend on vetting and boarding the dogs we save, and has not changed in 7 years despite dramatic hikes in vet and boarding prices.  Our average cost per dog is now over $450.   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 and microchip.  In many cases it also includes surgery, bloodwork, X-rays, and treatment and medications for conditions such as thyroid, ear infections, eye problems, skin conditions and many others.  

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IN TUCKER'S CASE. 

We spent $1,100 on Tucker's surgery alone, and by the time we finish his other vetting it will be over $1,300.

YOUR GENEROSITY WILL ALLOW US TO SAVE THE NEXT TUCKER WHO NEEDS OUR HELP.

INTERESTED IN ADOPTING TUCKER?
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